STAND. COM. REP. NO. 9

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 248

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 248 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to create a demonstration project, from 2006 to 2009, within the Department of Health (DOH) that will reimburse at-home, long-term family caregivers of functionally dependent or cognitively impaired relatives.

The Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Kokua Council, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, ILWU Local 142, and an individual from the community testified in support of this bill. DOH testified in opposition to this measure. The Department of Taxation provided comments.

Your Committee finds that long-term care in Hawaii is frequently provided by family members. For many, this care is provided at a considerable cost to the individual, including out-of-pocket expenses and lost employment opportunities. Your Committee notes that concerns were raised as to eligibility requirements for reimbursement, and recommends that discussion continue on the issues of project guidelines and limitations.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 248 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Human Services.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair