Bill Text: HI SB2461 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 2461 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Making An Appropriation To The Hawaii Healthy Aging Partnership Program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2022-03-10 - Referred to HHH, FIN, referral sheet 24 [SB2461 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2461-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2461
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE HAWAII HEALTHY AGING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. 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 Hawaii healthy aging partnership program has successfully adapted evidence-based health promotion programs and disease prevention programs for the multicultural population in Hawaii. Participants may engage in two evidenced-based interventions. First, the ke ola pono � Better Choices Better Health - disease self-management programs are evidence-based programs in which individuals with chronic or ongoing medical conditions can learn how to effectively manage their health to improve their quality of life. The second intervention is EnhanceFitness, which is an effective, research-driven exercise program to improve the overall functional fitness and well-being of older adults. Due to the many accomplishments of the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program, it received the 2013 multicultural aging award from the American Society on Aging. This accomplishment brought further recognition to the program's role in improving the health of Hawaii's diverse aging population.

The legislature also finds that the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program received state funding for fiscal year 2017‑2018 through Act 103, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017. The program did not receive state funding for fiscal year 2018-2019 but received state funding for fiscal year 2019-2020 through Act 124, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019. The program did not receive state funding for fiscal years 2020-2022.

When the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic broke out in Hawaii, the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program was forced to close all EnhanceFitness sites and cancel Better Choices Better Health workshops and training due to the State's prohibitions against in-person classes. A survey of EnhanceFitness participants on the impacts of COVID-19 found that nearly all active participants were negatively impacted by the pandemic and felt their health status had declined. The survey also showed that kupuna needed access to safe and effective health promotion activities. To overcome these challenges, the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program developed activities in alternative formats. As of October 2021, the program has served more than three hundred ninety-two kupuna during the pandemic.

More than sixty-five participants in the county of Kauai attended modified virtual exercise classes online, and more than ninety participants in the county of Maui joined via a televised airing. When pandemic restrictions were eased, the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program started offering small-group, in-person EnhanceFitness classes. These classes served ninety-seven kupuna in the county of Kauai, and virtual EnhanceFitness classes served sixty kupuna in the county of Maui.

Better Choices Better Health offered its disease self-management program remotely by mailing toolkits to participants and holding the class via telephone for those who were not tech-savvy. These classes had fifty-seven participants in the city and county of Honolulu and the counties of Kauai and Hawaii. Virtual workshops served sixteen participants in the city and county of Honolulu, and asynchronous online classes served seven participants from the county of Kauai and city and county of Honolulu.

Preliminary evaluation findings showed that, during the pandemic, the EnhanceFitness and Better Choices Better Health programs remained effective in all outcome measures. Additionally, the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program partners have gained skills and experience in offering the programs in alternative formats. As the COVID-19 restrictions ease, the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program is ready to scale up the programs, in both remote and in-person formats, to help more kupuna stay healthy. However, limited funding for the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program inhibits these programs from continuing and expanding to meet the needs of kupuna. Currently, the program depends on stretching the state appropriation made for fiscal year 2019-2020 to maintain some program activities. It also receives a small amount of supplemental funding from county appropriations and federal funds through the Older Americans Act.

The legislature recognizes that, without continued funding, the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program may have to close. In that case, the executive office on aging would be unable to meet the first goal of the Hawaii state plan on aging, which strives to maximize opportunities for older adults to age well, remain active, and enjoy life in their communities.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program to further the program's important role in improving the health and well-being of Hawaii's kupuna.

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 2022-2023 for the Hawaii healthy aging partnership program to continue the program's operations to improve the health and well-being of Hawaii's kupuna.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging of the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.

Report Title:

HHAP; Department of Health Executive Office on Aging; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Healthy Aging Partnership program to further the program's role in improving the health and well-being of Hawaii's kupuna. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.