STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3914

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 91

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 91, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENTS AND PAYMENTS TO HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES PROVIDERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services to establish a working group to address issues relating to reimbursements and payments to home- and community-based services providers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Big Island Adult Foster Home Operators, International Longshore & Warehouse Union International, International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 1000, and six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that home- and community-based services providers provide essential and necessary services to the State's elderly and vulnerable populations. Your Committee further finds that adequate reimbursements and payments are crucial to sustain and improve the quality of care provided by home- and community-based residential care home facilities, and that there is a pressing need to identify and implement measures to enhance reimbursement rates for all home- and community-based services providers. This measure requests the establishment of a working group to address issues relating to reimbursements and payments to home- and community-based services providers by conducting an analysis of the current reimbursement and payment system, identifying areas where improvements can be made, exploring strategies, and engaging with stakeholders to gather input and feedback.

Your Committee notes the Department of Human Services' testimony that the comprehensive analyses and report requested in this measure are similar to the rate studies contracted by its Med-QUEST Division's that cost an average of $450,000, and that an additional $350,000 may be needed since home- and community-based services are funded through various non-Medicaid sources, and therefore, federal Medicaid match would be unavailable.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing language that would have requested the Director of Health to be a member of the working group;

(2) Inserting language to request the working group to request funding of $350,000 to conduct the comprehensive analysis of the current reimbursement and payment system for home- and community-based services providers; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 91, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 91, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair