Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/29/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
SB140 | |
SB144 | |
SB160 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | SB 140 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 144 "An Act temporarily reinstating the child and adult immunization program in the Department of Health and Social Services; and providing for an effective date." 9:11:14 AM Senator Ellis MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee substitute for CS SB 144 (FIN), Work Draft 27-LS1068\R (Mischel, 2/21/21). Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for purpose of discussion. DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, discussed the sectional changes in the work draft. He pointed out page 3, line 3, and explained that the previous version of SB 144 stated that for children under 19 years of age, the Commissioner may approve any vaccines that had been specifically prohibited. He noted that page 3, line 4 included new language that said for a child under 19 years of age, all vaccines required for school attendance would be provided. Also, there was a specific inclusion of meningococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV), and rotavirus. The previous version of the bill specifically included influenza, pneumococcal, and TDAP vaccines. The proposed work draft, on page 3, line 7, added the Shingles vaccine. He explained that the previous version allowed for the Commissioner to add or subtract vaccines for inclusion in the program based on nationally recognized public health standards and the availability of funding. The work draft changed that language by stating that the Commissioner can add vaccines for inclusion based on recommendations and the availability of funding, and only allowing the Commissioner to subtract vaccines from the program if the disease had been declared eradicated by the Centers for Disease Control. He stated that it would be incumbent on the legislature to be sure the program is fully funded for three years, since the Commissioner was not allowed to subtract vaccines. He noted the new fiscal note had increased the cost of the program to $4.632 million. Senator Olson wondered if the proposed committee substitute had the support of the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). Mr. Peterson replied that a representative from DHSS was available to testify regarding their support. He explained that DHSS had expressed concern regarding the flexibility of the Commissioner to add or subtract vaccines. The Commissioner's oversight was restricted in order to prevent political influence to add or subtract vaccines. He stressed that the change made for the children vaccines allowed some flexibility for the Commissioner, because there was a statute that declared, In the judgment of the Commissioner of Health and Social Services, if it is necessary for the children and general public, then vaccines can be administered to children. Senator Olson wondered if the parents had the option of opting out of the HPV vaccine. Mr. Peterson replied that parents had that option. Co-Chair Hoffman removed his objection. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, introduced herself. Co-Chair Hoffman requested a review of the SB 144. Senator Giessel stated that in previous years the federal government had provided the State of Alaska with $4.3 million for the vaccine program, and the amount had currently decreased to $700,000. She stated that the governor had included an additional $700,000 for the vaccination program in his proposed budget. SB 144 was designed to provide state funding for the remainder of the cost of for the vaccine program. She stressed that there would be a loss of preventative medicine in Alaska, if the bill did not pass. Senator Olson wondered if Senator Giessel was in favor of the proposed committee substitute. Senator Giessel replied that she was in favor of the proposed committee substitute. Senator Ellis MOVED to report CS SB 144 (FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS SB 144 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal impact note from the Senate Finance Committee for the Department of Health and Social Services.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
---|