1997-01-31                     House Journal                      Page 0197
HB 99                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 99 by the House Rules Committee by request of                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
An Act establishing the Healthy Families Alaska program;                      
relating to Medicaid coverage for targeted case management                     
services for pregnant women and for eligible children under the                
age of five; and providing for an effective date.                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Health,             
Education & Social Services and Finance Committees.                            
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Zero fiscal notes (2), Dept. of Health & Social Services, 1/31/97              
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated January 30, 1997, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
Its easy to say lets just get tough when faced with the dilemma of             
how to put an end to our growing problem with juvenile crime.  But             

1997-01-31                     House Journal                      Page 0198
HB 99                                                                        
getting tough is just one part of a much bigger formula.  We must              
promote and fund prevention services for kids who are at risk of               
becoming juvenile offenders so that we never allow the cycle of a life         
of violence and crime to begin.                                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
This bill is part of my package of legislation based on                        
recommendations of the Governors Conference on Youth and Justice.              
It establishes the Healthy Families Alaska program to provide                  
education and support services to pregnant women and the families of           
newborn infants.                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Healthy Families program offers home visits to eligible families           
on a voluntary basis.  The visits are designed to meet the needs of            
parents for information, emotional support, stress management, and             
assistance with other negative factors that undermine parents health           
habits and the care of their children.  In addition to preventing child        
abuse and neglect, the service providers work with families to ensure          
their children receive medical care, such as immunizations, and that           
mothers receive prenatal care.                                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
These home visits teach parents to develop realistic expectations about        
child development and positive discipline techniques.  They also               
educate parents about other available services, such as job training           
programs, drug and alcohol abuse programs, and day care assistance.            
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Healthy Families Alaska program is administered by the                     
Department of Health and Social Services with services provided by             
community-based private, nonprofit corporations, municipal                     
governments, and regional Native health corporations.                          
I also anticipate this program will be eligible for future Medicaid            
coverage; the bill is written to accommodate that possibility.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
It is crucial this program be fully funded if it is to achieve its goals.      
I have included in my proposed operating budget $614,000 for the               
Healthy Families program.                                                      

1997-01-31                     House Journal                      Page 0199
HB 99                                                                        
Because research shows that abused children are more likely to become          
violent or be victims of violence as adults, prenatal and infancy home         
visitation programs may be an effective long-term strategy for                 
preventing youth violence.  Programs similar to this proposal have             
proven effective in other states in preventing poor childhood outcomes,        
including abuse and neglect.  I urge you to allow Alaska to join those         
states in establishing an effective Healthy Families program.                  
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor