Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/16/1998 09:00 AM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SCR 14 - PARITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt CSSCR 14(HES), version K. There being no objection, the motion carried. TAPE 98-11, SIDE B CHAIRMAN WILKEN explained version K incorporates the five amendments adopted at the previous meeting. SENATOR LEMAN referred to item #1 on page 2, lines 7-8, and expressed concern that the current phrase presumes that discrimination against people with mental disorders is occurring in health insurance policies. He maintained that if the word "discrimination" is understood to mean differences in policies then its use is legitimate. CHAIRMAN WILKEN asked Senator Leman if his concern is taken care of in the paragraph above which charges the Task Force with defining the four different classifications. SENATOR LEMAN maintained that insurance policies are designed to discriminate among users because certain classes of users are higher risks, such as teenage drivers, therefore such discrimination is appropriate. SENATOR GREEN suggested using the phrase "review health insurance coverage of persons with mental disorders," because the concern is coverage rather than policies. SENATOR LEMAN thought the existing language is acceptable as long as the intent is clear. CHAIRMAN WILKEN suggested deleting lines 7-8 altogether to eliminate the suggestion of discrimination. WALTER MAJOROS, Executive Director of the Alaska Mental Health Board, stated his interpretation of the word "discrimination" would mean the Task Force is to study differential treatment of people with mental illnesses versus people with physical disorders, which is the heart of the issue. CHAIRMAN WILKEN asked if that is taken care of on line 10, with the phrase, "special emphasis on parity, ...." SENATOR GREEN thought the first "WHEREAS" clause contains that intent. SENATOR GREEN moved to delete lines 7-8 on page 2. MR. MAJOROS stated the issue is one of clarity, and that if the Legislature wants the Task Force to look at the issue of differential treatment, lines 7-8 provide that mandate. CHAIRMAN WILKEN suggested adding the words "differential treatment" to lines 9-11. SENATOR LEMAN suggested using the language, "differential treatment in health insurance policies between coverage for mental and physical disorders" because it will clarify the heart of the issue. MR. MAJOROS felt that language would be acceptable. CHAIRMAN WILKEN announced the motion to delete lines 7-8 on page 2 carried with no objection. SENATOR LEMAN moved to create a new item #1, beginning on line 7, to read, "differential treatment in health insurance policies between coverage for physical and mental disorders;". There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR LEMAN moved to pass CSSCR 14(HES) as amended out of committee with individual recommendations and its accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried.
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