REFRAMING PUBLIC POLICY OPTIONS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING: HAWAII'S EXPERIENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

A public long-term care financing program was introduced during the 2016 Legislative Session in Hawaii. The proposed program was based on the recommendations of a Long-term Care Commission study and an actuarial study funded by the State Legislature. While Hawaii was the first state in the U.S. to introduce a public long-term care financing bill, it was Hawaii's second attempt to pass a similar bill since 2002. This paper will present public discourse analysis using testimonies submitted during the 2016 session, compared to those submitted 14 years ago. We will also examine a community awareness campaign that aims to increase knowledge of options for long-term care among the public. We will present the media message as well as describe community forums which have taken place and the impact of these efforts in shaping public's opinion on the proposed public long-term care financing program.