STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3085

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2340

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2340, S.D. 1, 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 an outreach program within the Department of Health to inform certain physicians and non-physician practitioners that comprehensive care planning services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is a covered benefit under the Medicare program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Aloha Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Manoa Cottage, and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health and the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that this measure will increase utilization of the comprehensive care planning services covered under Medicare for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias by informing certain physicians and non-physician practitioners about this federal benefit. This increase in utilization will reduce the number of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and medication crises for persons receiving dementia-specific comprehensive care planning, thereby financially benefitting the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2340, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2340, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair