THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

103

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to long term care.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Americans with multiple, chronic health conditions and increased rates of disability in old age are living longer now than in the past.  Furthermore, the aging of the population in Hawaii guarantees that there will be a greater need for long term care in the future.  Between 2007 and 2030, the population aged eighty-five and older, which has the greatest need for long term care, will increase by almost two-thirds.

     The legislature further finds that many people in Hawaii have limited knowledge on long term care issues, and some of what they know may be incorrect.  For example, although long term care is not covered by medicare or regular private health insurance, a 2011 survey of Hawaii members of the Association of American Retired Persons found that twenty-nine per cent of respondents said they expected medicare to pay for their long term care if needed.

     The legislature additionally finds that unless people have basic information about long term care, including the different types and providers of long term care services, the statistical risk of needing long term care, and the cost of long term care, they are unlikely to be motivated to establish long term care plans or pay significant amounts of money for long term care insurance.

     The legislature also finds that a long term care education and awareness campaign will educate people about their risks of needing long term care and motivate people to begin planning for their potential long term care needs.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the executive office on aging of the department of health to administer a public education and awareness campaign on long term care and obtain an independent evaluation of the campaign.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health's executive office on aging shall conduct a long-term care education and awareness campaign.

     (b)  The campaign goals shall include:

     (1)  Informing the public on the likelihood of needing long-term care at some point in life;

     (2)  Educating the public on the risks of not planning for long term care and maximizing the length of independent living;

     (3)  Building awareness that long term care is not covered by medicare or regular private health insurance;

     (4)  Educating the public about the cost of long term care, including the limits of medicaid eligibility and benefits;

     (5)  Informing the public on the value and availability of current financing and delivery options to obtain long term care; and

     (6)  Providing the public with resources to navigate the complexities of planning for long term care and the agencies that provide these services.

     (c)  The executive office on aging may develop a public-private partnership to fund and administer the campaign and may invite broad participation from multiple interested stakeholders in the State.

     (d)  The director of the executive office on aging shall have the campaign independently evaluated for its effectiveness.

     (e)  The director of the executive office on aging shall submit the report of the evaluation's findings and recommendations, if any, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2016 regular session.

     SECTION 3.  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 2013-2014, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015, for the executive office on aging of the department of health to conduct an education and awareness campaign on long term care and to have an independent evaluation performed on the campaign.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Kupuna Caucus; Long Term Care; Education and Awareness; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requests the executive office on aging of the department of health to conduct an education and awareness campaign on long term care and have the campaign independently evaluated.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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