STAND. COM. REP. NO. 973

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1592

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1592, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to better protect the State's seniors by combating fraudulent activities that target or exploit kupuna.

More specifically, the measure appropriates funds to the Executive Office on Aging for three additional staff positions within the State's Senior Medicare Patrol Program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, AARP Hawaii, Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the additional staff positions funded by this measure will enable the Senior Medicare Patrol Program to more effectively meet the rising demand for assistance resulting from increasing reports of fraud, medical billing errors, and abuse.

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. 1592, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1592, 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