Report Title:

Health; Veteran's Affairs LTC Facility; GO Bonds

Description:

Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds to build a Veteran's Affairs long-term care facility. (SB664 SD2)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

664

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR the development of a veterans affairs long-term care facility.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State of Hawaii has an opportunity to meet a sorely felt community need: long-term care resources. The number of aged continues to grow, not only in the State of Hawaii, but nationally. The number of residents needing long-term care has grown steadily, resulting in a significant shortage of facilities statewide.

Through the efforts of our congressional delegation, particularly Senator Daniel K. Inouye, the State of Hawaii has been presented with an opportunity to build a two-hundred bed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility, commonly referred to as a VA state home, with a significant portion to be funded by the federal government.

The construction of a VA state home will help to relieve over-crowded long-term care facilities statewide and meet our nation’s commitment to our military community to provide for their health and welfare in recognition of their distinguished service to our country. This project is planned to be located on the campus of the Hilo Medical Center. The proposed facility would be the first of its kind built in the State of Hawaii. Hawaii is one of only three states which does not have a VA state home.

The Hilo Medical Center Foundation has worked to spearhead a campaign to raise community support for construction of the first VA state home. The VA facility also has the support of the Hawaii health systems corporation. The cost of the planned VA facility is approximately $45,000,000, of which the VA has pledged to pay sixty-five per cent of the cost of construction, including providing equipment, furnishings, and interior decorating and design. This VA state home project is on a priority one level for a sixty-five per cent or $29,000,000 funding grant with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislature further finds that by providing thirty-five per cent of the cost sharing, the veterans of Hawaii will greatly benefit from this development to address their desperately needed long-term care services.

The legislature further finds that a VA state home would create an economic boost by providing construction jobs and permanent staff and support positions. Furthermore, a VA state home would serve to improve the instruction at the University of Hawaii at Hilo department of nursing by providing expanded clinical and professional experience. A similar benefit would be provided by the establishment of medical relationships and mutual support with Hilo Medical Center.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for the construction of a VA Home long-term care facility by Hilo Medical Center.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $         , or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the purpose of funding the State's portion of construction of a two hundred bed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs long-term care facility on the Hilo Medical Center campus; provided that no issuance shall be made unless the federal government appropriates the remaining $29,250,000 needed to complete the facility.

SECTION 3. The appropriations made for the capital improvement projects authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2006, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.