00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 284                                                                          
01 "An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to accept federal                                        
02 prescription drug benefits or to provide comparable benefits for residents of the Alaska                                
03 Pioneers' Home."                                                                                                        
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. AS 47.55.010(c) is amended to read:                                                                   
06            (c)  The department shall                                                                                    
07                 (1)  cooperate with the federal government in matters pertaining to the                                 
08       welfare of Alaska pioneers and of veterans who reside in the homes operated under                                 
09       this chapter, make the reports in the form and containing the information the federal                             
10       government from time to time desires, and accept money and prescription drug                                  
11       benefits allotted by the federal government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities in                        
12       establishing, extending, and strengthening services for pioneers and veterans who                                 
13       reside in a home operated under this chapter;                                                                     
14                 (2)  adopt regulations necessary to conduct business and to carry out                                   

01       the provisions of this chapter, require bonds and undertakings from persons employed                              
02       by a home as in its judgment are necessary, and pay the premiums on them, and                                     
03       establish regional and local offices and the advisory groups that are necessary or                                
04       considered expedient to carry out or assist in carrying out a duty or authority assigned                          
05       to it;                                                                                                            
06                 (3)  perform all executive or administrative duties necessary and                                       
07       advisable to carry out the purpose of this chapter, including the power to make                                   
08       contracts and to make disbursements on vouchers against appropriations for the                                    
09       purpose of this chapter, within the limit of appropriations available;                                            
10                 (4)  study the needs of pioneers and veterans of this state who reside in                               
11       the homes operated under this chapter and submit recommendations for new                                          
12       regulations and proposed legislation.                                                                             
13    * Sec. 2. AS 47.55.020 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:                                              
14            (f)  Instead of accepting federal prescription drug benefits under                                           
15       AS 47.55.010(c)(1), the department may adopt regulations to provide comparable                                    
16       prescription drug benefits to pioneers and veterans who reside in the Alaska Pioneers'                            
17       Home operated under this chapter and who are eligible for federal prescription drug                               
18       benefits.