COA Minutes of Friday June 30 2023

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGING MEETING MINUTES Friday, June 30, 2023, 10:00 A.M. Page 2 Shortage Crisis Task Force, her role is addressing the shortage of medical workers (eg. Doctors and Nurses) in Hawaii County. The task force focus group is looking at how health and emergency services with emphasis on rural communities, may benefit from telemedicine. Will our Kupuna benefit from this service and if broadband usage for Kupuna was available during the workforce shortage crisis. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE February 22, 2023 MEETING – Clyde Silva, Committee Vice-Chair motion to approve the minutes of the meeting. Motion to accept the minutes by Judy Bell, and seconded by Lisa McNamarra. Unanimously approved. 5. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR – Clyde Silva mentioned that our current Chair resigned and moved to the mainland. Clyde open the nomination for a Committee Chair. The committee voted in favor of Clyde Silva as Committee Chair. Committee voted unanimously. Clyde open the nomination for a Committee Vice-Chair. Judy Bell was nominated as Committee Vice-Chair. Committee voted unanimously. 6. EXECUTIVE ON AGING REPORT AND UPDATES – Horace Farr 1. State Legislative session closed on May 5, 2023. The start of the new biennium begins July 1, 2023. Three Aging bills that were passed this past session were: HB278 – Funding for the Executive Office on Aging to create and implement an Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias public campaign. SB900 – Funding of additional three (3) staff for the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SB1592 – Funding for three (3) additional staff for the State Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMP). 2. Reported on our first in person Older Americans Month (OAM) Luncheon since 2019. The event held at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort on Friday, May 12, 2023, and had approximately 165 individuals who attended. Male and female honorees this year for Hawaii County were Albert Pacheco, Jr. of Hilo, and Fely Villegas of Pahala, who represented Hawaii County at the State OAM Luncheon held at 15 Craigside on Oahu. Also, in attendance at the State luncheon were Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, State Senator Sharon Moriwaki, and State House Representative Gregg Takayama along with Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging and AARP and other entities.