STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2643

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2340

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2340 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for an outreach program in the Department of Health to inform physicians and appropriate non-physician practitioners participating in Medicare that comprehensive care planning services for those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is a covered benefit under Medicare.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Psychological Association; Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease in America. In 2019, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias totaled an estimated $290,000,000,000. Despite the high costs, less than one percent of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease receive comprehensive care planning services, despite such services being eligible under Medicaid and Medicare. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias who engage in comprehensive care planning can reduce their financial burden and significantly improve their overall quality of life. Therefore, consultation with medical professionals will enable more people to adequately plan for comprehensive care after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Your Committee notes the comments by the Executive Office on Aging that this measure may encourage more persons to engage in comprehensive care planning services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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 S.B. No. 2340, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2340, 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