Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
04/09/2012 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB310 | |
| Presentation: Alaska Ehealth Network | |
| HB218 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 310 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 310-STATE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
1:35:34 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced that the first order of business would be
HB 310. She recognized Senator Giessel in attendance.
SENATOR EGAN noted that CSHB 310(FIN), version I, was before the
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, sponsor of HB 310, presented the
bill. He thanked several people for their work on the bill,
including Senators Giessel and Olson. He related that the Alaska
Immunization Program was once under the watch of the late
Senator Ted Stevens. In 2010 federal monies for immunization
dropped from $4.3 million to $700,000. He said it was time that
Alaskans figure out how to run a fully funded immunization
program. He related that SB 144 is just a temporary act and over
the next few years the legislature will figure out how to
provide an immunization program for Alaska. The Health Care
Commission does not endorse any legislation, but does support a
program for immunization for disease prevention.
He pointed out that the legislation does not affect a family's
choice to not vaccinate their children.
1:38:53 PM
SENATOR EGAN noted there was an attached fiscal note.
SENATOR MEYER recalled hearing SB 144 previously and wondered if
HB 310 was different.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON explained that both bills were once nearly
identical. The House Finance version [I] includes a list of
school-required vaccines plus, on page 3, line 5, meningococcal
rotavirus, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines, as well as
zoster, or shingles, on line 8. Lines 9 through 15 give the
responsibility and the authority to the commissioner to add
vaccines or subtract vaccines based upon criteria. Lines 16
through 20 provide that if there is scientific evidence a
vaccine can be subtracted. Lines 19 and 20 provide that if the
revenue stream declines, vaccines can be dropped from the
recommended list. He noted that the bill passed the House 37 to
0.
1:41:48 PM
WARD HURLBURT, M.D., Director, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health and Social Services, testified during the
hearing of HB 310. He noted that there have been more than 600
cases of whooping cough in Washington State and about 35 in
Idaho. The funding from the bill will enable Alaska to protect
the 25 percent of children for whom there are no other
resources, which will, in turn, protect the whole population.
1:43:03 PM
GEORGE RHYNEER, M.D., Alaska Physicians and Surgeons, testified
in support of HB 310. He emphasized that the bill provides so
much for so little. He called it an extremely cost-effective way
of improving the health of Alaskans and it is the humane thing
to do.
MARIE DARLIN, AARP, testified in support of SB 310. She noted a
letter of support by AARP. She discussed how important it is to
have free immunizations for older citizens. She mentioned the
large number of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren
and the importance of vaccinating their grandchildren.
1:46:59 PM
CHAIR DAVIS noted that the committee heard Senator Giessel's
companion bill to HB 310.
She closed public testimony.
SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHB 310(FIN), version I, from
committee with individual recommendations and the attached
fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 310(FIN) was
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.