Alaska Health Policy Review

Dear Reader:

In this end-of-the-session issue of the Alaska Health Policy Review, we feature three diverse articles, and an expanded Bill Watch section that provides an overview of health legislation at the end of the session. I believe you will find this issue particularly interesting. Moreover, this issue is a transition of sorts.

The second session of Alaska's 25th Legislature is over. Consequently, this is the last weekly issue of Alaska Health Policy Review. Beginning next month, in May, we return to a monthly publication schedule until the beginning of the first session of the 26th Legislature in 2009. Meanwhile, for the rest of this year the monthly schedule will allow us to resume our in-depth interviews of legislators, advocates, lobbyists, providers, and others who influence and create health policy in Alaska. In addition, we will conduct in-depth analyses of current or proposed health policies, and we will occasionally summarize innovative health policies in other states that may have application or lessons for use here in Alaska.

You will not want to miss a single issue the rest of the year, and I suspect neither will your colleagues. Please advise your colleagues who do not have a subscription to Alaska Health Policy Review that a sample copy and subscription information may be found at akhealthpolicy.org.

This issue of AHPR starts with a selection from the AARP Alaska 2008 State Legislative Agenda: Final End of Session Report. Pat Luby, Advocacy Director for AARP Alaska, wrote this informative analysis. We have selected for your review a subset of bills from the full report that are of significant health policy importance.

The second feature article is entitled Hunger: the Invisible Health Crisis, authored by Shawn Powers, Director of Advocacy at Food Bank of Alaska. The article links the hunger crisis with specific health issues, and discusses the relationship from a policy point of view. The author concludes with an Alaska hunger policy road map for the future.

The third feature article is a summary of the recently announced health insurance plans for Alaska nonprofit organizations devised by the Foraker Group, which is itself an Alaska nonprofit organization. Dennis McMillian, President of Foraker, has been touring the state making presentations about the short-term and long-term prospects for health insurance coverage for nonprofits. We list a couple of his upcoming presentations in the Health Policy Calendar.

Finally, the regular bill tracking feature has been somewhat expanded to include the final, or almost-final disposition of dozens of health-related bills we have been following in the pages of Alaska Health Policy Review during the legislative session.

One more thing: A few months ago I was offered the opportunity by the Anchorage Daily News to become a "Community Blogger" on health policy and related practical issues. I invite you to take a look at Health4all. It is a more informal, more accessible, and perhaps more irreverent way of writing about health policy and related topics. I have to say it may be more fun, too.

In any case, among others, I have written a series of postings called, Free and Cheap Health Care, which highlights less expensive ways to get health care and prescription drugs in Alaska that may not be readily apparent to all readers. Another series is called, Why are drugs so Expensive? In the near future, I anticipate doing a series on health care in other countries, which may offer practical solutions for our troubled system. Please take a look at Health4all and leave your comments right there on the blog.

Lawrence D. Weiss PhD MS
Editor, AHPR

AARP Alaska 2008 State Legislative Agenda Final Report

On April 16, 2008, AARP Alaska released a comprehensive report, AARP Alaska 2008 State Legislative Agenda: Final End of Session Report. Here we reprint just those items in the report that have significant health policy content. Our comments appear in square brackets. Many thanks to AARP Advocacy Director, Patrick Luby, for his knowledgeable analysis and for giving Alaska Health Policy Review the opportunity to publish it.

NOTE: Latest information is italicized. These bills, including the budget appropriations, have gone to Governor Palin. It is possible that some of them may be vetoed.

Public pensions: WINNING SO FAR; MOVED FURTHER THAN EXPECTED
Senator Kim Elton, a Democrat, and Senator Lesil McGuire, a Republican, jointly introduced SB 183, which would reverse action taken by the Legislature in 2005 under SB 141. Prior to SB 141, Alaska's teachers and municipal and state employees participated in a defined benefit pension plan [that included a solid health insurance plan]. Since most of Alaska's public employees do not participate in Social Security, it was critical that they have a defined benefit that could not be outlived. SB 141 changed the system to a defined contribution plan [and replaced the health insurance plan with a vastly inferior one]. It is possible to outlive your contributions and, without Social Security, some retirees would find themselves with no income. NEA, the AFL-CIO, and all the public employee unions and municipal police and firefighter organizations are backing SB 183 to return to the defined benefit program [and superior health insurance plan] of Tier III under PERS and Tier II under TRS. AARP, the Alaska Retired Educators Association, and the Retired Public Employees Association are all supporting SB 183. Senate President Lyda Green does not like the bill and she referred it to four separate committees.

The bill passed the Senate Labor and Commerce and Senate State Affairs and Senate Judiciary and was sent on to Senate Finance. The Public Pension Coalition pushed to have Senator Stedman schedule a hearing in Senate Finance. Since he was the primary mover of the old bill, SB 141, which did away with the defined benefit system, he was expected to resist the effort. He did not hold a hearing. Whether the bill was heard or not, all 16 organizations participating in the coalition plan to make this effort an election issue for all House and Senate candidates in the November elections.

Family and Community Elder Supports (FACES): WIN
AARP supported the FACES initiative to expand home and community based services for older Alaskans and their unpaid family caregivers. The intent of home and community based services is to prevent premature and inappropriate institutionalization. Most people prefer to remain in their community and in their own home. With less expensive services, this can be accomplished. However, it does cost some money to provide these services and support family members who are voluntarily helping older relatives remain at home. These services include everything from meals on wheels to adult day care. Funding for these services has been flat for several years while the number of older Alaskans has grown significantly. The FACES campaign is asking the Legislature for an additional $1.5 million.

One million dollars of the requested funding was put into the budget and has been sent to Governor Palin.

Health care for all Alaskans: WINNING SO FAR; MOVED FURTHER THAN EXPECTED
One of the most important bills that will be heard is SB 160, authored by Senator Hollis French. A companion bill, HB 242, was introduced into the House by Representative Gabrielle LeDoux. The bills are meant to address "Affordable Health Insurance for All Alaskans." Unwilling to wait on Congress to do something about the 20% of Alaskans under age 65 who have no health insurance, the Legislature will debate these bills and hopefully come up with a solution that is fair for everyone. If a citizen does not have health insurance and needs medical care, it will be provided. If he can't pay for it, the next person in the door with a policy will pick up part of his cost. Several states are coming up with a legislative program to assure coverage and personal responsibility for health costs. Alaska may not come to a conclusion this session but these bills will certainly get the discussion going. Both bills have been referred to the HESS Committees.

SB 160 passed Senate HESS and Labor and Commerce and was sent to Senate Finance. The Senate Finance Committee did offer a hearing and Senator French presented the bill two days before adjournment. Having a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee was itself a major victory. Senator French continues to modify the bill and we can expect significant expansion and input. Senator French has openly welcomed any suggestions from all parties.

Funding for Community Health Centers: WIN
Older Alaskans on Medicare in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau have all complained that they are unable to locate a physician who will accept them. Many have been told, upon their 65th birthday, that they will need to find another doctor. Alaska's Community Health Centers have continued to accept all Medicare patients. However, these centers are under funded. Most states supplement the federal funding. Alaska does not. AARP is supporting a request by the Alaska Primary Care Association for state funding for the centers. We believe it will reduce inappropriate (and very expensive) emergency room visits and will help support the only alternative many Medicare beneficiaries now have for access to a physician.

The Governor included $350,000 in her version of the budget, which was approved by both the House and Senate. The Senate added another $1 million for operating cost increases. In addition, the Senate is recommending $2.5 million earmarked for health information technology for the community health centers. In the House/Senate Budget Conference Committee, it was agreed to send the entire $3.85 million appropriation to the Governor.

Task Force on Health Care Infections: NO MOVEMENT SINCE 2007
Senator Gary Stevens introduced SB 62, which would establish a task force that would require reporting of infections that occur within a health facility. The ultimate purpose of the bill is to reduce errors in health facilities that cause additional health problems. Depending on the facility, 6 to 17% of hospitalized patients will acquire a new infection after they have entered the hospital. Because of declining immunity and longer hospital stays, older patients are particularly at risk. The task force will provide information on in-hospital infection rates to Alaska health care consumers. SB 62 passed Senate HESS and is now in Senate Finance. No hearing is currently scheduled at this time.

Senator Stevens appeared to have lost interest in this issue and did not move the bill. The last activity was in March 2007.

Expansion of Denali KidCare: LOSS
Senator Bettye Davis introduced SB 212, which would raise the eligibility levels for children to be accepted into the Denali KidCare program from 175% of the federal poverty level to 200%. AARP supports providing health coverage to all children who are uninsured. The bill passed the Senate and the House Health, Education and Social Services Committee on the evening before the Legislature adjourned. The Budget Conference Committee had already provided the funding.

However, Representative John Coghill held the bill in the House Rules Committee and refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. The bill died at the end of session and the appropriation for funding will not go forward.

Expansion of responsibilities for dental hygienists: WIN
Representative Bill Stoltze introduced HB 136, which expands the scope of practice of dental hygienists. Dental hygienists work under licensed dentists, and focus on preventing and treating oral diseases. Several other states already allow them to:

Place fillings into a cavity already prepared by a dentist
Administer a local anesthetic under supervision of a dentist
Enter into an agreement with a dentist in which the dentist authorizes the hygienist to work on specified tasks

Alaska will never have as many health professionals as we need, especially in our remote communities. HB 136 will help expand our oral health delivery system and remain under the supervision of trained and licensed dentists. AARP supports HB 136.

This bill was stalled and had not moved since 2007. In the last weeks of the session, the bill was merged with HB 319, authored by Representative Jay Ramras, which expanded responsibilities for dental assistants. The final bill incorporated expansion of the scopes of practice for both dental hygienists and dental assistants and was passed and is on its way to the Governor.

Education loan repayment program: NO MOVEMENT SINCE 2007
Representative Craig Johnson has introduced HB 234, which would offer student loan repayment for up to five years or 50% of the outstanding loan. Loan repayment would be available to students in fields identified as having a severe workforce shortage, e.g., health care, teaching, and the technical jobs required by resource development and the gas pipeline. AARP supports this as a technique that works to draw students into specific fields and helps them stay here in Alaska to work. Although introduced in April 2007, the bill has not had a hearing yet. No hearing in House HESS is scheduled at this time.

Mandatory sick leave: MOVED AS FAR AS EXPECTED
Currently about 40% of Alaska's workforce are not provided sick leave. Many of these workers are part timers. SB 258, authored by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, would provide one hour of sick leave for every forty hours worked, whether full or part-time. SB 258 has strong support from the Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AkPIRG) as well as AARP. The bill was heard for the first time in Senate Labor and Commerce and is awaiting a second hearing (not scheduled at this time).

It was not expected to move beyond this first hearing. It will probably be reintroduced in 2009 with more active support from legislators who may be interested in this issue.

Governor Palin's Health Commission, Plan & Facilities Proposal: DIED IN COMMITTEE
Governor Palin introduced companion bills in the House, HB 337, and in the Senate, SB 245, that address three separate issues:

Establishing a statewide health advisory commission
Eliminating the Certificate of Need for new health facilities
Creating a transparency program so consumers can determine cost of services, pharmaceuticals, etc., as well as the quality record of a particular facility or health provider.

Hunger: The Invisible Health Crisis

Guest Commentary by Shawn Powers, Director of Advocacy at Food Bank of Alaska

Introduction

There is an ongoing health crisis in Alaska that gets relatively little attention from state policymakers, and that is the fact that one of eight Alaskan households faces a daily struggle against hunger. Being hungry exposes people not just to the pain of an empty stomach, but also to an increased risk of a host of health problems, from anemia to depression. While the major anti-hunger programs are mostly funded and regulated at the federal level, there is a great deal that the state can do to expand the reach of nutrition assistance.

The Extent of Hunger in Alaska

Hunger is a very serious, widespread, and growing problem in Alaska. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 12.6% of households in Alaska are "food insecure," meaning that they lack "assured access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members." This rate places Alaska near the national average but represents a sharp increase from ten years ago, when Alaska's food insecurity rate stood at 8.7%. Moreover, 5.1% of Alaska households now suffer from "very low food security"--what the USDA used to call "food insecurity with hunger"--meaning that over the course of a year they reported multiple indications of reduced food intake.

Another sign of the extent of hunger in Alaska is demand for emergency food from Food Bank of Alaska (FBA) partner agencies such as food pantries and soup kitchens. According to Hunger in America 2006, the most recent comprehensive survey of emergency food agencies and clients, 83,000 Alaskans seek food assistance each year. With economic recession looming and consumers facing the worst food price inflation in 17 years, requests for food assistance are likely only to increase. Already this spring, some FBA partner agencies are reporting 15-20% increases in requests for help.

Hunger as a Health Issue

It is no secret that good nutrition is an essential component of good health. Conversely, a lack of proper nutrition leaves people more vulnerable to a host of adverse health outcomes. Most of the research on the health consequences of hunger have focused on children, who are especially vulnerable to hunger-related health problems because of the critical role that nutrition plays in their developing bodies and brains. Key areas of research include:

Health Status: Household food insecurity is strongly associated with poorer overall health status for children.
Illness, Infection and Iron Deficiency: Several studies have linked food insecurity with more frequent stomachaches and headaches; colds and ear infections; and higher rates of iron deficiency anemia.
Hospitalizations and Doctor Visits: Food-insecure children from birth to age three were 33% more likely than food-secure children to have been hospitalized according to in one study. Other studies found that food-insecure children make more frequent doctor visits.
Mental Health: Food insecurity is associated with higher levels of anxiety, irritability, aggressive or withdrawn behaviors, and depression. Food-insecure teenagers from a national sample were more than twice as likely to have seen a psychologist. A British study found that prison inmates who received nutritional supplements committed significantly fewer violent offenses.
Obesity: Paradoxically, food insecurity has also been linked with obesity. Households with limited food budgets must rely on the cheaper calories in highly processed food at the expense of more healthful, but costlier, fresh produce, dairy, and meat.

Allowing Alaskans to go hungry not only harms the victims of hunger, it is also bad economics and bad health policy, as undernutrition leads to costly medical problems down the road.

State Anti-Hunger Policy: A Wish List

Most anti-hunger policy happens at the federal level, since the USDA provides most of the funding and regulation for the Food Stamp Program, school meals, summer and child care food programs, and other nutrition programs. However, there is still a great deal that the Alaska Legislature could do to help reverse the alarming growth of the hunger problem in Alaska. Here is an anti-hunger advocate's wish list for state policy:

Expanding School Breakfast: More than 8,500 low-income children in Alaska attend a school that does not provide breakfast under the federal School Breakfast Program (SBP), which partly explains why Alaska is in 48th place among the states for participation in a program with proven health and educational benefits. Faced with high labor, food, and transportation costs, many schools find it difficult to afford a breakfast program even with the federal reimbursements. Recognizing the need to support school breakfast, 39 other states have enacted some kind of state level legislation supporting the SBP, many providing state funds to match the federal funds. Food Bank of Alaska and its partners have recommended that the state provide a $1 million line item in the Education and Early Development (EED) budget to provide a state matching reimbursement for school breakfast. The request did not make it into this year's operating budget.
Food Stamp Outreach: The Food Stamp Program is the largest anti-hunger resource available in Alaska, but only 67 percent of eligible Alaskans participate in the program. Most eligible non-participants are unaware of their eligibility. Food Bank of Alaska is now operating the state's first formal outreach program under an agreement with the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance. The outreach program provides information, eligibility pre-screening, and application assistance to potentially eligible but non-participating Alaskans. The outreach program is currently funded with a grant from the United Way of Anchorage and with federal matching funds from the USDA. A small investment of state funds--as little as $50,000 per year--would ensure sustainability for the program. Given that Alaskans are missing more than $29 million per year in unclaimed federal food stamp benefits, the return on investment in outreach can be quite impressive.
Matching Funds for WIC: The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is among the most successful of all federal programs. WIC provides vouchers for selected foods that meet the special nutritional needs of pregnant women, infants, and young children, and also provides nutrition education and other health services. Researchers have found that every dollar spent on prenatal WIC services saves Medicaid between $1.77 and $3.13 thanks to improved birth outcomes. Once again, unlike many other states, Alaska provides no direct financial support for WIC services, but could follow the lead of other states in providing matching funds for this critical program.
Supporting the Charitable Food System: Food Bank of Alaska estimates that to completely address the need for emergency food in Alaska, the charitable food system would need to distribute 13 million pounds of food per year. FBA and its partner agencies currently distribute slightly less than half that amount--6 million pounds per year. Many states appropriate funds for food banks to purchase food to supplement donated food; for example, Arizona has a $2.1 million line item in the state operating budget for rural food banks. Alaska' Department of Health and Social Services now provides $40,000 per year for Thanksgiving turkeys, but a larger investment in the charitable food system would support year-round purchases of nutritious items that are hard to get through donations, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Covering the Uninsured: Providing more Alaskans with health insurance can help prevent hunger. Just as hunger can cause illness, illness can cause hunger, if there's not enough money to pay for food and medical needs. According to Hunger in America 2006, 32% of clients at emergency food agencies in Alaska have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medical care. SB 212, Senator Bettye Davis's bill to raise the eligibility standard for Denali KidCare to 200% of the poverty line, would have been a step in the right direction. The bill, which died in the House Rules Committee at the end of this year's session, would have extended the state children's health insurance program to 1,200 more low-income children.

For more information, please contact Shawn Powers, Director of Advocacy at Food Bank of Alaska, at spowers@foodbankofalaska.org.

Foraker Releases Health Insurance Plan for Nonprofits

The Foraker Group is unique among Alaska nonprofit organizations. In fact, it is somewhat unusual even by national standards. Foraker was established to strengthen the nonprofit sector with a focus on five major goals:

Promote organizational sustainability
Encourage boards and staff to act strategically
Provide high-quality, cost-effective education and training
Assist organizations with collaborations
Promote a culture of philanthropy

Several years ago Foraker decided to explore the possibility of finding a less expensive alternative to health insurance for employees of Alaska's nonprofit organizations. This is the result of that effort. Dennis McMillian, president of Foraker, has been making presentations across Alaska about Foraker's health insurance plan. Future presentations can be found on the Foraker education calendar. The following is a summary of the Foraker health insurance plan for nonprofits. It is republished here by permission:

Three years ago, The Foraker Group attempted to offer a group health care plan for Alaska's nonprofits. Unfortunately, that initiative was postponed because we were not able to make the program work in a way that would have provided cost-effective rates. However, that did not stop our efforts. We remained committed to giving our Partners a program that encourages personal responsibility for health care while offering coverage at a reasonable cost to organizations and their employees. The new Foraker Group Health Insurance Plan will do that, and we're pleased to announce it to our Partners.

The program is offered in cooperation with Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. It will offer competitive rates based on each organization's profile, with employer groups individually underwritten. When 1,500 (employee) lives are covered for at least one year, Premera will recognize The Foraker Group Health Insurance Plan as an association plan and premium rates will then be based upon the larger group's claims loss experience.

The most notable difference between this plan and the one offered in 2005 is that no initial investment for stop-loss coverage is required from The Foraker Group, significantly reducing the cost to establish the program.

The Plan

This plan represents a fundamental shift in the approach to employee benefits. Over the past decade, employers, especially those in small organizations, have moved from defined benefit plans (the traditional retirement pension plan) to defined contribution plans (like 401-K plans). In the same way, health insurance is moving toward a system of incentives that promote individual responsibility for staying healthy, as opposed to a system that simply treats people after they've become sick or injured. Economically, the former approach is much more cost-effective. Pay a little to stay well and help avoid the high costs of becoming ill.

The program will consist of two designs:

A $1,500 deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA)

This plan allows individuals and employers to contribute tax deductible funds into health savings accounts (HSAs) designed to cover out-of-pocket, qualified medical expenses (such as deductibles and co-insurance) for all covered employees and families.

Current contribution limits to HSAs are $2,900 for a single employee and $5,800 for a family.

A traditional (catastrophic) indemnity plan with a $2,500 deductible rate

This plan would be available to employers who cannot afford or logistically participate in the HSA plan. It will allow them to at least provide catastrophic coverage.

While each plan has a high deductible level, each offers annual preventive care options including annual physicals and other routine preventive tests.

The Wellness Strategy

Research indicates that the health of groups improves dramatically when health risk management plans are in effect. In addition, productivity increases and absenteeism decreases when the overall general health of the group improves. The Foraker plan is designed to promote personal responsibility for wellness. It will require that employers agree to have their employees ask to participate in a comprehensive Health and Productivity or Health Risk Management program--both of which include an online health risk assessment. Individuals who fall in a high-risk category after taking the assessment will be requested to work with a health coach to learn how to improve their health and receive support to enhance their opportunity for good outcomes. This program also makes available on-site biometric testing for many employers with individual follow-up as needed as a cost of approximately $160 per year, per employee.

Projected Premium Costs

During the initial phase, the rate for each organization will be based on its unique profile. The HSA plan will require employers to contribute at least one-half of the deductible level for employees, or $750 per individual or $1,200 per family or 40% matched by at least $300 from the employee, or 10%, into the employee's HSA. We encourage employers to cover 100% of the deductible amount, or more. Costs for this plan would start below comparable, off-the-shelf traditional plans, even with the requirements for health risk management and contributions for health savings accounts. Compared to a traditional $500 deductible plan, the $1,500 deductible HSA plan with Foraker would provide from 20% to 25% savings in premiums. HSAs are pre-tax, with the savings accounts being cumulative and transportable.

The $2,500 indemnity plan would cost less than traditional plans and should provide any nonprofit the option to offer at least some coverage.

Both plans will include medical, prescription and in and outpatient mental health benefits.
We believe The Foraker Group Health Insurance Plan will improve the overall health of the sector, along with providing affordable coverage and stable rates. This plan is a result of a significant contribution of time and creativity by Jeff Ranf, The Wallace Group, and Jeff Davis and Barbara Russell at Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield. It has been developed with ongoing support from the Rasmuson Foundation.

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Bill Watch: End-of-Legislature Bill Summary

This week's Bill Watch comes after the close of the 25th Legislature. As such, we've altered the format to provide a summary of where each health-related bill was at the end of the session. Categories designate bills that have been signed by the governor, those that are awaiting return from the governor, those that have been transmitted to the governor, those still awaiting transmittal to the governor, those whose last update was in 2008, and whose last update was in 2007.

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 April 17 at 1 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
�    (H) MLV: House Military & Veterans' Affairs Committee
�    (S) STA: Senate State Affairs Committee

Bill Watch: Law

Senate Bill 249 Capstone Avionics Fund/Loans and Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 Brain Injury Awareness Month: March 2008 are both "on the books," as it were. SB 249 was signed into law on April 9, 2008, with an effective date of July 1, 2008. SCR 17 was permanently filed by the lieutenant governor on March 10, 2008.

SB 249 CAPSTONE AVIONICS FUND/LOANS
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Last action: signed into law Chapter 15 SLA 08, 04/09/08
Effective dates: July 1, 2008

SB 248 would establish the Alaska Capstone Avionics Revolving Loan Fund within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. The bill declares it to be the policy of the state to increase the safety of air carrier, air taxi, and general aviation intrastate air transportation in the state by providing low interest loans to qualified applicants for the purpose of purchasing and installing capstone avionics equipment. The Fund would exist to provide loans towards that effect.

SCR 17 BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH: MARCH 2008
Sponsor: Senators McGuire and Ellis
Last action: permanently filed, 03/10/08
Effective dates: none given

SCR 17 would establish March 2008 as Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Bill Watch: Due Back From Governor

Senate Bill 149 Redistribution of Used Eyeglasses was transmitted to the governor for signature or veto on April 7, 2008, and is due back on April 24. If it is signed into law by the governor or allowed to become law without a signature, not being given an effective date means the bill is automatically effective 90 days after enactment.

SB 149 REDISTRIBUTION OF USED EYEGLASSES
Sponsor: Senator Therriault
Last action: due back from governor, 04/24/08
Effective dates: none given

SB 149 would amend the current statute relating to the redistribution of used eyeglasses, as well as amend the language to refer to the Board of Dispensing Opticians. The bill would give the Board the power to approve nonprofit organizations for the redistribution and fitting of used eyeglasses. It would also limit the authority of a nonprofit organization approved by the department to distribute and fit used eyeglasses if the eyeglasses are distributed and fitted free of charge and the fitting of the eyeglasses conforms, to the extent possible, with a written prescription from a licensed physician or optometrist.

Bill Watch: Transmitted to Governor

Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 Perianesthesia Nurses Week: Feb. 2008 was transmitted to the governor's office to be permanently filed on April 7, 2008. As of April 17, 2008, it is still awaiting permanent filing by the lieutenant governor.

SCR 14 PERIANESTHESIA NURSES WEEK: FEB 2008
Sponsor: Senator Green
Last action: transmitted to governor, 04/07/08
Effective date: none given

SCR 14 would proclaim February 14-10, 2008 as Perianesthesia Nurses Week.

Bill Watch: Awaiting Transmittal to Governor

SJR 11 SUPPORTING U.S. VETERANS' HEALTH CARE
Sponsor: Senator Wielechowski
Committee(s) and date of last action: awaiting transmittal to governor, 03/21/08

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

Bill Watch: Last Action in 2008 - Second Session

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

Bill Watch: Last Action in 2007 - First Session

The last actions taken on these bills were during the first session of the 25th Legislature--that is, in 2007. These bills were not acted upon at all during 2008. The committees listed are those that each bill was still referred to, while the date signifies the when the last action, in any committee, was taken.

HB 4 HB MEDICAL FACILITY CERTIFICATE OF NEED
Sponsor: Representative Lynn
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES, 04/24/07

"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

HB 345 MEDICAL FACILITY CERTIFICATE OF NEED
Sponsor: Representatives Kelly and Kawasaki
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 02/26/08

HB 345 would amend the current certificate of need statute to exclude expenditures for diagnostic imaging equipment in certain circumstances. The bill defines "critical access hospital" for the purposes of certificate of need applications, and adds a section to the uncodified law of the state regarding the applicability of the new statute to facilities.

SB 65 MEDICAL FACILITY CERTIFICATE OF NEED
Sponsor: Senator Huggins
Committee(s) and date of last action: (S) HES, 04/24/07

"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

HB 81 ALASKA PRESCRIPTION DRUG TASK FORCE
Sponsors: Representatives Guttenberg, Cissna, and Gruenberg
Committee(s) and 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(s) and 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(s) and 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.

SB 114 DRUG PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION
Sponsor: Senate Health, Education, and Social Services committee
Committee(s) and 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.

HB 55 WWAMI MEDICAL SCHOOL
Sponsor: Representative Kelly
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES, 01/16/07

"The purpose of HB 55 is to address the sever 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(s) and 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(s) and 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(s) and date of last action: (S) SED, (S) HES, and (S) FIN, 02/21/07

"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

HB 36 NURSE SUPERVISION OF EMT TRAINING
Sponsor: Representative Kawasaki
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) L&C and (H) HES, 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 Alaska will be able to provide skilled workers with complete understanding of the necessary lifesaving skills." -Rep. Kawasaki

HB 100 AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES
Sponsor: Representatives Coghill and Wilson
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) L&C, 04/03/07

"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(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 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(s) and 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

SB 29 MEDICAL PATIENT BILLING DISCLOSURES
Sponsor: Senator Dyson
Committee(s) and 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(s) and date of last action: (S) HES, 03/26/07

"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

HB 140 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY
Sponsors: Representatives Gara, Buch, Kawasaki, Doll, Gardner, and Gruenberg
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES, 07/27/07

"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.
Sponsors: Representatives Hawker, Harris, Coghill, Samuels, Chenault, Meyer, and Foster
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) RLS, 05/16/07

"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
Sponsors: Representatives Doll and Gruenberg
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 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 must come from households with incomes that do not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line for Alaska, as set by the US DHHS.

HB 242 MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Sponsor: Representatives LeDoux, Buch, and Gara
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES, (H) L&C, and (H) FIN, 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 SYSTEMSponsor: Representative Cissna
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES, 01/22/07

This resolution seeks to recognize the need for an integrated statewide 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 of 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(s) and 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: Senators Wielechowski, French, Ellis, Elton, and Davis
Committee(s) and 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(s) and 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.

HB 173 INVOLUNTARY PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG TREATMENT
Sponsor: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) JUD, 04/12/07

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(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 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 51 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
Sponsor: Rules by request of the governor
Committee(s) and 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.

HB 114 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD
Sponsor: House Labor & Commerce committee
Committee(s) and /date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 03/12/07

This bill would extend the termination date of the State Medical Board through June 30, 2013.

HB 263 CITIZEN HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
Sponsor: Representatives Cissna, Doll, Kawasaki, and Doogan
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES and (H) FIN, 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.

HCR 1 PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH COMPACT
Sponsor: Representatives Cissna and Gruenberg
Committee(s) and date of last action: (H) HES, 04/17//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 58 JURY DEFERRAL FOR BREAST-FEEDING WOMEN
Sponsor: Senator Elton
Committee(s) and 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.

CON Watch

Alaska Health Policy Calendar

April 21, 2008, 10-11 AM
What: The Foraker Group Health Insurance Plan
Where: The Foraker Group Training Room, 161 Klevin Street, Suite 101, Anchorage
Other information: call 907-743-1200 or 1-877-834-5003 for more information

May 3, 2008, 8 AM-Noon
What: Mat-Su Health Coverage Expo
Where: AT&T Sports Center, Palmer/Wasilla Highway and North Double B Street
Other information: resource fair; health coverage forums; held in conjunction with the Mat-Su Health Fair featuring free health education and screenings, and low cost blood tests; call 907-841-1634 for more information

AHPR Staff

Lawrence D. Weiss Ph.D., M.S., Editor
Jacqueline Yeagle, Marketing and Communications Manager
Elizabeth Agi, Associate Policy Analyst

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