02/27/2018 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB313 | |
| HB296 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 313 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 296 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 27, 2018
3:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Vice Chair
Representative Sam Kito
Representative Geran Tarr
Representative David Eastman
Representative Jennifer Johnston
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Matt Claman (alternate)
Representative Dan Saddler (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 313
"An Act relating to payments to providers and covered persons
and recovery of payments by health care insurers."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 296
"An Act creating the Alaska marijuana use prevention youth
services grant program; creating the Alaska marijuana use
prevention, education, and treatment fund; relating to the
duties of the Alaska Children's Trust Board; creating the
marijuana use education and treatment program; and relating to
the duties of the Department of Health and Social Services."
- MOVED HB 296 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268
"An Act relating to the prescription of opioids; relating to the
Department of Health and Social Services; relating to the
practice of dentistry; relating to the practice of medicine;
relating to the practice of podiatry; relating to the practice
of osteopathy; relating to the practice of nursing; and relating
to the practice of optometry."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 313
SHORT TITLE: RECOVERY OF PAYMENT BY INSURANCE PROVIDER
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GRENN
01/26/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/26/18 (H) HSS, L&C
02/06/18 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/06/18 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/08/18 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/08/18 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
02/27/18 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 296
SHORT TITLE: YOUTH MARIJUANA PREVENTION PROGRAMS/FUND
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CLAMAN
01/19/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/18 (H) HSS, FIN
02/08/18 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/08/18 (H) Heard & Held
02/08/18 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
02/27/18 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE JASON GRENN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 313 as the sponsor of the
bill.
SHEA SIEGERT, Staff
Representative Jason Grenn
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HB 313 on behalf of
the bill sponsor, Representative Grenn.
DEBORAH RIESER, Owner
Spectrum Medical Billing Services
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 313.
REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 296 as the sponsor of the
bill.
SARA PERMAN, Staff
Representative Matt Claman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HB 296 on behalf of
the bill sponsor, Representative Claman.
ALANA HUMPHREY, CEO
Boys and Girls Club of Southcentral Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 296.
TERRANCE ROBBINS
Southeast Prevention Services
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 296.
THOMAS AZZARELLA, Director
Alaska Afterschool Network
Alaska Children's Trust
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 296.
ELIZA MUSE, Public Health Specialist
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during discussion of HB
296.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:04:10 PM
CHAIR IVY SPOHNHOLZ called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
Representatives Spohnholz, Tarr, Sullivan-Leonard, Johnston,
Eastman, and Edgmon were present at the call to order.
Representative Kito arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 313-RECOVERY OF PAYMENT BY INSURANCE PROVIDER
3:04:46 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 313, "An Act relating to payments to providers
and covered persons and recovery of payments by health care
insurers."
3:05:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JASON GRENN, Alaska State Legislature,
paraphrased from the Sponsor Statement, which read:
32 states have implemented a statute of limitations
for the ability of insurance companies to
retroactively recoup indemnities from health care
providers. A common practice of many health insurance
companies is to perform an audit to make sure the
claims paid to them were accurate, a practice that any
business trying to become more efficient would
perform. Currently in Alaska there is no maximum
number of years that limits insurance companies to
retroactively recouping indemnities due to our lack of
a statute like the one presented in HB 313.
HB 313 simply implements a statute of limitations of
18 months on health insurance companies to recoup
mistakenly paid amounts from health care providers in
Alaska. HB 313 provides exceptions to this limitation
in instances of: a fraudulently submitted claim, a
duplicate claim, in the instances of misrepresented or
wrongly identified services by the health care
provider, a claim that is subject to adjustment by
another health care insurer, or any payment or claim
that is the subject of legal action. These exceptions
are the only instances under which the statute of
limitation is flexible for or voided.
HB 313 is not only a bill that focusses on the
efficiency of Health Insurers, but most importantly is
legislation that ensures that a financial burden may
not be passed onto the customer unexpectedly at any
time after their visit to the doctor. With the lack of
a statute of limitation in this area there exists an
inherent liability that can be passed on to any
Alaskan at essentially any time.
House Bill 313, serves as a simple fix for a large
risk that resides in the current statutes surrounding
our health billing structure. HB 313, takes care of
patients, doctors, and all health care providers. I
humbly ask for your support in this piece of
legislation that has proven to be a simple fix to our
outdated precedence.
3:07:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 313, labeled 30-LS0852\J, Wallace,
2/14/18, as the working draft.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ objected for discussion.
3:08:11 PM
SHEA SIEGERT, Staff, Representative Jason Grenn, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that the proposed committee substitute
(CS), Version J, added Section 3 to the proposed bill which
would amend AS 39.90 to be subject to the provisions in AS
21.54.020(d) and AS 21.54.050(d). He reported that this change
would only affect a small number of plans in the State of
Alaska, in this instance. In response to Chair Spohnholz, he
explained that AS 39 dealt with the state employee insurance
plans, provided through Alaska Care, and the insurance companies
which had contracted with the state for state employee benefit;
whereas, AS 21 dealt with all the other plans for an insurance
company doing business in Alaska.
3:09:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked about the anticipated timeline for
a claim before it became the subject of the legal action
mentioned in the proposed bill.
MR. SIEGERT deferred to the Department of Administration. He
reported that the administrative code, 3AAC 26.10, stated that
"health care insurers shall give a written notice to a health
care provider, a health care facility, or a consumer at least 30
calendar days before insurer seeks recovery for overpayment.
The notice must include adequate information. ... The health
care insurer may not initiate recovery of an overpayment more
than 365 days after the date of the original payment was made to
a health care provider, a health care facility." He stated that
the intent of the proposed bill was to make this change through
administrative code, and it would only affect AS 21. He replied
to Representative Eastman that he would have to "check with our
legal team on that."
3:11:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN directed attention to the proposed
committee substitute, Version J, and asked if this referenced a
health care insurer seeking recovery from a provider.
3:11:55 PM
MR. SIEGERT replied, "yes."
3:11:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN mused that, should the provider not want
to pay, there was an incentive to wait out the health care
insurer for 18 months, and then use the statute as a defense.
He asked if there was any way to prevent this situation.
MR. SIEGERT explained that the intent of the proposed bill was
"to give notice of the initial search of the recovery of funds
before that 18 months, and so after they give the initial
request for more funds, we would expect that they would do so in
a timely process." He offered his belief "that would have to do
with regulations put forth by the regulating body."
3:13:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked about the ramifications if
this was not completed within the 18 months.
MR. SIEGERT replied that there would not be the option to seek
recovery of those funds.
3:13:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked if there were any
exceptions.
MR. SIEGERT reported that there were five exceptions: for
fraudulent claims, for payments of duplicate claims, for health
care services identified in a claim that were not actually
delivered by the health care provider, for payments or claims
subject to adjustment by another health care insurer, and for a
payment or claim that was subject of legal action.
3:14:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked for the reason to 18
months, instead of 24 or 36 months.
MR. SIEGERT replied that the sponsor had contacted multiple
people and reviewed other states. He shared that currently
three states had a six-month provision, twelve states had a
twelve-month provision, and seven states had an eighteen-month
provision. He opined that this was the most fair and adequate
timeline after all payments and transactions had been made and
the insurance company was conducting an audit of the business
transactions.
3:15:52 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ mused that this appeared to be the outside limit
of regulation allowed.
MR. SIEGERT added that eight states allowed twenty-four months,
Connecticut allowed sixty months, and Florida allowed thirty
months.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ commented that this was "the sweet spot in the
middle."
3:16:32 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Version J was adopted as the working document.
3:16:58 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
3:17:21 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ brought the committee back to order and opened
public testimony on HB 313.
3:17:44 PM
DEBORAH RIESER, Owner, Spectrum Medical Billing Services,
explained that she offered medical billing services to about 100
providers, the bulk of which were small practices. She
paraphrased from a letter she had submitted to the committee,
dated January 31, 2018, [Included in members' packets] which
read:
I'm writing in response to House Bill 313, to change
the Statute AS 21.54.020(d) from an unlimited amount
of time a medical insurance company (Payer) can
request a refund from HealthCare providers.
Currently, Alaska is 1 of 3 states that have an
unlimited timeframe a Payer can request a refund from
a provider. I've had a handful of experiences the last
few years that prompted me to look at Alaska Statutes.
Currently, most payers require the Providers to submit
claims within a certain period. Most are 1 year from
the date of service, and some are 6 months, or 90 days
from the date of service. In turn, the Payers can
request a refund from anytime in the future if they
did not process the claims correctly. Here are a
couple examples that happened to Providers I provider
services to:
2016 EBMS request a refund for 5 dates of service in
2013 as they continued to pay after the patients plan
terminated. The provider had to repay approx.
$1,200.00. Thankfully the patient had a secondary
insurance that we could appeal for a payment.
2016 Cigna requesting a refund for 2014 claims they
paid in error as the patient was not eligible.
2017 Cigna requesting a refund for 2015 claims paid
in error.
2018 - EBMS requesting a refund for 2015 claims that
were paid after the patient was no longer eligible.
2018 Cigna requesting a refund for claims paid in
2016.
All of the above examples are not from fraudulent
claims but the Payer should have some processed the
claims correctly the first time. Now the financial
burden is on the Provider to refund the Payer. In turn
the patient, if still in Alaska, will be responsible
for these charges.
I am for limiting the timeframe a Payer can request a
refund. The Providers only have a sometimes small
timeframe they can submit charges to a Payer. The
Payer should be expected to process the charges
against the policies of the patient within a timeframe
as well.
3:20:46 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ reiterated that although there was a limited
amount of time to file a claim, there was not a limited amount
of time to collect on an over payment of a claim, which appeared
to be a one-sided relationship.
MS. REISER expressed her agreement.
3:21:11 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that HB 313 would be held over.
HB 296-YOUTH MARIJUANA PREVENTION PROGRAMS/FUND
3:21:27 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 296, "An Act creating the Alaska marijuana use
prevention youth services grant program; creating the Alaska
marijuana use prevention, education, and treatment fund;
relating to the duties of the Alaska Children's Trust Board;
creating the marijuana use education and treatment program; and
relating to the duties of the Department of Health and Social
Services."
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ relayed that she was Chair of the Board of the
Alaska Children's Trust which was detailed in the proposed bill,
and she passed the gavel to Representative Tarr.
3:22:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN, Alaska State Legislature,
paraphrased from the Sponsor Statement [Included in members'
packets], which read:
In 2014, Alaskans legalized the use and possession of
marijuana in the state. Ballot measure 2 gave the
state the ability to tax and regulate the production,
sale, and use of marijuana. In 2015 the Alaska
Legislature decided to implement a $50/ounce tax on
marijuana sales. Since the measure went into effect in
early 2015 the state has collected more than $6
million dollars in tax revenue.
HB 296 creates the Alaska marijuana use prevention,
education, and treatment fund. Under current statute,
fifty percent of the tax revenue generated from
marijuana sales is designated to go to the recidivism
reduction fund established within the general fund.
The remaining fifty percent goes directly into the
general fund. Under HB 296, the remaining fifty
percent would be allocated into the new fund.
Under HB 296, fifty percent of the new fund may be
allocated to the Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS) for a comprehensive marijuana use
education and treatment program, and the remainder of
the funds will go to the newly established Alaska
marijuana use prevention youth services grant program
which is administered by the Alaska Children's Trust
Board.
The program implemented by DHSS will focus on
statewide misuse prevention and education on the
effects of marijuana and the Alaska marijuana laws. It
also funds substance abuse screening and treatment as
well as monitoring public perception. Separately, the
Alaska Children's Trust Board will administer the
Alaska marijuana use prevention youth services grant
program, giving grants to non-profit out-of-school
programs that provide youth marijuana use prevention
and reduction curriculums.
It is the intent that the Legislature treat marijuana
much like alcohol and tobacco and invest in
prevention, education, and treatment services in
youths and adults to reduce long-term associated
costs. House Bill 296 creates statewide programs as
well as the funding structure to do so.
3:23:06 PM
SARA PERMAN, Staff, Representative Matt Claman, Alaska State
Legislature, paraphrased from the Sectional Summary [Included in
members' packets], which read:
Section 1
Adds new sections to AS 17.38:
Creates the Alaska marijuana use prevention youth
services grant program and designates that it is
administered by the Alaska Children's Trust (ACT)
Board. The program provides funds and training to
statewide and community based programs that focus on
reducing the number of youth trying marijuana for the
first time, and the number of youth consistently using
marijuana as well as reducing youth access to
marijuana and exposure to impaired driving. The
programs selected by the Board must be either 501c(3)
or federally recognized tribes, a municipal or state
government, or a school. The ACT Board is charged with
adopting regulations to carry out the grant program
including application requirements and reporting
criteria.
17.38.410
Creates the Alaska marijuana use prevention,
education, and treatment fund. The fund is part of the
general account and may be added to by appropriation
or donation. The legislature appropriates the 50% of
the marijuana sales tax revenue that is not used for
recidivism reduction fund toward the fund. Twenty-five
percent (25%) of the fund goes toward the Alaska
marijuana use prevention, education, and treatment
program administered by the ACT Board and the
remaining twenty-five percent (25%) goes toward the
marijuana use education and treatment program
administered by the Department of Health and Social
Services.
Section 2
Amends AS 37.14.230(a)
Updates the responsibilities of the Alaska Children's
Trust Board the administration of the Alaska marijuana
use prevention, education, and treatment program.
Section 3
Amends AS 43.61.010(c):
Designates that the 50 percent of the marijuana sales
tax revenue that is not being used for the recidivism
reduction fund may be appropriated to the Alaska
marijuana use prevention, education, and treatment
fund.
Section 4
Amends 43.61.010(d):
Updates language to distinguish recidivism reduction
fund in place of 'fund'.
Sec 45.25.115: "Good cause: burden of proof". Adds
detailed description of "good cause" and notice
requirements for termination of franchise. Adds
requirements that the manufacturer provide dealer with
reasonable performance goals.
Section 5
Amends AS 44.29.020(a):
Updates the responsibilities of the Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS)to include the
administration of a comprehensive marijuana use
education and treatment program which must include a
misuse prevention component, a public education
campaign, surveys of Alaskan populations about
attitudes and perceptions towards marijuana use,
monitoring of public health status related to
marijuana usages, and a substance abuse screening,
intervention and treatment component. To the extent
possible, the Department should administer the program
by grant or contract.
3:24:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked about the intent of the
initial tax on marijuana. She offered her understanding that
the tax would be distributed into the general fund and into
treatment; whereas, this would now be divided into another 25
percent. She asked for a review regarding the intent for the
initial tax.
3:25:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN explained that the original legislation
passed by the legislature had created a recidivism reduction
fund for 50 percent of the tax even though that was not part of
the ballot initiative. He stated that the remainder of the tax
was "open-ended in that legislation."
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD expressed her concern for the
intent of the ballot measure, as well as the tax, as to how
those funds would be dispersed. She offered her belief that
this would lead to "everybody wanting a little piece of that
pie."
3:26:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO offered his belief that the revenue from the
marijuana initiative would be used to balance some of the fiscal
issues in the state.
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN replied that the use of the funds for
prevention was a way to actually save the state money.
3:27:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked if consideration had been given to
a stepped-up approach, as the Alaska Children's Trust would be a
grant-based program and it was not yet known for the number or
types of grants.
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN replied that, as this proposed bill was
not viewed as an appropriations bill, that appropriation
decision would be left to the discretion of the legislature.
3:28:36 PM
MS. PERMAN pointed out that the funding was subject to
appropriation from the legislature, and she offered her belief
that the appropriation could be "up to 50 percent."
3:29:17 PM
ALANA HUMPHREY, CEO, Boys and Girls Club of Southcentral Alaska,
reported that the Boys and Girls clubs in Alaska collectively
served more than 20,000 youth through club membership and
community outreach at 45 club sites in 26 Alaska communities
during the out of school hours. She stated that the clubs
recognized the importance of resources to provide primary and
secondary prevention programs in the hours between 3 p.m. and 6
p.m. and during the day in the summer, which was the most
dangerous time for youths and teens. It was during these
unsupervised times that kids were far more likely to engage in
risky behaviors, including marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol use.
She stated that it was well documented for these time-tested
quality standards based on the principles of youth development
and child safety. She added that they ensured that the programs
and activities were sensitive to the needs of the youth and
community. She reported that the staff worked closely with
community leaders to "carve a culturally relevant path for
success to the youth" and that a great deal of care was given to
address the specific needs of each community of kids. She
reported that, even with surveys showing a decline in tobacco,
alcohol, and other drug use, there were still far too many young
people with a decreased perception of the risk related to use of
these. She offered her belief that keeping kids safe from
drugs, alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use was a shared community
goal, and that there was still much to be done to ensure this
safety and success. She reported that an increase to resources,
such as those indicated in the proposed bill, could increase the
service hours, programming, and mentorships in afterschool
programs. She declared support for proposed HB 296.
3:32:17 PM
TERRANCE ROBBINS, Southeast Prevention Services, shared that he
was a former program director for a drug-free communities
program grant. He said these program funds cannot be used to
support after school programming, and even the local taxes did
not provide enough funding for marijuana prevention. He
reported that the use of marijuana by local youth was twice that
of cigarettes in Ketchikan. He pointed out that the marijuana
control board enforcement team was limited and was not capable
of a good compliance check program at retail stores. He shared
that treatment options and beds for substance use disorders in
Alaska were limited and very expensive. He opined that a great
use of the marijuana tax dollars would be for prevention
efforts, instead of treatment later.
3:34:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ commented that there was a very serious
opioid problem in the state with a lot of young people starting
to use opioids. She declared that the reduction of even a few
overdoses from opioids was positive. She pointed out that this
program helped to fill in the hole for drug free community
grants which did not allow afterschool funding. She
acknowledged that this afterschool time was a very risky time.
3:36:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR opened public testimony on HB 296.
3:37:16 PM
THOMAS AZZARELLA, Director, Alaska Afterschool Network, Alaska
Children's Trust, reported that for every application using
federal funding, there were two applications going unfunded. He
stated that there were an increased number of communities
actively pursuing afterschool as a strategy to reduce risk
behaviors and to create a comprehensive approach for addressing
opioid and substance use. He emphasized that there was a need
for the funding, as there was an increased number of communities
turning toward the afterschool programs.
3:38:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked for more information about
the Matanuska-Susitna area.
MR. AZZARELLA explained that the Matanuska-Susitna Health
Foundation, as well as the United Way and the school district,
had been organizing for a comprehensive way to approach
substance use and had noted that afterschool was a critical
piece. He reported that the Matanuska-Susitna Health Foundation
was working to model the Youth in Iceland program which had
helped that country have the lowest youth substance rates in
Europe, a result of youth engagement during out of school time
with afterschool sports and programming.
3:40:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN reflected on passage of the marijuana
initiative, with the idea "that marijuana ought to be treated
more like alcohol in terms of regulation." He asked how the
alcohol taxes were currently treated and what was the difference
with those taxes recommended in the proposed bill.
3:42:00 PM
ELIZA MUSE, Public Health Specialist, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health and Social Services, explained that the
proposed fund was modeled similar to the alcohol and drug funds,
which were funded through the alcohol tax, and offered services
through the Division of Behavioral Health.
3:42:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN noted that this proposed bill recommended
that 100 percent of the marijuana taxes be allocated, with none
going to the general fund. He asked if this was the case with
alcohol taxes.
MS. MUSE said that she did not know but would research it.
3:43:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO, expressing his concern that there was no
longer an active afterschool program in Juneau, asked how the
money would be distributed for prevention programs into the
smaller rural communities.
3:43:51 PM
MR. AZZARELLA directed attention to an on-line map which
highlighted afterschool programs. He said that they were able
to be flexible and give grants based on community needs. He
acknowledged that current grant funding moved toward the larger
urban centers. He expressed hope that the Alaska Children's
Trust, as facilitator of the grant fund, could ensure a greater
rural equity and support community-based solutions to address
the greater needs.
3:45:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO asked for clarification that there were not
current plans for rural programs, although there was hope in the
future.
MR. AZZARELLA replied that there were currently afterschool
programs in lots of rural communities, and that they would be
looking to expand services already provided. He stated that a
lack of funding in rural communities had often prevented the
services. He stated that a hope for the new fund would be for
"areas of highest need."
REPRESENTATIVE KITO reflected that the map indicated "quite a
deficit of programs in the interior of the state, except for
Fairbanks." He acknowledged that there were programs in Juneau,
but no other programs in northern Southeast Alaska. He
suggested that there should be a concerted effort that this
money be used in communities that did not have afterschool
programs. He expressed his concern that there was not a
strategy or a goal to expand that outreach, other "than a hope
and a prayer."
MR. AZZARELLA stated that there were programs in Southeast
Alaska communities, noting that the aforementioned map was the
first inventory. He reported that the map allowed for better
understanding of the program locations. He offered a definition
for program: to be meeting three or more times each week for at
least one and one-half hour each session. He said the duration
and frequency of the programs was critical. He reported that,
as oftentimes the program was a teacher staying after school and
having an open classroom, there was a desire to enhance and
expand the activities to keep kids engaged.
3:49:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR, explaining the tax revenue for alcohol,
reported that the Department of Revenue's tax division deposited
all alcohol beverage tax revenue into the general fund, and the
Department of Administration separately accounted for 50 percent
of the tax collected and deposited into the alcohol and drug
abuse treatment and prevention fund. She shared that the fund
had been created in 2002 for alcohol and drug abuse treatment
programs.
3:50:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR closed public testimony on HB 296.
3:51:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HB 296, Version 30-
LS0537\I, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal notes.
3:51:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN objected. He reminded the committee
about the early discussions during the initiative campaign to
tax and regulate marijuana. He offered his belief that many
people supported this initiative with the understanding that
some of these taxes from regulation would go to the general
fund. He opined that this current argument to instead send
these funds to prevention of marijuana use and treatment could
have resulted in a different election outcome. He stated that
he did not support this proposal as it was currently stated.
3:52:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD also objected and said that we
were not yet ready for this. She stated that the use of the
alcohol tax as funding for treatment had been overextended. She
said that this was setting a precedent for any other imposed tax
that the funds would go toward treatment or afterschool
programs. She reported that there were grants for afterschool
programs that could come from the private sector or from the
health care facilities, instead of using this tax to "trickle
down into those programs." She suggested that there could be an
expectation for unlimited funding on the receiving end.
3:54:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON stated that she was "mixed on this
bill." She stated that she would support any funding for after
school activities, as it was important to keep kids busy. She
supported that it was an "appropriation up to" and that she
would support moving the bill forward.
3:54:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO expressed his concern for the lack of
programs in rural communities but stated his support for moving
the bill out of committee.
3:55:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON spoke in support of the proposed bill. He
shared that his memory of the debates during the marijuana
initiative differed significantly from those of "the two members
from the Mat-Su Valley." He stated that he remembered that a
lot of the money was going toward education and "keeping kids
away from marijuana." He declared that he "couldn't think of a
more nobler purpose than this money going to this fund." He
reiterated that his viewpoint was "highly in contrast with what
I just heard a bit ago." He stated his support of the proposed
bill.
3:55:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR declared that she was "more on the
activities side of things," than just on the education. She
expressed her hope that the available dollars would keep kids
busy "from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then they could eat and go to
bed, and then they won't have any time to get in trouble." She
stated her support for moving the bill out of committee.
3:56:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN maintained his objection.
3:56:36 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Tarr, Kito, Edgmon,
and Johnston voted in favor of HB 296. Representatives Eastman
and Sullivan-Leonard voted against it. Therefore, HB 296 was
reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee by a vote of 4 yeas - 2 nays.
3:57:10 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:57 p.m. to 4:01 p.m.
4:01:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that HB 268 would be not be heard.
4:02:00 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB296 - Support Letter - AMIA 2.7.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| CSHB313 - Ver. J - 2.16.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB 313 Letter of support ASHNHA - 2.23.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB 313 Letter of Support Spectrum - 2.23.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB 313 Letter of Support Nature's Way - 2.23.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB 313 Letters of Support - 2.23.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB313 - Additional Documents - AKLegResearch.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB313 Additional Documents - Connecticut - Legislative Research Article 2006 2.7.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB313 Additional Documents - State Refund Laws 2.7.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB313 Fiscal Note DCCED-IO 2.7.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB313 Sponsor Statement - 2.7.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB296 - Support Letter- Boys and Girls Club 2.7.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Fiscal Note--DHSS-DBH 2.7.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Fiscal Note--DHSS-DPH 2.7.2018.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Sectional Analysis 1.31.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Sponsor Statement 1.31.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Supplemental Document - ASD Increase Marijuana Suspension 1.31.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Supplemental Document - McDowell Group After School Programs Report 1.31.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Supplemental Document - TGYS Annual Report 1.31.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Supporting Document - DHSS Supporting Powerpoint 2.7.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| HB296 Supporting Document - MJ Use in Alaska 2.7.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/8/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| SSHB268 Sectional Analysis ver O 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Sponsor Statement 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-AK DHSS Opioid Addiction and Treatment Factsheet 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-AK DHSS Opioid Infographic 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-AK DHSS Heroin Use Infographic 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-AK DHSS Pain Treatment Handout 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-AMA Study 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article ADN AK Gov. Opioid Declaration 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article ADN AK Heroin Problem 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article Huffington Post 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article New Yorker 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article NIDA 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article The Star Press Opioids and Foster Care Indiana 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Article VOX 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-CDC Checklist for Opioid Prescribers 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-CDC Patient Opioid Fact Sheet 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-New Jersey Legislature Relevant Opioid Statutes Doc 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-NJAFP Notice RE New Jersey Opioid Law 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-Report CDC Long Term Opioid Use 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document-STUFF Online Article on Alternative Pain Treatment in NZ 1.24.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB 268 Fiscal Note DCCED-CBPL 01.29.18.pdf |
HHSS 1/30/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Draft Proposed Blank CS ver R 2.14.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Explanation of Changes (O-R).pdf |
HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document--Memos from Leg Legal 2.21.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |
| SSHB268 Supporting Document--Support Letters 2.14.18.pdf |
HHSS 2/22/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 2/27/2018 3:00:00 PM HHSS 3/6/2018 3:00:00 PM |
HB 268 |