Gov. Ben Cayetano has appointed a temporary board of trustees to design a state-run long-term care program. Cayetano names
5 to care panelAssociated Press
The framework for the program was contained in a bill Cayetano signed into law July 1.
The individual trustees have experience in government administration, health care, social services, finance and business law, Marilyn Seely, director of the state Executive Office on Aging, said Friday.
The board will review options for determining the amount of fees, the means of collection and the nature and amount of benefits, Seely said.
It will also recommend a third-party administrator, she said.
The board is to issue its findings and recommendations to next year's Legislature.
The trustees are Norman Baker, of Child and Family Services; Dan Jessop, of the Queen's Medical Center; consumer advocate Bruce McCullough; Mary Sellers of Bank of Hawaii; and attorney Jeffrey Watanabe.
Supporters say a state-run program is needed as Hawaii's population grows older and becomes unable to afford standard long-term insurance policies.
But opponents have labeled the program a hoax and a scam, saying private insurance policies are affordable and offer more care than the state's proposed program.
State of Hawaii
