Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/12/1998 09:10 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Establishing the Alaska Task Force on Parity for Mental Health. CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14(HES) Establishing the Alaska Task Force on Parity for Mental Health. WALTER MAJOROS, Executive Director of the Alaska Mental Health Board, was invited by Co-Chair Sharp to speak to this resolution. Mr. Majoros told the committee of the great deal of support for this effort. He summarized the background of the Mental Health Parity issue. Nine out of ten insurance companies treat mental health differently than they treat physical health. A federal act has been enacted, and although it has brought about some improvement, there is still great disparity. Fifteen states have already passed their own mental health parity laws and several other states are in the process of adopting similar legislation. This resolution is part of Alaska's efforts to achieve equity. He then provided some specifics on the resolution. It would establish a task force to address the mental health care issue. He described the make-up of the committee membership and detailed some other aspects of the committee. He pointed out that the task force would require no General Funds for inception or operation. The measure has been pre-funded by the Mental Health Trust Authority. The committee then heard public testimony on the resolution. BILL HERMAN via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, Planner for the Mental Health Trust Authority voiced his support for SCR 14. ROBYN HENRY via teleconference from ANCHORAGE, member of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Alaska told the committee about the issues and how they effect folks personally. She pledged NAMI-AK's support for the task force. The organization is willing to provide research and resources. JEANETTE GRASTCO via teleconference from FAIRBANKS, President of the Fairbanks Alliance for the Mentally Ill supported the resolution. She called the treatment of mentally ill patients different from physically ill patients, discriminatory. She referred to the zero fiscal note and said she felt that needed to be looked at. She told the committee about her children, and other young people she knows, who suffer from mental illness. Although with proper treatment, they are able to lead normal lives, they face high medical bills because their insurance does not adequately cover the costs. FRANCES CATER via teleconference from KODIAK, member of the Kodiak Alliance for the Mentally Ill said she supported SCR 14. She talked about the lifetime cap many insurance policies impose and how they are often reached after just one hospital stay. Also, people with a mental illness are often denied coverage for any new health insurance plans. She shared her experiences as a full time volunteer with KAMI. BETH LACROSSE via teleconference from KETCHIKAN, Secretary of NAMI-AK and President of Ketchikan Alliance for the Mentally Ill, testified against the current insurance discrimination. She spoke of the public disdain shown mental illness. She referred to studies proving most mental illnesses are biological. She made comparisons to mental illness insurance coverage and coverage for physical illness. She said the costs for treating a mental illness are less that those to treat most any other ailment. SYBIL SKELTON via teleconference from FAIRBANKS, testified in favor of SCR 14. She told the committee she suffers from a mental illness but with proper treatment is able to lead a normal life. She said people with a mental illness shouldn't be made to feel ashamed. She talked about her experience working in a mental hospital. According to her, most mental illnesses don't show up on laboratory tests. She indicated her desire to serve on the task force when it is formed. LORRAINE DERR, representing the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, testified in person. Her organization supports the task force and subsequent resolution. This concluded public testimony. Co-Chair Sharp noted the zero fiscal note and asked that a revised version be prepared to show an explanation about the grant from the Mental Health Trust Authority. He felt this would avoid confusion when the resolution is presented on the Senate floor. Senator Torgerson had a question for Mr. Majoros. He wanted to know why a seat on the task force was designated for a staff member from Congress. Mr. Majoros explained that portion was not part of the original version of the resolution but was added by the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. The reason for including a congressional staff member was to help the group with the continuing federal regulation changes. The MHTA accepted this amendment. Senator Torgerson voiced his opposition to having a member of Congress' staff hold a voting seat on the task force. He said he would prefer to have a health care provider or a consumer hold that seat. Senator Parnell agreed. There was discussion between Senators Torgerson, Parnell, Phillips and Mr. Majoros regarding the number of seats the task force should contain. Senator Torgerson offered an amendment to omit the congressional staff seat and increase to two, the number of seats held by health care providers. There was no objection and Co-Chair Sharp ordered the amendment adopted. Senator Phillips made a motion to move Senate Finance Committee's substitute for SCR 14 out of committee with accompanied fiscal note with notations. There was no objection and Co-Chair Sharp so ordered.
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