STAND. COM. REP. NO. 290

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1508

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1508 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES AND HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide additional funding for the Kupuna Care program.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, AARP Hawaii, Lanakila Pacific, Child & Family Service, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Project Dana, and fifteen individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the elderly population in Hawaii is one of the fastest growing in the country.  The number of persons over age sixty-five is increasing rapidly and is projected to increase by eight-six percent between 2007 and 2030.

 

     Your Committee further finds that because Hawaii's culture and values revolve around family, most caregiving of the elderly in Hawaii is provided by family members.  Approximately 169,000 family caregivers form the backbone of Hawaii's long-term care system, and currently provide over $1,000,000,000 a year in unpaid care.  Financial stability and the burden of providing care are the main issues for the elderly and their caregivers and families, and your Committee recognizes that they need help in the form of respite and other services.

 

     Your Committee also finds that the Kupuna Care program is a home- and community-based program designed to address the increased need for affordable long-term care and the desire by many kupuna to remain in the community.  The goal of Kupuna Care is to give Hawaii's older adults access to affordable and quality home- and community-based services that are client-centered and family-supportive, allowing the elderly to live with independence and dignity.

 

     Your Committee further finds that the Kupuna Care program is directed at serving those who fall through the gaps in coverage or eligibility for essential services.  It provides a safety net to prevent institutionalization and support seniors in their homes.  The waitlist for Kupuna Care services continues to grow as the senior population in Hawaii increases.

 

     Your Committee finds that funding for Kupuna Care services is of vital importance, as these services target the most isolated and vulnerable seniors in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee notes that an additional $3,500,000 is needed for Kupuna Care, and your Committee recommends that an appropriation of this amount be added to the base budget of Kupuna Care to allow the program to continue meeting the needs of the senior community.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1508 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair