STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2579

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 3383

 

 

 

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 S.B. No. 3383 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Executive Office on Aging to contract for a statewide assessment of the needs of the long-term care workforce for home- and community-based service providers; and

 

     (2)  Make an appropriation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that the State has the highest average life expectancy in the United States with a record 80.7 years.  The number of kupuna living into their eighties, nineties, and even hundreds continue to grow, creating a greater need for a qualified, skilled long-term care workforce.  Accordingly, the development of a long-term care system that addresses the continuum of needs for kupuna and individuals with disabilities, in part, requires understanding the barriers and challenges faced by providers of services for the aging and disabled, including the ability to hire skilled and competent employees.  This measure provides the resources to address the long-term care needs and overall health of the State's residents.

 

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3383 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair