STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3679

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 20

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 20, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME OPERATORS WITH THE SERVICES NECESSARY TO ASSIST THEM IN PROVIDING CARE FOR ADULTS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Departments of Health and Human Services to provide adult residential care home ("ARCH") operators with services to assist them in providing care for adults.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Health.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was received by the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committees find that ARCH operators provide an invaluable service to the State and the community by caring for elderly and disabled persons that may otherwise become wards of the State.

 

     Your Committees also find that ARCH operators are facing many challenges including the high cost of liability insurance and other rising costs related to operating the ARCH.  In addition many assisted living facilities are not within the financial reach of Hawaii's families.

 

     Your Committees recognize the many economic benefits and services these ARCH operators provide to our State and our aging and disabled populations. It makes sense to encourage the Departments of Health and Human Services to work together with ARCH operators to provide the services they need for the successful and continued ARCH operation in the State.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 20, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Housing,

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair