STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3705

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1973

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1973, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate in‑home health care and support services for the elderly.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes within the Department of Health a one-year KupunAloha Pilot Program to provide in-home health care and support services for eligible individuals who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for those services;

(2) Requires the Department to submit to the Legislature a report on the Pilot Program; and

(3) Appropriates moneys to the Department for the implementation and operation of the Pilot Program

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, Project Dana, Home Care Association of America - Hawaii Chapter, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee recognizes that there are approximately twenty-five thousand elderly individuals in the State who need in‑home health care or other support services, cannot afford those services, and do not qualify for Medicare or other programs that would assist with paying for the care. Your Committee finds that the creation of a pilot program to provide those services, as proposed by this measure, is a positive first step toward assisting these individuals.

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 H.B. No. 1973, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair