| Bill Watch |
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New Committee Assignments
With the Alaska Legislature back in session, it's business as usual in Juneau. The following bills were given their first committee assignments this week:
- HB 300 "Document Prenatal Alcohol Exposure"
- SB 196 "Prescription Database"
- HB 319 "Dental Hygienists/Dental Practice"
- HJR 26 "Const. Am: Control of Minor's Medical Care"
- SB 212 "Medical Assistance Eligibility
- SB 186 "Mental Health Patient Grievances"
- SB 195 "Mental Health Care Insurance Benefit"
- SB 222 "Approp: Mental Health Budget"
- HB 276 "Extend Alaska Commission on Aging"
- HB 279 "Commission on Aging"
- SB 188 "Extend Alaska Commission on Aging"
- SB 209 "Extend Alaska Commission on Aging"
- HB 301 "Partial-Birth Abortion"
- HB 270 "Medical Facility Licensing/Abortion"
Bill Tracking Methodology
The following is a list of all health-related bills currently sitting in various legislative committees. This list represents a combination of old bills from 2007 that were left in committees when the first session ended and new bills that have been introduced during the second session. Bill information is current as of January 16, 2008 at 5 PM.
Bills listed here were selected based on a series of subjective criteria to determine whether they were "health policy-related" or not. All bills currently sitting in the Senate and House Health, Education, and Social Services committees were examined, and any that obviously dealt with non-health-related education or social services issues were eliminated. Every other House and Senate committee was then examined for health-related bills, which were included in the final list.
After determining the full set of health-related bills still in committee or pre-filed for the new session, they were divided into several general categories. This was done to facilitate finding bills that dealt with certain key health policy issues and to make overall navigation of the list easier. The remaining bills were categorized as "general" health policy-related because of the wide range of subjects they covered.
The information listed for each bill includes the bill number, the short title, the primary sponsor or sponsors, the committee in which the last action on the bill took place, and the date on which the last action on the bill took place. A short summary of each bill is also included.
Abbreviations have been used for committee names. The committee names and their abbreviations are:
- (H) HES: House Health, Education, and Social Services Committee
- (S) HES: Senate Health, Education, and Social Services Committee
- (H) L&C: House Labor & Commerce Committee
- (S) L&C: Senate Labor & Commerce Committee
- (S) SED: Senate Special Committee on Education
- (H) FIN: House Finance Committee
- (S) FIN: Senate Finance Committee
- (H) RLS: House Rules Committee
- (S) JUD: Senate Judiciary Committee
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Certificate of Need |
HB 4 HB MEDICAL FACILITY CERTIFICATE OF NEED
Sponsor: Representative Lynn
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07
"HB 4 removes the current Certificate of Need requirement for health care facilities in Alaska boroughs having a population of over 25,000 people." -Rep. Lynn
SB 65 MEDICAL FACILITY CERTIFICATE OF NEED
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 01/26/07
"SB 65 removes the current requirement for a Certificate of Need (CON) for health care facilities, except for nursing homes and residential psychiatric treatment centers, 'in a borough with a population of more than 25,000.' Smaller communities would still require, as a practical matter, the Certificate of Need." -Sen. Huggins
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| Drugs |
HB 81 ALASKA PRESCRIPTION DRUG TASK FORCE
Sponsors: Representatives Guttenberg and Cissna
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07
"HB 81 will create a Prescription Drug Task Force within the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. This Task Force will find ways to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and increase affordable access to prescription drugs for Alaskans.
"Ten members representing various entities and business sectors will sit on the task force and will gather information from industry, government, citizens, and other sources. Subsequent present reports to the Governor and to the Legislature will suggest actions to increase access to and reduce the cost of prescription drugs." -Rep. Guttenberg
HB 82 PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNTS
Sponsors: Representatives Guttenberg, Cissna, and Greunberg
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07
This bill would affect prescription drug discount pricing, and would place requirements on pharmacies that obtained prescription drugs through discount pricing. It would also require DHSS to conduct a study pertaining to prescription drug discounts, and report the findings to the legislature.
Pharmacies would segregate prescription drugs purchased through discount pricing from other drug stock by physical or electronic means, and maintain records of the acquisition and disposition of the discounted drugs in a way that is separate from other pharmacy records. The purchase of discounted prescription drugs is regulated according to guidelines in the federal Social Security Act. The mandated DHSS report would be a study of the feasibility of providing discounted prescription drug pricing to every person in the state who is not otherwise covered by a prescription drug plan. A report summarizing the findings would be presented to the legislature on or before January 1, 2008.
HB 208 DRUG PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION
Sponsor: House Health, Education, and Social Services committee
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 03/19/07
This bill affects the substitution by a pharmacist of an equivalent drug product. With a few specific exceptions, unless a prescription indicates that it is to be dispensed as written, a pharmacist may, with the consent of the patient or the minor patient's parent or guardian, substitute an equivalent drug product.
The two exceptions mentioned explicitly in the bill relate to drugs for epilepsy or seizures, and to the substitution of a drug for a registered brand or trade name product. The substitution of drugs for epilepsy or seizure disorders must follow strict guidelines, including a timeframe for how long a pharmacist may dispense an equivalent drug product when supply of the prescribed drug is at issue. The substitution of a drug for a registered brand or trade name product can only be done with permission from the author of the prescription, with a procedure laid out should the pharmacist be unable to get in contact with the author of the prescription.
HB 300 DOCUMENT PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE
Sponsor: Representative Doll
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES and (H) L&C, 01/15/08
HB 300 would require health care professionals to document an infant's prenatal exposure to alcohol. The bill intends for such information to be used for the purposes of screening for fetal alcohol syndrome. A person licensed under the statute attending or making a postnatal examination of a mother and infant would, if the mother consents to such information being put in the medical file, document the infant's prenatal exposure to alcohol. Such information would only be used for the purposes of providing medical diagnosis, treatment, or care.
HB 304 CANCER DRUG REPOSITORY
Sponsor: Representative Nelson
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 01/15/08
HB 304 amends the statute covering the Board of Pharmacy to include regulations for the implementation of the cancer drug repository and redistribution program established for recipients of medical assistance. Medical Assistance for Needy Persons statute (AS 47.07) would be amended to define and describe the cancer drug repository and redistribution program, and establishes guidelines that must be followed by dispensing pharmacies.
SB 114 DRUG PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION
Sponsor: Senate Health, Education, and Social Services committee
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C, 03/12/07
This bill affects the substitution by a pharmacist of an equivalent drug product. With a few specific exceptions, unless a prescription indicates that it is to be dispensed as written, a pharmacist may, with the consent of the patient or the minor patient's parent or guardian, substitute an equivalent drug product.
The two exceptions mentioned explicitly in the bill relate to drugs for epilepsy or seizures, and to the substitution of a drug for a registered brand or trade name product. The substitution of drugs for epilepsy or seizure disorders must follow strict guidelines, including a timeframe for how long a pharmacist may dispense an equivalent drug product when supply of the prescribed drug is at issue. The substitution of a drug for a registered brand or trade name product can only be done with permission from the author of the prescription, with a procedure laid out should the pharmacist be unable to get in contact with the author of the prescription.
SB 196 PRESCRIPTION DATABASE
Sponsor: Senator Green
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C and (S) FIN, 01/16/08
This bill would amend statutes related to the control and regulation of pharmacy. It would add a provision of the Board of Pharmacy that allows for the establishment and maintenance of a controlled substance prescription database.
The proposed database would contain data regarding every prescription for a IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, or VA controlled substance under state law, or a schedule I, II III, IV, or V controlled substance under federal law dispensed in the state to any person other than an inpatient at a licensed health care facility. The bill also establishes guidelines for the pharmacist-in-charge of each covered pharmacy to submit certain information regarding such prescriptions to the board for inclusion in the database. Such information would include the names of prescribing practitioners and individuals who receive prescriptions for controlled substances from licensed practitioners and who subsequently obtain dispensed controlled substances from a drug outlet in quantities or with a frequency inconsistent with generally recognized standards of dosage for that controlled substance.
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Education |
HB 55 WWAMI MEDICAL SCHOOL
Sponsor: Representative Kelly
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07
"The purpose of HB 55 is to address the severe doctor shortage in Alaska. According to the Alaska Physician Supply Task Force, Alaska would need an increase of 28% (375 doctors) to catch up with the lower 48. Increasing the in-state production of physicians by increasing the number of medical school and residency positions in Alaska is the No. 1 goal according the Task Force." -Rep. Kelly
HB 66 REQUIRE CPR FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Sponsor: Representative Gruenberg
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07
HB 66 would require certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid for the issuance of a secondary school diploma. The requirement may be waived when the governing body of the school district provides proof that a student is incapable of performing the necessary functions for certification. Each district in the state public school system would be responsible for initiating and conducting a program leading to CPR/first aid certification for its students.
SB 32 WWAMI/NURSE EDUC LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
Sponsor: Senator Wilken
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 01/16/07
This bill recognizes that there is a shortage of qualified medical doctors and registered nurses in the state, and seeks to establish the Alaska medical doctors and registered nurse recruitment loan repayment programs. The purpose of the programs would be to provide financial incentives through the repayment, in whole or in part, by the state, of education loans for medical doctors and registered nurses completing a term of employment as a medical doctor or a registered nurse in the state. In consultation with the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, standards and criteria would be established for the Alaska medical doctor and registered nurses recruitment loan repayment programs. Rules governing the commission's actions related to these programs are specified.
SB 73 WWAMI MEDICAL SCHOOL
Sponsor: Senator Ellis
Committee/date of last action: (S) SED, 02/02/07
"Under the WWAMI agreement, students pay in-state tuition at the University of Washington and the State of Alaska pays the difference. Students who enter the program must return to Alaska to practice or pay back the state's subsidy. Current statute places a cap on the number of students allowed into the WWAMI program at 10. Senate Bill 73 removes that cap, and establishes a new minimum of 20 students per year be placed into the WWAMI program." -Sen. Ellis
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General Health Policy
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HB 36 NURSE SUPERVISION OF EMT TRAINING
Sponsor: Representative Kawasaki
Committee/date of last action: (H) L&C, 03/28/07
"House Bill 36 would allow nurses within an EMT training program to teach skills to paramedics in the clinical setting. Qualified nurses would provide training to paramedics in a scope of activities under direct supervision. By allowing nurses to assist in paramedic's training the state [of] Alaska will be able to provide skilled workers with complete understanding of the necessary lifesaving skills." -Rep. Kawasaki
HB 100 AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES
Sponsor: Representative Coghill
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 02/15/07
"This legislation exempts for-profit air ambulance services from insurance regulations under AS 21.03 in order that they may solicit membership subscriptions, accept membership applications, and charge membership fees.
"In order to protect consumers this bill establishes that air ambulance services must:
· have certification under AS 18.08.082
· be in operation in Alaska for at least two years
· not deny emergency medical service to any person." -Rep. Coghill
HB 124 INTENSIVE SERVICES FUNDING
Sponsor: Representative Nelson
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 02/07/07
This bill seeks to amend AS 14.17.420 to affect intensive services funding. It proposes that when a student who is counted for intensive services funding transfers to another school district within the state, the transferring district would have to pay the district receiving the transfer the unused portion of funds allocated for the transferring student within 30 days of the transfer. The transferring district's payment would be based on a pro rata share of the amount received for the period in which the student attended school in the district.
HB 136 DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Sponsor: Senator Stoltze
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 05/04/07
"The provisions of House Bill 136 follow the expanded functions of dental hygienists in other states to improve access to preventative oral health care. Specifically, HB 136:
· Allows a licensed dental hygienist to place "fillings" into a cavity prepared by a licensed dentist.
· Authorizes a licensed dental hygienist to administer local anesthetic agents under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.
· Permits a licensed dental hygienist to enter into a collaborative agreement with a licensed dentist in which the dentist authorizes the dental hygienist to perform certain duties stipulated under HB 136 without the supervision of the dentist." -Rep. Stoltze
HB 319 DENTAL HYGIENISTS/DENTAL PRACTICE
Sponsors: Representatives Ramras and Thomas
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES) and (H) L&C, 01/15/08
HB 319 would amend the statute regulating the use of dental radiological equipment. The bill would specify the prohibitions under the statute to include the dentist's "direct or indirect" supervision of the use of such equipment. HB 319 would also extend the "direct or indirect" supervision clause to the grounds for discipline, suspension, or revocation of license. New sections are added to the statute regarding dental assistants, including certain certifications and delegation to dental assistants; and definitions of certain terms used in the legislative language.
HJR 26 CONST AM: CONTROL OF MINOR'S MEDICAL CARE
Sponsor: Representatives Coghill and Lynn
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES and (H) JUD, 01/15/08
HJR 26 proposes an amendment to the Alaska Constitution. It would grant a parent or guardian the right to direct and control the medical care and treatment of the parent or guardian's minor child. This right would be subject only to emergency exceptions and judicial bypass. The judicial bypass procedure would be narrowly tailored to protect the rights and health of the minor child and be consistent with standards established by the United States Supreme Court. The proposed amendment would be placed before the voters in the next general election as determined by the state's constitution and election laws.
SB 28 LIMIT OVERTIME FOR REGISTERED NURSES
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 04/18/07
"SB 28, hereafter also to be known as "The Alaska Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act," prevents Alaska registered and licensed practical nurses from being forced to work mandatory overtime, i.e., compulsory as opposed to voluntary work in excess of an agreed to, predetermined, regularly scheduled shift, and it protects patients from the dangers caused by overworked nurses ... This legislation also protects nurses from discrimination and retaliation by employers who continue to force them into working hours beyond what they believe safe for quality care. SB 28 requires that health care facilities monitor, document, and report overtime semiannually and face penalties for knowing violations." -Sen. Davis
SB 29 MEDICAL PATIENT BILLING DISCLOSURES
Sponsor: Senator Dyson
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 01/16/07
SB 29 would affect certain aspects of patient billing disclosures. The bill adds a new section to the existing statute (AS 18.20) that specifies what licensing a hospital must have to be regulated under the proposed law. The bill also adds a new section to the existing statute that specifies what information hospitals that received government money for the purchase, construction, repair, equipping, or operation of the hospital would have to disclose on each patient billing. Several terms that would be related to this information are also defined, including "government money," "hospital," and "patient billing."
SB 98 DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 02/28/07
"SB 98 allows Alaskans better access to professional training, skills, and technology available to meet their oral health care needs with expanded services provided by dental hygienists licensed under AS 08.32. Many Alaskans either cannot afford regular oral health care, do not understand the need for it, or live in areas or facilities not served by oral health care professionals. SB 98 also will help stem what the Surgeon General reported as a 'silent epidemic of oral diseases ... affecting our most vulnerable citizens ... No one should suffer from oral diseases or conditions that can be effectively prevented and treated.'" -Sen. Davis
SB 107 NATUROPATHS
Sponsor: Senator Davis by request
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C, 03/07/07
"For purposes of expanding allowed procedures and regulating the growing practice of naturopathic medicine in Alaska, SB 107 establishes required licensing fees, a Naturopathic Advisory Committee, and an Alaska Naturopathic Formulary Council ... New naturopathic procedures under SB 107 allow minor surgery, including operative, electrical, and other methods of repair to superficial lacerations and abrasion or lesions, and removal of foreign bodies in superficial tissues. The bill also allows naturopaths to use antiseptics and local anesthetics in connection with allowed procedures. The law prohibits naturopaths from performing major surgery, and spinal and general anesthetics." -Sen. Davis
SB 181 ANATOMICAL GIFTS
Sponsor: Senator McGuire
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 05/15/07
This bill would affect anatomical gifts; donations to the anatomical gift awareness fund; a registry of anatomical gifts; and the organizations that handle the procurement, distribution, or storage of all or a part of an individual's body. The majority of changes proposed in SB 181 are to change the particular Alaska statutes that govern anatomical gifts issues to the most current statutory number. The bill would also add a number of sections to the existing statute in order to address several issues, including who may make an anatomical gift before the donor's death; the manner of making an anatomical gift before the donor's death; and the rights and duties of procurement organizations and others. The bill would also address the need for uniformity of the law with regard to the subject matter, and also defines the terms used in the text.
HB 252 LEAVE FOR ORGAN/BONE MARROW DONATIONS
Sponsor: Senator LeDoux
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 05/15/07
"The Richard Foster and Alec Cesar Donor Act would require the State of Alaska to grant a paid leave of absence to an employee for the purpose of making a personal organ or bone marrow donation. The employer is not required to provide more than 80 hours of leave, however the leave may not be less than 40 hours unless the employee requests fewer hours. Verification may be required and the State may not retaliate or sanction an employee for requesting this leave." -Rep. LeDoux
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| Medical Assistance and Health Insurance |
HB 140 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY
Sponsor: Representative Gara
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 02/28/07
"HB 140 raises the eligibility level for Denali Kid Care to 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline. It extends optional coverage to children of families that earn between 200 and 350 percent of the federal poverty guideline by offering coverage at a sliding scale fee of between $200 and $1200. Families that earn above 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline would have to certify that health insurance is not offered through their work." -Rep. Gara
HB 198 SENIOR BENEFITS/MED. ASSISTANCE ELIG.
Sponsor: Representative Hawker
Committee/date of last action: (H) RLS, 04/10/07
"HB 198 establishes the Alaska Senior Assistance Program to provide cash assistance payments to low-income Alaska seniors.
"The existing Senior Care Program, which is scheduled to sunset June 30, 2007, is amended to remove the little used prescription drug benefits and increase monthly cash payments to Alaskans, age 65 and older, based on their incomes related to federal poverty level guidelines adjusted for Alaska (FPL-A). Monthly payments are:
· $250 per month to individuals with income less than 75% of FPL-A
· $175 per month to individuals with income from 75% to less than 100% of FPL-A
· $125 per month to individuals with income from 100% to less than $135% of FPL-A
"The Alaska Senior Assistance Program combines desirable features of both the Longevity Bonus and Senior Care programs into a single needs based structure that delivers real help to low-income seniors across Alaska. Program enrollment is open to all qualifying seniors.
"The new Alaska Senior Assistance Program sunsets June 30, 2011 if not reauthorized." -Rep. Hawker
HB 231 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: KIDS/DISABLED/PREGNANT
Sponsor: Representative Doll
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 04/02/07
This bill would amend the eligibility guidelines for medical assistance for needy persons (AS 47.07.020 [b]). Specifically, the bill seeks to change language that affects eligible disabled persons by specifying the official poverty line in question would be Alaska-specific, and clarifies that such information would come from the United States Department of Health and Human Service. The bill would also specify that persons under 19 years of age and pregnant women who are not otherwise covered under other sections of the law would only be eligible for assistance if household income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line for Alaska, as set by the US DHHS.
HB 242 MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Sponsor: Representative LeDoux
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 04/26/07
"This bill establishes a framework mandating and ensuring affordable health coverage for all Alaskans. A board of 11 stakeholders will oversee the plan, making certain that residents are able to choose and purchase coverage that provides adequate care. The bill also provides:
· A framework for personal choice: This bill facilitates a relationship between health insurance providers and individuals, and doesn't assume that a one size fits all solution will meet the health care needs of all Alaskans.
· A unique voucher system: By pooling money from all stakeholders, a sliding scale voucher system will ensure that every Alaskan can take personal responsibility for acquiring health insurance coverage. The system will also make it easy for multiple entities to contribute towards a health plan for an individual.
· A health care clearinghouse: The clearinghouse will disseminate information about quality health care products, assisting Alaskans who are utilizing vouchers under the Alaska health care plan.
· The Alaska health care fund: This fund will receive contributions from individuals, businesses and government to ensure that all interested parties contribute to the health of Alaskans." -Rep. LeDoux
HCR 2 HEALTH INFORMATION & REFERRAL SYSTEM
Sponsor: Representative Cissna
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/22/07
This resolution seeks to recognize the need for an integrated state-wide health-related information and referral system. It addresses the need for basic and accurate information in an effective market-based health care system, and it recognizes need for consumers and residents of the state to have accurate, informed information about health care costs in order to make accurate decisions on health-related expenditures.
The resolution also recognizes certain growing health care trends: that a growing number of Alaskans cannot afford or access health insurance; that a growing number of people over the age of 65 who are covered by Medicare are having trouble finding doctors who will keep or accept them as patients; and that the state already has a shortage of physicians and that the percentage of medical doctors over the age of 50 is increasing, a trend that will worsen as the state's population continues to age.
In an effort to address these issues, this resolution seeks government and private sector partners to investigate and build an integrated statewide information and referral system using like systems created in other states that use state-of-the-art software and well-maintained databases so state residents can maximize their health purchases within the state. This integrated statewide information and referral system be used to create an information system for health volunteerism options and a network of community health contacts that in times of natural disasters or statewide emergencies could be used to coordinate services and to disseminate information.
HJR 10 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN
Sponsor: House Health, Education, and Social Services committee
Committee/date of last action: (H) FIN, 03/05/07
This joint resolution would formally ask the Alaska Legislature to urge the Alaska Congressional delegation to "work diligently to achieve a timely reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (42 U.S.C. 1397aa - 1397jj, Title XXI of the Social Security Act) to continue federal medical assistance percentages for the Denali KidCare program," and to also urge "Governor Palin to work with the Alaska Congressional delegation to ensure reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program in a timely manner." The resolution would also proclaim that "all components of state government should work together with educators, health care providers, social workers, and parents to ensure that all available public and private assistance for providing health benefits to uninsured children in the state be used to the maximum extent possible," and that the Alaska Legislature would urge Governor Palin to "work to provide meaningful assistance to help identify and enroll children who qualify for medical assistance or Denali KidCare." -House HESS
SB 87 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY
Sponsor: Senator Wielechowski
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 03/14/07
"SB 87 raises the eligibility limit for participation in the Denali KidCare program to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), currently $27,000/year for a single parent and child ... SB 87 would also allow families with incomes up to 350% of the FPL to buy into Denali KidCare using a sliding fee scale for premiums and a 20% co-pay. Those with the greatest means would reimburse the state roughly 90% of its costs. Participants would have to certify that they don't have access to health insurance at work." -Sen. Wielechowski
SB 106 APPROP: COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 03/07/07
This bill would give a special appropriation to DHSS for payment of a grant to the Alaska Primary Care Association to create a community health centers program. APCA is a non-profit organization.
SB 160 MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Sponsor: Senator French
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 04/23/07
"This bill establishes a framework mandating and ensuring affordable health coverage for all Alaskans. A board of 11 stakeholders will oversee the plan, making certain that residents are able to choose and purchase coverage that provides adequate care. The bill also provides:
· A framework for personal choice: This bill facilitates a relationship between health insurance providers and individuals, and doesn't assume that a one size fits all solution will meet the health care needs of all Alaskans.
· A unique voucher system: By pooling money from all stakeholders, a sliding scale voucher system will ensure that every Alaskan can take personal responsibility for acquiring health insurance coverage. The system will also make it easy for multiple entities to contribute towards a health plan for an individual.
· A health care clearinghouse: The clearinghouse will disseminate information about quality health care products, assisting Alaskans who are utilizing vouchers under the Alaska health care plan.
The Alaska health care fund: This fund will receive contributions from individuals, businesses and government to ensure that all interested parties contribute to the health of Alaskans." -Sen. French
SB 170 INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WELL-BABY EXAMS
Sponsor: Senator McGuire
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 05/10/07
SB 170 would require any health care insurer that offers health insurance that covers a dependent of a covered individual to, initially and at each renewal, provide coverage for the cost of well-baby exams. Such coverage would still be subject to the standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits. The bill also defines certain terms: health care insurer, health care professional, and well-baby exam.
SB 179 DEPENDENT HEALTH INSURANCE; AGE LIMIT
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C, 05/14/07
SB 179 would prevent health care insurers who provide coverage of a child through family care insurance from denying enrollment for a dependent child of the insured who is less than 26 years of age. Such insurers would also be prohibited from denying enrollment and disenrolling or eliminating coverage for such dependent children.
SB 212 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, (S) L&C, and (S) FIN, 01/16/08
This bill would raise the eligibility level for Denali KidCare from 175 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) to 200 percent FPL. It would affect eligible persons under 19 years of age and eligible pregnant women. SB 212 would also affect cost-sharing mechanisms for certain eligible recipients by raising the upper eligibility limit from 175 percent FPL to 200 percent FPL.
SJR 11 SUPPORTING U.S. VETERANS' HEALTH CARE
Sponsor: Senator Wielechowski
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, 05/09/07
This resolution calls for the Alaska State Legislature to ask the federal government for "adequate" funding for veterans' health care.
"The press has documented the neglect of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi has publicly stated that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to provide health care to the rapidly rising number of veterans who require it.
"As the state with the largest per capita number of veterans, it is essential that we send a clear signal of our commitment to care for our military personnel both on active duty and as veterans. While our legislature tries to do all we can for our vets and returning soldiers, our federal government has the primary responsibility of meeting the needs of our veterans. We need to call on Congress, as a state, to adequately fund critical veteran services." -Sen. Wielechowski
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| Mental Health |
HB 173 INVOLUNTARY PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG TREATMENT
Sponsor: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 03/05/07
This bill would allow courts to approve the involuntary use of psychotropic drugs on patients after strict guidelines for such administration had been met. The bill would also make it so that the court's approval applies to the patient's initial period of commitment if the decision was reached during the initial period. If the decision is made during a period for which the initial commitment has been extended, then the court's approval would apply to the period for which the commitment was extended.
HB 239 SUBSTANCE ABUSE/MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
Sponsor: Representative Dahlstrom
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 04/17/07
"House Bill 239 proposes several changes to Alaska's statutes concerning drug and alcohol abuse improving the quality of and access to treatment and prevention programs. The legislation:
· mandates priority treatment for pregnant women seeking help in overcoming addiction. This will hopefully have a positive impact by reducing the incidents of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders and in turn save money;
· gives priority to state grantees who utilize evidence-based programs, as well as programs that address substance abuse prevention and addiction within prisons;
· supports the Department of Health and Social Services in their efforts to identify people with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders so this population can be better served; and
· ensures faith-based strategies for treating substance abuse are not discriminated against in statute." -Rep. Dahlstrom
SB 8 MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS RIGHTS: STAFF GENDER
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 05/02/07
"SB 8 provides that a mental health patient 18 years of age or older who is receiving mental health treatment and being provided intimate care at a hospital shall have the right to have care provided by a staff member who is the gender that the patient requests ... The supervisor or manager employed by a hospital shall post notice of this right in a conspicuous place, so patients know they may exercise this right when they are concerned about the gender of staff responsible for their personal intimate care ... the bill requires that the facility document the non-compliance in the patient record that the intimate care was provided by a licensed or unlicensed staff member of a gender opposite that requested by the patient ... Lastly, this bill will preserve information for inquiry into grievance procedures at mental health facilities under Title 47." -Sen. Davis
SB 51 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 01/19/07
This bill, written at the request of Governor Palin, makes appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program.
SB 186 MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT GRIEVANCES
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES and (S) FIN, 01/16/08
SB 186 would repeal and reenact the patient grievance procedure. It would clarify and expand the current statute, including the definition of who is a mental health patient under the statute, and would clarify the grievance procedure at facilities subject to the statute. The bill lays out what information a grievance form must include.
The bill also sets up three levels of review for grievances: an initial review by a supervisory staff member to attempt to reach a mutually agreed-upon resolution of the grievance; if a resolution is not reached, then the grievant must initiate a review by either the chief executive officer if it is a private facility or the commissioner's designee if it is a public facility within 20 days; the grievant may finally appeal the written decision from level two to the Office of Administrative Hearings within 20 days of the level two decision.
The bill also defines several terms used in the legislative language.
SB 195 MENTAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BENEFIT
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) HES, (S) L&C, and (S) FIN, 01/16/08
This bill would affect how health care insurance policies treat certain mental health issues, including alcoholism and substance abuse. It would change certain requirements placed on insurers, including prohibiting the insurer from placing a greater financial burden on an insured for diagnosis or treatment of alcoholism or drug abuse than for other medical care. It also defines certain terms related to the changed statute. SB 195 changes language in certain places that clarifies covered medical care, and clarifies definitions of certain terms used in the bill.
SB 222 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Committee/date of last action: (S) FIN, 01/16/08
This bill, written at the request of Governor Palin, makes appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program.
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| State Boards and Issues |
HB 50 CHILD PLACEMENT COMPACT
Sponsor: Representatives Coghill and Neuman
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07
This bill affects the Interstate Child Placement Compact by seeking to establish an interstate commission for the placement of children. It also seeks to amend Rules 4 and 24 of the Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure.
HB 114 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD
Sponsor: House Labor & Commerce committee
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/30/07
This bill would extend the termination date of the State Medical Board through June 30, 2013.
HB 263 CITIZEN HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
Sponsor: Representative Cissna
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 05/15/07
This bill proposes the formation of the Citizen's Health Advisory Board. It would be created within the Department of Health and Social Services and consist of the following commissioners or commissioners' designees: administration; health and social services; commerce, community, and economic development; corrections; environmental conservation; education and early development; public safety; labor and workforce development; and the attorney general or the attorney general's designee. The board would also consist of 32 persons nominated by all health units or districts who would represent the interested parties in the Alaska health care discussion, including but not limited to insurance companies, Native health care, legislators, and consumers. The stated purpose of the board is to develop strategies and recommendations to improve public health and health care, and to reduce health care costs for state businesses and residents.
HB 276 EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING
Sponsors: Representative Doll
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 01/15/08
HB 276 would extend the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging to June 30, 2016.
HB 279 COMMISSION ON AGING
Sponsors: Representatives Doll and Kerttula
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 01/15/08
This bill would make changes to the duties and powers of the Alaska Commission on Aging and DHSS. Added to the duties of DHSS would be the ability to establish state policy relating to and administering federal programs subject to state control as provided under the Older Americans Act of 1965, and to administer the older Alaskans service grants under certain state statutes and the Adult Day Care and Family Respite Care grants. HB 279 would also affect the role of the Executive Director of the Commission, and would also affect various grants and programs administered by DHSS.
HCR 1 PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH COMPACT
Sponsor: Representative Cissna
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 01/22/07
"Alaska faces a health crisis. The availability of accessible and affordable health care in our great state is challenged by a forecast of shrinking provider ranks and increased need for care, rising costs and limited funds to meet them."
"The Health Compact encourages all Alaskans to make healthy choices to promote their own health and well being, and to share their experiences and ideas with one another. It dedicates the remainder of the year 2007 as a time to join the Compact, and dedicates 2008 as a year for sharing ideas and taking action." -Rep. Cissna
SB 188 EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING
Sponsor: Senator Therriault
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C and (S) FIN, 01/16/08
SB 188 would extend the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging to June 30, 2016.
SB 209 EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING
Sponsor: Senator Davis
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C and (S) FIN, 01/16/08
SB 209 would extend the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging to June 30, 2016.
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| Women's Health Issues |
HB 190 NURSING MOTHERS IN WORKPLACE
Sponsor: Representative Cissna
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES, 04/25/07
This bill would add a new section to AS 23.10 Employment Practices and Working Conditions to specifically address break time in the workplace for nursing mothers. HB 190 calls for reasonable unpaid break time each day for employees who are the nursing mothers of children to either breastfeed or express milk. The timing of such activities must occur at times during the workday that would reasonably ensure the health and comfort of the mother and child, and would allow the employee to maintain breast milk supply. The bill also calls for the employer to provide a private, secure, and sanitary room, or other location in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall, where the employee can express milk or breastfeed the child, only so long as this provision would not create a substantial and undue hardship on the employer. The Department of Labor would enforce this section, and would be responsible for regulating the process by which an employee may register a complaint, and would also be able to issue civil fines to employers.
HB 301 PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION
Sponsors: Representatives Keller and Coghill
Committee/date of last action: (H) JUD, 01/15/08
This bill would define the term "partial-birth abortion," as well as define several acts which are related to the larger definition.
SB 58 JURY DEFERRAL FOR BREAST-FEEDING WOMEN
Sponsor: Senator Elton
Committee/date of last action: (S) JUD, 01/19/07
SB 58 would excuse breastfeeding women from jury duty. A woman may claim such legal exemption provided the child is less than three years of age. The bill would amend Rule 15 (1) of the Alaska Rules of Administration.
HB 270 MEDICAL FACILITY LICENSING/ABORTION
Sponsor: Representative Coghill
Committee/date of last action: (H) HES and (H) JUD, 01/15/08
This bill would add a type of facility to the list of permissible locations in which to perform abortions. It would add facilities licensed as ambulatory surgical centers that are approved for the purpose by DHSS. HB 270 would also clarify issues regarding the payment for abortion services used by DHSS for such a purpose, and would also clarify what is meant by "ambulatory surgical center" for the purposes of performing abortions.
SB 113 NURSING MOTHERS IN WORKPLACE
Sponsor: Senator Ellis
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C, 03/12/07
SB 113 would require employers to "provide reasonable, unpaid break time to nursing mothers for the purposes of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk. The bill also requires employers to provide a sanitary and safe place for the employee to do so, unless doing it would create an undue hardship for the employer." -Sen. Ellis
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| Workers Compensation |
HB 200 WORKER'S COMP: DISEASE PRESUMPTION
Sponsor: Representative Dahlstrom
Committee/date of last action: (H) FIN, 05/05/07
HB 200 would grant "benefits to firefighters stricken with certain types of cancer and heart disease due to their exposure to toxic chemicals, and high levels of carbon monoxide ... The requirements of this bill are that the claims must be made within five years after the last day of employment ... HB 200 also includes a presumption that compensation for certain disabilities resulting from blood born pathogens be covered." -Rep. Dahlstrom
SB 117 WORKER'S COMP: DISEASE PRESUMPTION
Sponsor: Senator French
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C, 03/14/07
"Senate Bill 117 would create a presumption in the Workers' Compensation program that a firefighter with at least seven years on the job who has passed health screening exams earlier in their careers will be provided with benefits if they contract certain forms of pulmonary or heart disease or cancers, as it will be presumed to be a result of their occupation. This presumption is restricted to diseases known to occur with greater frequency among firefighters, and is also capped so that claims cannot be made after sixty months from the firefighter's last date of employment." - Sen. French
SB 147 WORKER'S COMP EMPLOYER LIABILITY
Sponsor: Senator French
Committee/date of last action: (S) L&C, 03/28/07
This bill seeks to remove the phrase "potentially liable" from the worker's compensation statute. Changes in 2004 to the statute allowed employers who are "potentially liable" for buying worker's compensation policies, but who do not actually do so, can still get the benefit of "exclusiveness of remedy," which means that employers who buy a policy know that there won't be court cases arising out of workplace accidents.
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| Please Respect Our Copyright |
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Alaska Health Policy Review is sent to individual and group subscribers for their exclusive use. Please contact us for information regarding significant discounts for multiple subscriptions within a single organization.Distributing copies of the Alaska Health Policy Review is prohibited under copyright restrictions without written permission from the Editor; however, we encourage the use of a few sentences from an issue for reviews and other "Fair Use." We appreciate your referral of colleagues to www.acpp.info/review in order to obtain a sample copy. The Alaska Center for Public Policy holds the copyright for Alaska Health Policy Review. Your respect for our copyright allows us to continue to provide this service to you. For all related matters, please contact the Editor, Lawrence D. Weiss, health.policy.review@gmail.com.
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| Summary of Senate Bill 160 Mandatory Universal Health Care |
Introduction
Senate Bill 160 Mandatory Universal Health Care was introduced during the 2007 session of the Alaska Legislature by Senators Hollis French, Johnny Ellis, and Bill Wielechowski. The bill proposes a system in which every Alaskan would be required to have a health insurance policy. Health insurance is not affordable to every Alaskan, so SB 160 would establish vouchers that would be used to purchase a policy through a "clearinghouse," also established in the legislation. The expressed purpose of the clearinghouse is to ensure that all Alaskans get their choice of policy from a competitive, consumer-based market. "By placing the consumer in control and providing information about comparable products," the senators say, "the clearinghouse should reduce cost increases while increasing customer satisfaction."
The Voucher System
Two types of vouchers would be issued under the bill. The first type offers insurance on a sliding scale to people who cannot afford the full cost of a plan. The sliding scale voucher system is an example of the "individual responsibility" philosophy of this bill, and it is intended to ensure that health insurance is not priced out of the reach of many working Alaskans.
The second type of voucher is a specified beneficiary voucher. Employers or other individuals would make contributions to a fund on behalf of a specified individual to be used to purchase health insurance products. This voucher system offers a way for employers to pool health contributions for an individual and is designed to appeal to individuals who have multiple jobs because it would allow multiple employers to share the cost of coverage. Such a system would allow employers to define their health-related expenditures in terms of fund contribution level as opposed to benefits package type.
The Clearinghouse
The role of the clearinghouse is to disseminate information about health care products in Alaska and to assist the residents who qualified for vouchers under the Alaska health care plan. The clearinghouse would be a division of the Department of Health and Social Services and would administer the Alaska health care plan under the direction of the Alaska Health Care Board.
The Alaska Health Care Board
SB 160 establishes certain responsibilities for the Alaska Health Care Board. The board consists of 11 members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the legislature. One role of the board would be to "weigh in" on possible improvements to be made to the health care system. Some of the areas on which the board would make recommendations include electronic health records and health information exchanges; insurance market reforms; Denali KidCare and Medicaid effectiveness; mandated benefits; and University of Alaska medical offerings. The board's recommendations would be given to the commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services and to the legislature in an annual report, and would also be sent to the governor's office.
The bill includes an "affordability guarantee." The health care board would play a central role in disputes between individuals and the state over the cost of policies. If an individual feels that they still cannot afford a health insurance policy within the legislation's framework, they can appeal to the board. The board would then review the case and decide whether purchasing an insurance plan would place an undue financial burden on the individual. If that is the case, then the requirement to purchase health insurance would be lifted.
The Alaska Health Fund
This fund would be established as a separate trust fund of the state and would serve several purposes. The fund itself would consist of state money appropriated to subsidize uncompensated care; federal money appropriated for use in the fund; private employer and employee health care contributions received by DHSS and appropriated to the fund; health care premiums received by DHSS and appropriated to the fund; other appropriations by the Legislature; any other contributions from either public or private sources that are provided for purposes that are consistent with the goals of the fund; and interest earnings from investments of the fund appropriated to the fund.
Paying for SB 160
Paying for the sliding scale voucher would come from a combination of levies charged to "non-providing employers," and state and federal contributions. Payment for the specified beneficiary voucher would be through the promotion of "equitable financing of health coverage" in order to make it easier for employers to contribute. Contributions to a specified beneficiary fund would not be mandated by the bill.
--AHPR--
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| Commentary: "They've Got Their Knee on My Chest" |
On the morning of January 9, 2008, at the Anchorage offices of AARP, Senator French held a public forum about SB 160 Mandatory Universal Health Care. The proposed legislation is the most far-reaching health reform plan to be proposed in years in the legislature, and it has created a great deal of interest among advocates, policy-makers, corporate interests, and interested members of the public. The room was packed-there were no empty seats.
Senator French spent the first 25 or 30 minutes making a general presentation about SB 160, then opened the floor up for questions. People in the audience seemed somewhat reticent to ask questions, but most of the questions that were asked attempted to get clarification or amplification on issues raised in Senator French's discussion about the bill. During the question and answer period, I asked two questions, preceded by statements that I felt were necessary to set the stage for the questions. My questions addressed fundamental assumptions made by Senator French. I was trying to understand why the bill's sponsors made certain policy choices and not others. Senator French's responses were surprisingly candid and revealing, and are presented here, along with my questions, in a transcript slightly edited for clarity.
Q: I want to congratulate you for getting the discussion on the table, but I am very concerned about this issue that was just raised [a concern about the lack of competition among health insurers in the State of Alaska]. That is the fact that right now Blue Cross Blue Shield [Premera] in this state has two-thirds of the private insurance market, and the rest is scattered about. I really think that's way too important an issue to just dismiss because it's so essential to the operation of your plan. In other words, the whole idea of all these insurance companies competing [with] lower cost and more efficient plans to be a certified insurer in your plan. It's not going to happen. There is no indication it's going to happen.
In light of that, it makes tremendous sense to me, to talk about self-insurance. There are a lot of self-insurers in this state, and my recollection is that even the public employees have a self-insured plan. That would be a plan where you could take full benefit of economies of scale, where the overhead would be a tiny fraction of any private insurer, so you'd get a much bigger bang for your dollars. It just makes perfect sense to do that, and I don't understand why you're so focused on competition in a market that so clearly doesn't have it.
A: It may be that as the discussion happens at the finance table, they slowly come to that perspective. For the time being, to me it's just unrealistic. I agree. I agree. I'm not going to disagree with you on a point by point by point analysis except to say this hasn't happened. It hasn't happened here, it hasn't happened in any other state in the nation. There is something holding that back, and I believe, frankly, it's the political power of the insurance industry. As much as I'd like to say I'm going to wrestle them to the ground and put my knee on their chest and make them do what I want. So far they've got their knee on my chest.
I've got to go with an idea I think that will advance the argument to the point where folks can maybe come to your perspective and say, "My goodness. Look at this choice. We've got one insurance company who is going to offer some policies at $850 bucks a pop. Or we can turn around and do it ourselves for $500." Maybe the scales will fall from the eyes of the folks who are controlling the purse strings and see things differently. Until that happens, this passed in Massachusetts. This became law in the state. From my perspective, it did so because you were able to overcome the enormous, political opposition from extremely well-financed entities. To me, this is how you advance the argument to the point where you can get, perhaps, to the place where you can make the economic decision you were just talking about.
Sometime later in the question and answer portion of the forum, I asked the following question:
Q: Going back to your original thinking on this, why did you decide to launch into an entirely new plan when it might be more politically expedient to, for example, to talk about expanding Medicaid to the limits, as has been done in other states; expanding Denali KidCare as far as you could go with it; and as has happened in dozens of other states, directly contributing a few tens of millions of dollars to the Community Health Centers-one hundred and thirty clinics across the state. They already exist.
All of this, I'm guessing, would cost a fraction of what you're talking about and probably would end up actually treating in a very real way, and providing real access to some very large percentage of the people that you are trying to address. It seems to me this would be a more efficient way of doing it in terms of the actual health care [delivered] per dollar, and these are programs that already have political acceptance. It's just a question of expanding them rather than starting some whole new program. I'm just curious why you made that decision.
A: Let me use Denali KidCare as a good example. I was elected to the state legislature in 2002. In 2003, in one of the most partisan days I've had on the floor of the state senate, we reduced the eligibility level of Denali KidCare down to 150%. It was a hard-core party line vote: eight Democrats against it, twelve Republicans for it, and it produced anger and animosity that lasted up until this year when we finally fixed the problem--but not in a significant way. We raised it to 175%, right? That's what was politically [possible] for Denali KidCare in this new legislature. I agree that's a nice way to go about business. My view is that we ought to be at 300% of federal poverty level for Denali KidCare, the way a lot of states are. But that wasn't going to happen in this legislature. This I believe can pass the legislature. Once we get folks to understand that it will work. It's a big idea. I agree. We got a 25% increase in Denali KidCare this year through a massive struggle, so I don't quite share your optimism that the incremental approach will work when I've been through two wars on that topic just in the last couple of years.
I would like to suggest this: For every dollar the state of Alaska spends on Medicaid health insurance or Denali KidCare health insurance, the federal government chips in another dollar, more or less. If the uninsured child who qualifies for Denali KidCare is an American Indian/Alaska Native, the federal government pays 100 percent of the cost of the health insurance. The political struggle might be joined by lots of allies if it were clearly demonstrated that the savings to the general fund and to taxed employers would total tens or hundreds of millions of dollars by expanding current programs to insure the uninsured, rather than starting a new program that relies on high-overhead private insurers and will not be reimbursed with federal funds. Just a thought.
Lawrence D. Weiss
Editor, AHPR |
| Alaska Health Policy Calendar |
This calendar of health policy-related legislative meetings is current as of January 16, 2008 at 5 PM. Please visit the Alaska State Legislature's list of committee hearings for the most current listings, as they are subject to change.
January 18, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Governor's FY 09 budget proposal; teleconferenced
January 21, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Division of Health Care Services programs; adult dental Medicaid services; audits; Legislative Medicaid Program Review SB 61; Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Medicaid reform; teleconferenced
January 21, 2008, 1 PM
What: House Judiciary Committee
Where: Capitol 120, Juneau
Other information: hearing HB 301 "Partial-Birth Abortion"; teleconferenced
January 23, 2008, 7:00 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Rate review & rate adjustments; Division of Senior and Disabilities Services/DD waitlist; teleconferenced
January 23, 2008, 1:30 PM
What: Senate Health, Education, and Social Services Committee
Where: Butrovitch 205, Juneau
Other information: hearing SB 212 "Medical Assistance Eligibility"; teleconferenced
January 25, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Alaska Pioneer Homes; Division of Public Assistance; teleconferenced
January 28, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Division of Public Health; teleconferenced
January 30, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Office of Children's Services; Division of Juvenile Justice; teleconferenced
February 1, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Departmental Support Services; Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiative; teleconferenced
February 4, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; teleconferenced
February 6, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: Division of Behavioral Health; teleconferenced
February 8, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: topic TBA; teleconferenced
February 11, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: topic draft closeout; teleconferenced
February 13, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: topic TBA; teleconference
February 15, 2008, 7:30 AM
What: House Health & Social Services Committee finance subcommittee
Where: House Finance 519, Capitol, Juneau
Other information: closeout; teleconference
--AHPR-- |
| AHPR Staff |
Lawrence D. Weiss Ph.D., M.S., Editor
Jacqueline Yeagle, Marketing and Communications Manager
Elizabeth Agi, Policy Analyst Intern
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