STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3102

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1916

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1916, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prepare for an expected increase in individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Executive Office on Aging to annually update the State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (State Plan);

 

     (2)  Requiring the Executive Office on Aging to include a work plan specifying the tasks, timelines, and milestones for each goal of the State Plan as part of the State Plan's annual update; and

 

     (3)  Appropriating funds for the Executive Office on Aging to update the State Plan.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; Hawaii Public Health Association; Ohana Home Health, LLC; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Manoa Cottage; and seven individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

 

     Your Committee finds that Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.  Your Committee further finds that an estimated twenty-seven thousand individuals in Hawaii live with Alzheimer's disease, and that this number is expected to grow to thirty-five thousand by 2025.  However, the Executive Office on Aging has not updated the State Plan since it was issued in 2013.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that regular updates of the State Plan will ensure accountability and progress in addressing the needs of the aging population of the State.

 

     Although regular updates to the State Plan are important, your Committee recognizes the burden that annual updates may impose on the Executive Office on Aging.  Your Committee finds that biennial updates are sufficient to ensure the necessary systemic coordination, provided that the Executive Office on Aging includes updates on progress made toward the goals of the State Plan as part of its existing annual report to the Legislature.  Your Committee finds that this will reduce the burden on the Executive Office on Aging while still accomplishing the purpose of this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requiring that the Executive Office on Aging update the State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias once every fiscal biennium, rather than every year;

 

     (2)  Requiring that the Executive Office on Aging provide an update on progress made toward the goals of the State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias as part of its annual report to the Legislature, rather than as a separate report to the Legislature and Governor;

 

     (3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2018; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1916, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1916, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair