Legislature(2005 - 2006)BELTZ 211
04/04/2006 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB311 | |
| SB312 | |
| SB272 | |
| HB393 | |
| HB394 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 394 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 311 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 312 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 272 | ||
| += | HB 393 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CSHB 393(HES)-INSURANCE FOR COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING
CHAIR BUNDE announced CSHB 393(HES) to be up for consideration.
HEATH HILYARD, staff to Representative Tom Anderson, addressed
CSHB 393(HES) for the sponsor. He said in the last meeting there
was some concern about the fiscal note from the Division of
Retirement and Benefits. Since that time, he had talked with the
Division of Insurance and the Division of Retirement and
Benefits and sought a legal opinion from Legislative Legal. As a
result, the fiscal note before them was revised.
2:00:17 PM
MELANIE MILHORN, Director, Division of Retirement and Benefits,
Department of Administration (DOA), said the Department
administers two health plans - one for retirees and one for
active employees. The governing authority for both those plans
is found in AS 39.30.090. The state became self-insured in 1997.
The active plan covers approximately 5,300 employees and 8,900
dependents for a total of 14,400 active people. The retiree plan
provides system paid health care coverage for PERS, TRS, JRS
(Judicial Retirement System) and EPORS (Elected Public Officers
Retirement System) members - approximately 29,300 retirees and
their dependent number of 24,700 for a total of 54,000 retirees.
The Commissioner of the Department of Administration has the
authority to make changes to both plans in AS 39.30.090 - .095.
The Division has not taken a position on policy aspect of CSHB
393(HES), but agrees that preventative services are in the best
interests of employees and their families. They can also reduce
costs to a plan.
MS. MILHORN explained that in preparing for the very first
hearing on this bill, the Division was under the erroneous
assumption that colorectal cancer screening would be mandated
coverage for the retiree plan in accordance with AS 21.42.
However, further discussions with the Division of Insurance and
Department of Law and revealed that it is not a mandated
coverage and the Division of Retirement and Benefits is not
regulated under the Division of Insurance. So, there would not
be an impact to the state's active or retiree plan.
The active plan already covers preventative services such as
colorectal cancer screening if a physician requests that testing
be done within 90 days of an annual exam. It does not cover
preventative services for the retiree plan with the exception of
those found in AS 21.42 - PSA testing, mammograms and pap
smears. Those were not under the retiree plan, but the
Commissioner of the Department of Administration had voluntarily
amended it to include those preventative coverages.
CHAIR BUNDE asked if the process to get colorectal screenings
included in the retirees plan would be to go through the
Commissioner of the Department of Administration who has the
authority to make the same decision he made on breast cancer
screening for active employees.
MS. MILHORN replied yes.
2:05:33 PM
EMILY NENON, Director, Alaska Government Relations, American
Cancer Society, said she had testified at the previous hearing
and was available to answer questions.
2:05:55 PM
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass CSHB 393(HES) from committee with
individual recommendations and attached revised fiscal note.
Senators Davis, Ellis, Ben Stevens, Seekins and Chair Bunde
voted yea; and CSHB 393(HES) moved from committee.
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