Hawaii-2016-HB1878-Amended

Part I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the kupuna care program was enacted in 1999 to address the needs of Hawaii's aging population and the issues arising from those needs. The kupuna care program is considered to be an alternative to traditional long-term care options. The goal of kupuna care is to enable Hawaii seniors to lead independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities. The legislature further finds that the kupuna care program provides access to affordable and quality home- and community-based services, including hot meals, transportation, case management, and personal care assistance. Services offered by the kupuna care program provide a safety net for all kupuna and their caregivers.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the kupuna care program; provided that the sum appropriated shall be in addition to the base budget of the executive office on aging.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

Part II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that the State's aging and disability resource center is a navigational tool intended to streamline access to long-term supports and services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers. The legislature additionally finds that proper funding for the aging and disability resource center is essential to ensure the center is an effective single point of entry for individuals seeking information about appropriate long-term care options. Ensuring the availability of services once a consumer receives a referral, such as those offered through the kupuna care program, is also critical to the success of the aging and disability resource center.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the aging and disability resource center.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

Part III

SECTION 5. The legislature finds that every year in Hawaii, on average eighty-five seniors die, 1,960 are hospitalized, and 8,700 are treated in emergency departments as a result of falls. Falls among the elderly also result in almost $1,200,000 in hospital and physician charges. In recognition of this critical public health issue, Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014, established a fall prevention and early detection services coordinator position within the department of health's emergency medical services and injury prevention system branch. This position enables the department of health to support a coordinated statewide approach to prevent and reduce the impact of falls among older adults. Act 153 funded a new position for a fall prevention and early detection coordinator for fiscal year 2014 to 2015.

The legislature further finds that access to fall prevention services and programs would significantly reduce costs associated with falls in the elderly by expediting treatment, minimizing serious long-term consequences, reducing the extent of the injury, and in some instances, avoiding death.

Falls among the elderly are a significant public health issue. Yet, currently, there are insufficient resources to develop a coordinated statewide approach to reduce and promptly detect falls among the elderly. The program serves as a focal point for statewide injury prevention and detection efforts to ensure multidisciplinary support, coordination of prevention and detection efforts, and continuity of implementation and accountability.

The purpose of this part is to assure a continued focus on fall prevention in Hawaii, which will ultimately result in longer, healthier lives for the State's aging population.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for fall prevention and early detection services for the elderly.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

Part IV

SECTION 7. The legislature finds that the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program was established in 2003 to improve the health status of older adults by empowering residents to make healthy decisions and engage in healthier lifestyles. Since its formation, the healthy aging partnership has successfully adapted evidence-based health promotion programs and disease prevention programs for the multicultural population in Hawaii. The legislature further finds that participants who complete workshops offered by the healthy aging partnership feel better, are less limited by their health conditions, and often spend less time at their doctor's office.

The legislature also finds that the healthy aging partnership received the 2013 Multicultural Aging award from the American Society on Aging. This award brought national recognition for the healthy aging partnership's critical role in improving the health of Hawaii's multiethnic elderly population.

The purpose of this part is to provide funding to support the healthy aging partnership program and its important role in improving the health and well-being of Hawaii's kupuna.

SECTION 8. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the healthy aging partnership program of the department of health's executive office on aging.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

Part V

SECTION 9. The legislature finds that the Hawaii 2025: State Plan Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, published by the executive office on aging, identifies goals and key strategies to improve the lives of the numerous families affected by the disease. The legislature further finds that Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and that it affects twenty-six thousand Hawaii residents, a number that will increase by forty per cent by the year 2025. The legislature also finds that an estimated sixty-five thousand unpaid caregivers in this State provide seventy-four million hours of unpaid care each year.

With the significantly high number of individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease as a person having the disease or as a caregiver, and the substantial projected increase by 2025, there is a need for a coordinated and prepared support system to address the multitude of issues arising from addressing the disease. While the Hawaii 2025: State Plan Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias identifies strategies to address the disease, the services and activities require coordination at a systemic level, such as through a coordinator position.

The legislature further finds that the public awareness and communication subcommittee of the statewide task force on Alzheimer's disease and related dementia made the key recommendation calling for a public awareness campaign that utilizes various media sources to positively promote adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia with dignity and respect and highlight caregivers as compassionate individuals who champion the health and well-being of their loved ones.

The purpose of this part is to make an appropriation for an Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator position and to make an appropriation for a campaign to raise public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

SECTION 10. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the Alzheimer's disease and related dementia services coordinator position, which shall be exempt from the civil service requirements of chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes, until July 1, 2018.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

SECTION 11. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for an Alzheimer's disease and related dementia public awareness campaign that will utilize various media sources to positively promote adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia with dignity and respect and highlight caregivers as compassionate individuals who champion the health and well-being of their loved ones.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

Part VI

SECTION 12. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2070.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1878
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII