Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/22/1995 03:00 PM House L&C
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HL&C - 02/22/95 HB 65 - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN GUARANTEES CHAIRMAN KOTT asked for the sponsor of HB 65 to give an opening statement. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES read the following sponsor statement for HB 65, "An Act establishing a loan guarantee and interest rate subsidy programs for assistive technology." "According to a 1991 study, over 20,000 Alaskans experience at least one form of disability. Assistive technology, such as specialized keyboards, hearing aids, or wheelchairs make the difference to many disabled as to whether they keep a job or live independently. Of the disabled, approximately 63 percent need adaptive devices and are unable to purchase these items due to personal financial constraints. "HB 65 establishes a loan guarantee and interest rate subsidy program for those in need of assistive technology. It is a unique public-private sector partnership that enables persons with disabilities to obtain loans who would not otherwise qualify. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation administers the loan program with seed money from the federal Vocational Rehabilitation Technology-Related Assistance Program. Private lending institutions process the loan and arrange a loan guarantee and any interest rate subsidy with the applicant and the Division. "A study by the National Council of Disabilities has shown that over half of the disabled persons receiving assistive technology loans were able to reduce their dependence on public assistance. This bill establishes an assistive technology loan program for Alaskan residents." REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES stated that the legislation will help people help themselves. The individual gains in self-sufficiency and self-respect, society wins because the individuals become more productive members of the work force. The state treasury benefits by the reduction in need for assistance payments. Number 201 CHAIRMAN KOTT was going to open testimony on the teleconference line, then learned that individuals in Juneau were being picked up at 5:00 p.m., so he opened public testimony in Juneau. NANCY ANDESON stated that this was a classic example of why independence was so important. The Care-A-Van was there to pick them up at the Capitol Building at 5:00 p.m. They must give the operators of the Care-A-Van 24 hours advance notice. She explained that she, herself, had a van waiting to get outfitted. Currently, she works at home, but if she could get a wheelchair and scooter that worked without duct tape she could go into the office and be independent. The bottom line she stated, was to make everyone taxpayers. The best way to do that was to allow people the independence and the ability to go to work, keeping in mind that just getting to and from work is not all that's involved. Having disabilities is very expensive. Even if you're fully insured, that doesn't cover buying light-weight comforters because your feet can't turn over in bed under a heavy wool blanket. She stated that she was in the range that did not qualify for any of the programs. She was either too rich, too poor, too young, too old, not mentally disabled, et cetera, to qualify. The Assistive Technology Council has had very good records in other states, the default rate is close to zero. It is something they really want, and they are not going to default. KEN DEAN explained that his chair cost $13,500, the van he normally uses cost another $26,000. He stated that he was the exception to the rule, as he was able to fund those things through insurance. For every one of him, he explained, there were at least five to ten others that fall through the cracks. He stated he had a full-time job. Half the day he works for Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), and the other half he is a paralegal at his home. One of the basic human tendencies is to be able to get out of the house, some of the disabled can't even leave their homes unless they have some assistance to be able to buy a van or whatever it takes to get them out. He stated that in the studies that he's done, from 5,000 to 10,000 people would become functional parts of society instead of being a "blob" in a room, kind of like in years past people with disabilities were pretty much locked in the closet. ELENA KILBUCK testified via teleconference. She read a letter from Brenda Spintz, which stated HB 65 was just what she needed. She is care giver, thus, the power of attorney, and is the daughter of Laura Roberts who, is disabled with progressive super-nuclear palsy, which is a neurological degeneration that effects muscle control and forms of communication with related dementia. She stated her goal was to keep her mother in a home setting for as long as possible. Assistive technology is a necessity to survive on a daily basis, income is strained at all times. If these loans were to become available with low interest, this would be the long term answer for them. She stated that with this loan, they could see a future in their home, and they could purchase needed handicapped equipment for the bathroom. She concluded that HB 65 would enable her mother, and other individuals, to live happier fuller lives in their family surroundings and outside of institutions. Number 341 PATRICK REINHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL (SILC), stated he was in support of HB 65. SILC believes that this legislation is a critical part of a whole array of independent living services. It is an enabling piece of legislation, allowing Alaskans with disabilities, or families with disabled members, to purchase needed adaptive equipment and devices for their needs. Contrary to current popular belief, not all persons in need want government help They want the opportunity to do it on their own. Number 360 JIM JANSEN, CHALLENGE ALASKA, testified via teleconference, in favor of HB 65. He stated that he designs and builds adaptive recreational equipment. He has seen a lot of improvement in people's attitudes and health because of their experiences with recreation. He felt it will be worth the money, in the long run, to give people with disabilities the opportunity to function in recreational settings as well as in employment, and by granting them independence. These loans can get people off welfare, thereby decreasing the cost of caring for persons. The loans will increase people's self-worth through doing more of their own things. Number 401 GREG ALLISON, SAIL, stated that he couldn't emphasize enough the importance of assistive technology, such as hearing aids, which cost $2,000 dollars each. He stated that there are many communities that require you to have hearing aids for their communication needs at home, at play, and during everyday use. He pointed out that the closed caption and TDD machines needed cost as much as $600 dollars and need to be replaced every five years. He stressed the importance of these types of equipment in the deaf community, and he reiterated his support for HB 65. Number 436 PAM GUY, STATE EMPLOYEE, DEAF ADVOCATE, stated how important HB 65 was to people in helping them to achieve their goals, with more independence. The 90 percent loan guarantee would help, especially those people whose benefits are cut. She stated that this would be great for their needs. Number 451 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER stated this was a bill that every legislator, regardless of their position in the spectrum of philosophy, could support. He stated that if you are a hard hearted conservative you can support it because this will get people who might otherwise be on welfare or general assistance back off of those roles. If you are a bleeding heart liberal, you are actually improving the quality of life for some citizens in the state. Representative Porter moved and asked unanimous consent to move HB 65 out of committee with individual recommendations. REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked if they were talking about $100,000. STAN RIDGEWAY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, stated that there was a fiscal note of $300,000. This is $100,000 each year for the next three years, with the possibility of additional funding the fourth year. This is federal funding. This grant ends in five years, and in the fourth year gets cut to 75 percent. In the fifth year it gets cut 50 percent. However, they are not sure how much will be available those years. REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked how many people they could help with only $100,000. MR. RIDGEWAY answered that most of the loans would be under $5,000. They were hoping to leverage the money by buying bonds or an insurance policy. Number 542 REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS stated that this money would go much farther if it were possibly a 60 percent loan, instead of a 90 percent loan. MR. RIDGEWAY stated that the banking industry had been in support of this bill. It would help those people in the banking community to deal with their community reinvestment loans. REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked at what point would they would oppose this. MR. RIDGEWAY answered that, at this point, he wouldn't make a recommendation without speaking with the Alaska Banker's Association. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG stated HB 65 had two other committee referrals and that he'd keep an eye on it. Number 554 CHAIRMAN KOTT stated that there was a motion to move HB 65 out of committee. Hearing no objections, the motion passed.
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