topAlaska Health Policy Review
comprehensive, authoritative, nonpartisan
January 14, 2011 - Vol 5, Issue 1
In This Issue
Important Information About this Newsletter
Highlights of the Alaska Health Care Commission 2010 Draft Report
Please Respect Our Copyright
Alaska Receives Performance Bonus for Improving Children's Health Care
How Will the Affordable Care Act Bolster Primary Care?
CON Watch
Health Policy Calendar
Bill Watch: Prefiled Health Policy Bills
Bill Watch: Drugs
Bill Watch: Health Professional Workforce and Health Education
Bill Watch: Medical Assistance and Health Insurance
Bill Watch: State Boards and Issues
Bill Watch: Family Health Issues
Bill Watch: Worker's Compensation
Bill Watch: Public Safety
Bill Watch: General Health Policy
Bill Watch: Bill Tracking Methodology
AHPR Staff and Contributors
Subscribe Now to the Alaska Health Policy Review
Resources
From the Editor

Dear Reader:

I would like to welcome you to the new year, and to the 27th Alaska State Legislature, which starts January 18, 2011 and ends April 17 (unless extended). During the last couple of months, even as recently as this morning (January 13), I have been attending conferences, meetings, presentations, and forums featuring discussions about the future of the Affordable Care Act national health legislation, and how it may impact states. My focus has been on how it may impact the cost, quality, and accessibility of health care in Alaska, but it is all connected.

However, all that overlays or interacts with ongoing issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, Denali KidCare, the cost of private health insurance if you can get it, and the efficacy of health insurance even if you have it. There are the complex issues of behavioral health, and there is the more hidden, under-the radar-realm of classic public health issues such as clean water and air, and occupational safety and health. All of this is cross-cut by the health system silos such as Veterans Affairs; a plethora of hospitals and clinics that are public, for-profit private, and non-profit private; Community Health Centers, programs for military dependents, and various Alaska Native health systems.

Yes, it is mind-boggling. Nevertheless, our intention here at Alaska Health Policy Review is to try to fit the big picture together on the one hand, and at the same time introduce you to many of the major health policy actors on the other. We will introduce you to key institutional players you may be only vaguely aware of, and drill down into the activities of these institutions. Meanwhile we will track health-related legislation you are interested in during the 27th Legislature and beyond.

I get tired just thinking about it, but we will do our best. Your comments and financial support always appreciated. Here are a couple of things that are "in the can" as we say in the back office, currently being prepared for your review.
  • We recorded the opening talk give by Dr. Linda Rae Murray at the Alaska Public Health Association Health Summit meeting earlier this week. Dr. Murray is president of the American Public Health Association. It was an extraordinary talk about the relationship of public health to broader socio-economic issues. She delivered it in an impassioned manner and received an extended standing ovation at its conclusion.
  • We have also just recently conducted an extensive and revealing interview with Pamela Miller, founder and executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). In this interview she discusses the work of her organization in rural Alaska on a wide variety of issues and projects relating to clean air and water, and the protection of Native foods. In addition, she comments on past and prospective legislation being tracked and/or advocated by ACAT.
Stay tuned. The coming months are sure to be exciting and revealing in terms of emerging issues in health policy. One more thing -- I want to emphasize that health policy may seem abstract, but its consequences are local, personal, and intensely emotional.

Lawrence D. Weiss PhD, MS
Editor, AHPR
[email protected]

Important Information About this Newsletter

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Highlights of the Alaska Health Care Commission 2010 Draft Report


Concern about the daunting health care challenges facing Alaskans, including increasing costs, decreasing access, and a fragmented delivery system led Governor Palin to establish the original Alaska Health Care Commission in 2009. Its purpose was to provide recommendations for, and foster the development of, a statewide plan to address the quality, accessibility, and availability of health care for all citizens of the state. That commission terminated upon submission of their report of findings and recommendations in January 2010. The current Alaska Health Care Commission was established in state statute with the passage of SB 172 in 2010, and Governor Parnell signed it into law on June 23, 2010.

In December 2010, the commission issued a draft public report that presents the most recent findings and recommendations. In the report the commission identifies priority issues and strategies under consideration for study in 2011, and a comprehensive analysis of their recommendation to foster the use of evidence-based medicine in Alaska. Following are some highlights from that document.

Issues Prioritized for Study in 2011

Cost Analysis: In order to better understand current health care costs in Alaska, the commission contracted with the University of Alaska Anchorage's Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) to conduct an analysis - similar to past analyses - that will include:

●    A review of historical spending trends, health insurance and health provider costs, and distribution of public and private payers

●    a ten-year spending forecast

●    and an analysis of cost drivers.


The final report is expected in April 2011.

Health Care Price and Reimbursement Study: The commission will contract with an actuarial firm to conduct a study comparing health care provider third party and private-pay charges and reimbursement in Alaska to charges and reimbursement for the same services in Washington and Oregon, and to benchmark those charges with public coverage such as Medicare, Medicaid, Workers Compensation, TriCare, and the Veteran's Administration. The analysis is expected to include the range of billed and allowed charges for services studied, the mean, and the 50th and 80th percentiles. The analysis is also expected to identify major price drivers and reimbursement differences between Alaska and the other states.

To assist the commission in better understanding the challenges presented by the current Medicare reimbursement structure, the consultant will be asked to analyze cost variations in providing primary care to Alaska Medicare recipients compared to other regions of the study. The commission intends to award this contract in January 2011 and hopes to take delivery of the final report by July 2011.

Finally, the commission wants to learn how the "health conditions" variable in the cost equation is driving utilization of and spending for health care services. Commission members asked the Department of Health & Social Services to provide information about the health status of the Alaska population and national averages. The commission anticipates receipt of that report by May 2011.

Health Status Assessment: The commission asked the Department of Health and Social Services to provide information about the health status of the Alaska population compared to national averages. It is hoped that report will be made available to the commission by May 2011.

Strategies Under Consideration for Study in 2011

Healthy Lifestyles: Timely and relevant data on local health factors are a critical resource for health improvement planning. A public access, web-based data and information system can support local health status reporting and improvement planning. The commission determined that further study of this strategy is a priority in 2011.

Next Steps in Primary Care Innovation: Primary care is foundational to the health care delivery system, yet forecasts indicate that Alaska faces a shortage of primary care providers. Evidence indicates that new patient-centered primary care models reduce unnecessary utilization of services and empower patients to take more responsibility for their health and health care. The commission recommends aggressive state action to pursue development of such models. In 2011, the commission will identify specific strategies for advancing patient-centered primary care models in Alaska.

Increase Price and Quality Transparency: The commission recommends the development of infrastructure that supports transparency in health care pricing and quality for Alaska consumers. Empowering consumers with information about the price and quality of their health care options not only supports improved decision-making on their part, it drives the entire system to provide better care for less money. In 2011, the commission will study national trends in price and quality transparency and identify opportunities for applying transparency strategies to improve value in Alaska's health care system.

Bundled Payment Systems: Substituting the fee-for-service payment system with a payment bundling system, at least for some services, is also tapped for further study in 2011. The current system rewards health care providers for volume, not value, so financial incentives lie entirely in providing more health care services regardless of the quality of care provided, and it may actually serve as a disincentive to creating health. Payment bundling provides a global fee for a specified set of services.

Leverage State Purchasing Power: The State of Alaska is a substantial payer of health care services in Alaska. In 2011, the commission will study benefits and barriers to developing purchase strategies that leverage the state's purchasing power to drive improved health care quality and cost in Alaska.

Insurance Industry Regulation/Deregulation: Federal health care legislation demands the reform of the private insurance market and depends on state insurance regulators to implement its requirements. Only 23 percent of Alaskans have privately purchased health insurance. In 2011, the commission will study ways to improve access to, and value of, health care within the context of the Affordable Care Act. 

Measuring Health System Improvement: A system for measuring the recommendation outcomes on Alaska's health care system over a period of time is needed. In 2011, the commission will develop a set of measurable indicators to measure progress and track improvements.

Next Steps in Workforce Development: Access to quality health care depends on the availability of a well-trained and well-placed workforce. The commission will coordinate with the Alaska Health Care Workforce Coalition to identify opportunities to share and leverage resources to develop the health care workforce in 2011.

Evidence-Based Medicine

Health care expenditures consume an increasing share of spending in Alaska and in the U.S. yet there is growing evidence that a significant portion of health care spending goes to care that is ineffective, inappropriate, or unnecessary. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a "model of clinical practice intended to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of care by applying scientific evidence of effectiveness and benefit to individual medical decisions. It uses the best available, high-grade evidence to support the clinician's and patient's decision-making process."

Findings by the commission related to waste and misused medical resources, and to EBM include:

Finding A.3.a: Waste in the health care system due to misused medical resources is estimated to represent as much as 30% of health care spending. 
 

Finding A.3.b: Evidence-based medicine can increase the effectiveness of medical treatment, improve the quality of health care, and reduce health care costs.
 

Finding B.3.c: Public and private health care sectors have demonstrated an increasing interest in applying evidence-based medicine to policy and practice in response to high and rising costs and variations in quality of health care.
 

Finding A.3.d: Involvement of health care providers and consumers in decision-making is essential to the successful application of evidence-based medicine to clinical practice and public and private payer policies.


Understanding the quality and appropriate application of the evidence for both individuals and populations is a critical component of evidence-based medicine. Inaccurate and inadequate information challenges providers, who must understand how to translate evidence into practice. Methods for evaluating evidence are widely used and growing. The commission contends that the ideal health system for Alaska is one that includes support for the application of high-grade evidence by public officials in public policy decision making. The report states:

Resources available for health care are not infinite, and policy decisions regarding their use are made by health care payers in the public and private sector every day. Evidence-based medicine is a model of individual clinical practice and population policy decision-making that can serve to ensure limited resources are targeted to the most effective and efficient services. Application of evidence-based medicine to the public policy arena should not increase government control over health care decisions, but should ensure that government officials are being more responsible stewards of the public funds with which they are entrusted. The goal should always be to increase the quality of care and improve health care outcomes by ensuring information on which decisions are being made is valid and accurate.


The commission recognizes there is some controversy surrounding the term "evidence-based medicine." Common concerns are that its intent is to turn clinicians into "cookbook" practitioners, and that EBM takes away individual health care decisions. The commission contends that it does neither and that ensuring the appropriate use of evidence-based medicine can bring balance to those concerns.

Recommendations in regard to fostering the use of evidence-based medicine in Alaska include:

Recommendation A.3.a: The Commission recommends that the Governor and Alaska Legislature encourage and support State health care programs to engage in the application of high grade evidence-based medicine in making determinations about benefit design (covered services, prior authorization requirements, patient cost-sharing differentials) and provider payment methods.
 

Recommendation A.3.b: The Commission recommends that the Governor require State health care programs to coordinate development and application of evidence-based medicine policies to create a consistent approach to supporting improved quality and efficiency in Alaska's health care system.
 

Recommendation A.3.c: The Commission recommends that the Governor require State health care programs to involve health care providers and consumers in decision making related to the application of evidence-based medicine to public policy. The purpose of such involvement is to support a transparent process leading to policies that avoid restricting access to appropriate treatment and that foster informed discussions between patients and clinicians in which individualized, evidence-based choices improve the quality of health care.


About the Alaska Health Care Commission

Alaska Health Care Commission duties as prescribed by AS 18.90.070 include:

I. Serve as the state health planning and coordinating body;

II. Provide recommendations for and foster the development of a:

1. Comprehensive statewide health care policy;

2. Strategy for improving the health of Alaskans that

i. Encourages personal responsibility for disease prevention, healthy living and acquisition of health insurance;

ii. Reduces health care costs;

iii. Eliminates known health risks, including unsafe water and wastewater systems;

iv. Develops a sustainable health care workforce;

v. Improves access to quality health care; and,

vi. Increases the number of insurance options for health care services.
 

III. Submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by January 15 of each year regarding the Commission's recommendations and activities.

 

SB 172 included a transition clause that reappointed the members of the former Alaska Health Care Commission to the current body. Governor Parnell appointed additional members and the respective legislative bodies reappointed their representatives. The full roster of members includes:


Ward Hurlburt, MD, MPH: Designated Chair; Chief Medical Officer for the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services; Anchorage.

Patrick Branco: Representing the Alaska State Hospital & Nursing Home Association; Chief Executive Officer of Ketchikan General Hospital; Ketchikan.

C. Keith Campbell: Representing consumers; retired hospital administrator and former AARP Chair; Seward.

Valerie Davidson: Representing Alaska tribal health care providers; Senior Director of Legal and Inter-Governmental Affairs for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Anchorage.

Jeffrey Davis: Representing Alaska's health insurance industry; President of Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska; Anchorage.

Emily Ennis: Representing the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; Executive Director of Fairbanks Resource Agency; Fairbanks.

Col. Paul Friedrichs, MD: Representing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system; Commander of the Air Force/Veterans' Affairs Joint Venture Hospital at Elmendorf; Anchorage.

T. Noah Laufer, MD: Representing primary care physicians; family medicine physician and president of Medical Park Family Care; Anchorage.

David Morgan: Representing community health centers; Reimbursement Director for the Southcentral Foundation; Anchorage.

Wayne Stevens: Representing the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce; President & CEO of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce; Juneau.

Lawrence Stinson, MD: Representing Alaska health care providers; anesthesiologist and co-owner of Advanced Pain Centers of Alaska; Anchorage.

Linda Hall (Ex-Officio): Representing the Governor's Office; Director of the Alaska Division of Insurance; Anchorage.

Representative Wes Keller (Ex-Officio): Representing the Alaska House of Representatives; Wasilla.

Senator Donny Olson (Ex-Officio): Representing the Alaska Senate; Golovin.

The Alaska Health Care Commission group members met three times in face-to-face meetings in 2010. The first, in January, was the last meeting of the 2009 commission membership. The second two meetings, which included the new commission members, met twice, once in October and once in November. All meetings were open to the public and teleconferenced. Public comments were solicited at the October and November meetings and upon issue of the draft report.

The final 2010 report will be issued by January 15, 2011.

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Alaska Health Policy Review
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We appreciate your referral of colleagues to akhealthpolicy.org 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, at [email protected].

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Alaska Receives Performance Bonus for Improving Children's Health Care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a "performance bonus" of $4.4 million to Alaska for improving the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization (CHIPRA) processes.

A total of $206 million was awarded to 15 states, including Alaska. Last year, the bonus was $75 million awarded to 10 states last year.

"The performance bonus payments are rewards to states for enrolling low-income children and provide a financial incentive to states for doing so," said Barbara Hale, Children's Health Insurance Program Administrator for the state. "It's a win for everyone involved." 

Two sets of performance goals were met to qualify for the bonuses. The state was awarded the bonuses for taking specific steps to streamline their enrollment and renewal processes including documenting a significant increase in the number of children enrolled in Medicaid.

[Source: Article reprinted with permission by the Alaska Primary Care Association.]

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How Will the Affordable Care Act Bolster Primary Care?


Although primary care is fundamental to health system performance, the United States has undervalued and underinvested in primary care for decades. A new issue brief describes how the Affordable Care Act will begin to strengthen America's primary care system through: temporary increases in Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care providers; support for innovation in the delivery of care, with an emphasis on achieving better health outcomes and patient experiences; enhanced support of primary care providers; and investment in the primary care workforce.

In a related blog post, Melinda Abrams, director of the Commonwealth Fund's Patient-Centered Coordinated Care program, provides estimates of how the new law is likely to benefit patients, providers, and payers.

[Source: Excerpted from Commonwealth Fund Connection.]

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CON Watch

Certificate of Need (CON) is a review program administered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) that monitors the development of health care facilities and services. It was established to prevent excessive, unnecessary, or duplicative development of such structures as well as to ensure that the project meets the needs of the public. In addition to providing governmental oversight of the construction of high-cost medical facilities, the certificate of need program also allows for public scrutiny of the proposed projects.

The CON review process begins with a formal application proposing a new health facility structure or service development in Alaska. The applicant submits relevant plans, data, and architectural designs to the Alaska DHSS where the application and related documents are reviewed. After review by DHSS, an opportunity for written public comment is assigned, and if requested, a public meeting is scheduled to discuss the application in a public forum. As the project moves through the application process, the State of Alaska CON web site is updated.
 
Following is an overview of projects on the CON web site updated after April 9, 2010, and determined by DHSS to require a CON. Information is current as of January 12, 2011. Details about other projects are available on the CON web site. Follow the hyperlinks to individual CON pages. The Alaska Health Policy Review will provide periodic updates on CON activity throughout the year.

Anchorage
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Applicant: Providence Alaska-Advanced Pain Center of Alaska
Status and last update: Modifying, 12/16/2010

Catheterization Labs
Applicant: Providence Alaska Medical Center
Status and last update: Complete, 12/16/10

Emergency Power Supply System
Applicant: Providence Alaska Medical Center
Status and last update: In Progress, 11/23/2010

Electrophysiology Catheterization Laboratory    
Applicant: Providence Alaska Medical Center    
Status and last updated: Complete, 11/23/2010

Hospital Expansion and Modernization
Applicant: Providence Alaska Medical Center
Status and last update: Complete, 12/16/10

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Expansion    
Applicant: Providence Alaska Medical Center    
Status and last update: Complete, 12/16/2010

Relocation and Expansion of Sleep Disorder Center    
Applicant: Providence Alaska Medical Center    
Status and last update: Complete, 05/28/2010

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Health Policy Calendar

This calendar of health policy-related meetings is current as of January 13, 2011, at 9:00 AM. Please visit the Alaska State Legislature's committee schedule for the most current legislative information, as the schedule is subject to change.

Friday, January 14, 2010
What: Second prefile bill release
Where: Visit
the Alaska State Legislature web site.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What: Alaska State Legislative session begins
Other Information:
Visit the Alaska State Legislature web site for more information.

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Bill Watch: Prefiled Health Policy Bills

Prior to the first day of the legislative session, House and Senate members have two opportunities to submit a list of bills for the start of the legislative agenda. Often, these bills focus on issues or bills that did not pass during the previous session (i.e. a second attempt), or are additions/appeals to previous legislation action. These bills are referred to as prefiles, and once accepted, each prefile is given a bill number and is assigned to a committee following introduction during the normal legislation session. This year, the House and Senate issued their first set of prefiles on January 7, with a second set to be issued on January 14.

We report on the first set of health policy-related prefiles below. As more information about these bills becomes accessible (e.g. statements from bill sponsors and committee assignments), we will update each bill where appropriate. The information listed for each bill includes the bill number, the full title, the primary sponsor or sponsors, and the committee if available. A short summary of each bill is also included.

Bills listed here were selected based on a series of subjective criteria to determine their applicability to health policy issues. After a thorough examination of each bill, any that obviously dealt with non-health-related issues were eliminated. After determining the full set of health-related bills pre-filed for the new session, the remaining bills were divided into several general categories. This was done to facilitate finding bills that deal 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.

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Bill Watch: Drugs

HB 42 Prescription Drug Discounts
Full Title: "An Act relating to prescription drug discount pricing; placing requirements on pharmacies related to prescription drugs obtained through discount pricing; and requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to conduct a study pertaining to prescription drug discounts and report the results to the legislature."
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill directs DHSS to conduct 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. The Department of Health and Social Services shall, after conducting the study, prepare a report summarizing the study and submit the report to the legislature on or before January 1, 2012.

HB 43 Prescriptions and Generic Drugs
Full Title: "An Act requiring the use of generic drugs except in certain circumstances; and authorizing specified terms on a prescription."
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill amends state statute that directs pharmacists to substitute generic drugs for brand name drugs except under specific circumstances, and directs the Department of Health and Social Services to approve and maintain a publicly available list of therapeutically equivalent drugs.

HB 44 Prescription Drug Program
Full title: "An Act relating to the Alaska prescription drug program, including negotiated discounts or rebates for prescription drugs and a prescription drug card program to provide discounts for prescription drugs; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska that expands the state's role as a participant in the prescription drug marketplace, negotiating voluntary rebates from drug companies, and, subject to appropriation, using the rebates to make prescription drugs more affordable to the medical assistance program and to state residents.

HB 45 Drug Marketing Costs
Full title: "An Act relating to prescription drug marketing costs; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska that requires manufacturers or labelers of prescription drugs dispensed in this state, with some exceptions, to report marketing costs to DHSS, and directs the department to provide a written report every two years to the attorney general and the legislature that analyzes the information submitted to the department during the two previous fiscal years.

HB 47 Clinical Trials of Drugs/Biol. Products
Full title: "An Act establishing a statewide registry for clinical trials of drugs and biological products; and relating to approval of drug studies."
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: The DHSS commissioner is directed to establish and maintain a comprehensive repository of information regarding all clinical trials conducted in the state, with some exemptions, including information about the results of clinical trials, regardless of outcome, for access by the public, based on standards established by regulation and information available from the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and from all other credible sources.

HB 50 Access to Licensed Premises
Full title: "An Act relating to the purchase of alcoholic beverages at a club and to access by certain persons under 21 years of age to a club's licensed premises when alcoholic beverages are present."
Sponsor: Rep. Saddler
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute in regard to access by persons under 21 years of age to a club's licensed premises when alcoholic beverages are present.

SB 17 Synthetic Cannabinoids as Schedule IIA
Full title: "An Act classifying certain synthetic cannabinoids as schedule IIA controlled substances; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Sen. Meyer
Description: Section 1. AS 11.71.150(b) is amended to include certain synthetic cannabinoids as schedule IIA controlled substances.

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Bill Watch: Health Professional Workforce and Health Education

HB 28 Temp Licenses for Professionals
Full title: "An Act relating to temporary licenses for certain nonresident professionals."
Sponsors: Reps. Thomas and Herron
Description: Except as provided, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, with respect to an occupation that it regulates under this title, shall by regulation establish criteria for issuing a temporary courtesy license to a nonresident, so that, on a temporary basis, the nonresident person may lawfully practice the person's occupation.

HB 38 University Institutes of Law and Medicine
Full title: "An Act authorizing the establishment of institutes of medicine and law at the University of Alaska."
Sponsor: Rep. Kawasaki
Description: Alaska statute is amended to allow the University of Alaska to establish institutes of medicine and law.

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Bill Watch: Medical Assistance and Health Insurance

HB 1 Policy for Securing Health Care Services
Full Title: "An Act stating a public policy that allows a person to choose or decline any mode of securing health care services."
Sponsor: Rep. Gatto
Description: Alaska statute is amended to add a new section that it is the policy of the State of Alaska that a person has the right to choose or decline any mode of obtaining health care services without penalty or threat of penalty.

HB 11 Colonoscopy: Pub. Employee Retirees
Full title: "An Act requiring that retiree health insurance coverage offered by the state and by certain local governments include coverage for colorectal screening, including colonoscopies."
Sponsor: Rep. Gara
Description: Alaska statute is amended to include colonoscopy coverage for retired public employees and other who receive benefits under AS 14.25.110, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former 8 AS 39.37.

HB 29 Public Retiree Medical Benefits Coverage
Full title: "An Act establishing as a standard for the procurement of group life and health insurance for retirement systems for certain public employees a requirement that preventive health services medical benefits provided to the systems' retiree members may not be less than preventive health services medical benefits provided to the systems' active members."
Sponsor: Rep. Millet
Description: Alaska statute is amended by adding a new paragraph that reads, "Preventive health services benefits provided to a person receiving retiree medical benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, or AS 39.35 may not be less than the preventive health services medical benefits provided to the active members of the respective system."

HJR 5 Const. Am: Health Care
Full title: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting passage of laws that interfere with direct payments for health care services and the right to purchase health care insurance from a privately owned company, and that compel a person to participate in a health care system. 
Sponsor: Rep. Keller
Description: This resolution proposes amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting passage of laws that interfere with direct payments for health care services and the right to purchase health care insurance from a privately owned company, and that compel a person to participate in a health care system.

SB 5 Medical Assistance Eligibility
Full title: "An Act relating to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for certain children and pregnant women; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsors: Sens. Davis, Ellis, French, and Wielechowski
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to include specific optional groups of persons for whom the state may claim federal financial participation for medical assistance, and the state may require premiums or cost-sharing contributions from recipients eligible for benefits and whose household income is between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

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Bill Watch: State Boards and Issues

HB 21 Suicide Prevention Council Members
Full title: "An Act relating to the membership of the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council."
Sponsors: Reps. Fairclough, Gardner, and Herron
Description: This bill amends the composition of the membership of the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council.

HB 46 Alaska Prescription Drug Task Force
Full title: "An Act establishing the Alaska Prescription Drug Task Force; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Rep. Guttenberg
Description: This bill adds a new section to the uncodified law of the State of Alaska that establishes the Alaska Prescription Drug Task Force in DHSS.

SB 12 Extend Board of Nursing
Full title: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Nursing; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Sen. Davis
Description: The bill amends Alaska statute to extend the Board of Nursing until June 30, 2019.

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Bill Watch: Family Health Issues

HB 15 Student Athlete Traumatic Brain Injuries
Full title: "An Act relating to prevention and evaluation of and liability for traumatic brain injuries in student athletes."
Sponsor: Rep. Doogan
Description: Uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended to add a new section that directs the governing body of a school district to consult with the Alaska School Activities Association to develop and publish guidelines and other information to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes regarding the nature and risks of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

SB 3 Funding for School Meals
Full title: "An Act providing for funding for school lunch and breakfast."
Sponsors: Sens. Wielechowski, Ellis, Davis, Egan, French, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Paskvan, and Thomas
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to add a new section that directs state funding to supplement the cost of lunch and breakfast provided to each student who is eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under 42 U.S.C. 1771 - 1784.

SB 22 Student Athlete Traumatic Brain Injuries
Full title: "An Act relating to prevention and evaluation of and liability for traumatic brain injuries in student athletes."
Sponsor: Sen. McGuire
Description: Uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended to add a new section that directs the governing body of a school district to consult with the Alaska School Activities Association to develop and publish guidelines and other information to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes regarding the nature and risks of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

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Bill Watch: Worker's Compensation

HB 12 Workers' Compensations Advisory Council
Full title: "An Act establishing the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, and abolishing the Medical Services Review Committee; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Rep. Olson
Description: This bill establishes a Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, describes the membership, and other particulars.

HB 13 Workers' Compensation: Medical Fees
Full title: "An Act relating to fees and charges for medical treatment or services as they relate to workers' compensation; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Rep. Olson
Description: Alaska statute is amended to adjust guidelines relating to fees and other charges for medical treatment or services connected with worker's compensation.

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Bill Watch: Public Safety

HB 22 No Cell Phone Use When Driving
Full title: "An Act prohibiting the use of a cellular telephone when driving a motor vehicle; and providing for an effective date."
Sponsor: Rep. Munoz
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to prohibit cellular phone use while driving, with exceptions for hands-free configuration and emergencies to take effect July 1, 2011.

HB 57 Bicycle Program
Full title: "An Act authorizing municipalities and nonprofit organizations to sponsor a program to encourage the safe use of bicycles as a mode of transportation, and amending the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to include administration of state funds appropriated for that purpose."
Sponsor: Rep. Seaton
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to authorize municipalities and nonprofit groups in Alaska to apply for grant money for programs that promote safe ridership and directs the Department of Transportation to establish grant programs.

HB 68 Ban Cell Phone Use When Driving
Full title: "An Act relating to prohibiting the use of cellular telephones when driving a motor vehicle."
Sponsor: Rep. Gruenberg
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to prohibit cellular phone use while driving, with exceptions for hands-free configuration and emergencies to take effect July 1, 2011. It adds that a peace officer may not stop or detain a motor vehicle to determine compliance with (a) of this section, or issue a citation for a violation of (a) of this section, unless the peace officer has probable cause to stop or detain the motor vehicle other than for a violation of this section.

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Bill Watch: General Health Policy

HB 61 Advance Health Care Directives Registry
Full title: "An Act relating to a registry for advance health care directives."
Sponsor: Rep. Holmes
Description: This bill amends a previous statute by adding that a health care facility will not be subject to civil or criminal liability in the event that they act in reliance to an advance health care directive or fail to check an advance health care directive registry for a patient in their facility. In addition, HB 71 proposes the establishment of an advance health care directive registry within the Department of Health and Social Services, where individuals or their guardians can file advance health directives. This registry would be confidential and may not be used for another purpose.

SB 14 Object to Providing Health Care Services
Full title: "An Act providing for the protection and reasonable accommodation of a health care provider's expression of conscience pertaining to a health care service; and providing for immunity, an exception, and prohibition of discrimination for an expression of conscience by a health care provider."
Sponsors: Sens. Dyson and Coghill
Description: This bill amends Alaska statute to include accommodation and protection for health care providers' expressions of conscience pertaining to the delivery of a health care service.

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Bill Watch: Bill Tracking Methodology

Bills listed here were selected based on a series of subjective criteria to determine whether they were "health-policy related." All bills currently sitting in the Senate and House Health 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 full title, primary sponsor or sponsors, and a short summary of each bill.
 
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AHPR Staff and Contributors

Lawrence D. Weiss,
PhD, MS, Editor
Kelby Murphy, Senior Policy Analyst
Jacqueline Yeagle, Newsletter design and editing

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Subscribe Now to the Alaska Health Policy Review

The Alaska Health Policy Review is issued electronically, weekly during the regular legislative session and monthly the rest of the year.
 
A standard 12-month subscription to the Alaska Health Policy Review is available for $850. Please inquire about discount rates for multiple recipients in the same organization, legislators, and small nonprofit organizations.
 
Don't miss an issue! Send orders, comments, and inquiries to Lawrence D. Weiss at [email protected], or call (907) 276-2277.

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