2015-03-18                     Senate Journal                      Page 0517
The bill would make technical amendments to AS 47.07.020 related to                                                             
Medicaid eligibility and would authorize Medicaid expansion as                                                                  
permitted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The bill also would provide express authority for the Department of                                                             
Health and Social Services to engage in various Medicaid cost                                                                   
containment and reform measures, including expanding the use of                                                                 
waivers, using demonstration projects to engage in innovative                                                                   
practices, and expanding telemedicine capability and reimbursement to                                                           
incentivize innovative service delivery models.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Finally, the bill would amend a number of existing statutes that are                                                            
designed to assist the Department of Health and Social Services in its                                                          
oversight of Medicaid providers.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Medicaid expansion and Medicaid reform are in the best interest of the                                                          
state, and I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 79                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 79 BY SENATOR DUNLEAVY, entitled:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire under                                                                
    the defined benefit plan of the teachers' retirement system."                                                               
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Education and Community                                                             
and Regional Affairs Committees.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SB 80                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 80 BY SENATOR DUNLEAVY, entitled:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education                                                               
    and Early Development; relating to educational standards and                                                                
    assessments; relating to an educational standards and                                                                       
    assessments review committee; and providing for an effective                                                                
    date."                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance                                                               
Committees.