State House Health Chairman Dennis Arakaki said he may submit a bill next session to create a single agency to regulate adult residential care homes and adult foster homes even though the state auditor recommended against the consolidation yesterday. 1 agency proposed
to oversee care homes
By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com"Basically, I disagree with the audit," he said.
State Auditor Marion Higa, in a 36-page audit released yesterday, said oversight over adult residential care homes and adult foster/expanded care homes should remain separate within two state departments.
Combining all aspects of care homes will not prevent the overlap that exists between the two departments, she said. State lawmakers asked for the audit earlier this year because of concerns about potential inefficiencies in the state agencies that regulate them.
Currently, the state licenses adult residential care homes, which provide housing for senior or disabled adults with minimal living assistance. The Department of Human Services regulates adult foster and expanded care homes, which provide housing for the elderly, chronically ill, disabled, developmentally disabled and mentally retarded.
"We considered several regulatory options but found that maintaining the current regulatory scheme for adult residential care homes and adult foster homes is the most appropriate alternative," Higa said.
Arakaki (D, Kalihi Valley), however, believes having both types of homes under a single agency will result in equal levels of care and oversight. He noted that there is a rising concern because many people in adult residential care homes are living longer and may need more health care but do not want to move into an expanded or foster care home.
Arakaki said he believes the Health Department could handle all program functions, with limited oversight from the Human Services Department.
And given the state's diminishing resources, he said, it should be looking at more cost-efficient operations.
Office of the Auditor
ERS report overview (PDF)
Department of Health
State Department of Human Services
State of Hawaii
