Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
02/15/2024 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB181 | |
| SB115 | |
| SSCR2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 181 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SSCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 115-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE
4:35:48 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 115
"An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to
physicians; and relating to health care insurance policies."
SB 115 was first heard on January 23, 2024. Invited and public
testimony was heard. On February 6, 2024, a committee substitute
was considered and withdrawn. Before the committee is SB 115,
version B.
4:36:12 PM
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion.
4:36:18 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 33-
LS0542\B.4, to SB 115, version B.
33-LS0542\B.4
Gunther
2/15/24
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR DUNBAR
TO: SB 115
Page 2, line 28:
Delete "2,000"
Insert "6,000"
4:36:25 PM
At ease
4:36:53 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and objected for purposes of
discussion.
4:36:56 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that overall, he agrees with SB 115. He
wants physician assistants (PAs) to have independence within the
field's scope of practice. However, other states require a
higher number of hours working under a physician. In SB 115,
page 2, line 28, "2,000 hours" would change to "6,000 hours." He
opined that the change would provide needed training for
increased safety.
4:38:10 PM
CHAIR TOBIN responded that the committee discussed the clinical
and patient training PAs receive before they can care for
patients. The addition of 2000 hours is to untether PAs from
physicians. PAs are not trying to replace physicians. The goal
is to provide more services at different tiers. The average PA
has over 3000 hours of direct patient contact during their
training. She described the continuing education and exams that
PAs complete to maintain certification. She opined that the
amendment is onerous and unnecessary. However, in the spirit of
collaboration she proposed a conceptual amendment.
4:41:35 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked for a motion.
4:41:35 PM
SENATOR TOBIN moved Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1:
CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 1 TO AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR TOBIN
TO: SB 115
Page 1, line 3:
Delete "2,000"
Insert "4,000"
4:41:48 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked is there was objection.
4:41:50 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR objected for purposes of discussion.
4:41:53 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR stated his belief that most PAs do not want to
practice without a collaborative physician, especially early in
their practice. He opined that most PAs who would take advantage
of SB 115 already meet the required hours. He stated that he
might put forth a future amendment regarding specificity of
hours in another committee of referral.
4:43:27 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR removed his objection to Conceptual Amendment 1
to Amendment 1.
4:43:32 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and Conceptual Amendment
1 to Amendment 1 was adopted.
4:43:47 PM
CHAIR WILSON said Amendment 1 [as amended] was before the
committee. He asked if there was further discussion.
4:43:50 PM
CHAIR TOBIN removed her objection to Amendment 1 [as amended].
4:43:54 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL objected to Amendment 1 [as amended] and stated
that the discussion is arbitrary. PAs are highly educated
healthcare professionals. She opined that it is a bureaucratic
assertion to arbitrarily choose a number to establish
competency. She stated that the national exam is difficult, and
PAs must pass it every 10 years. The letters of concern that the
committee received were not constituents injured by PAs. They
were from a special interest group. She challenged the committee
of non-health care professionals to explain how the extra hours
were determined.
4:46:34 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR rhetorically replied that the committee does not
drill for oil and gas but sets oil and gas policy. Other states
have set hours of up to 10,000 to ensure the public's safety. He
opined that 4,000 seemed like a reasonable compromise.
4:47:48 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL stated that continuing education is required of
PAs every two years. PAs primarily work in family practice. She
wondered if hours would need to be obtained working in varying
clinical settings. She noted that physicians are remunerated for
the clinical care that PAs provide, and PAs must also pay a
supervising physician fee. She suggested SB 115 should place
limits on the fees physicians can charge PAs.
4:49:38 PM
CHAIR TOBIN thanked Senator Giessel for her expertise on PAs in
Alaska. She said she agrees that the conversation denigrates the
education and experience of PAs. Rural areas in Alaska rely on
PAs for healthcare. PAs in Alaska agreed to the 2000 hours
because they understand there is opposition from doctors who
hold the power position. She wondered whether doctors want to
continue agreements with PAs for financial and professional
reasons. She acquiesced to the increase in hours because she is
committed to moving SB 115.
4:51:59 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked for further discussion and if objection was
maintained.
4:52:01 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL maintained her objection.
4:52:03 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked for a roll call vote on Amendment 1 as
amended.
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Kaufman, Dunbar, and Wilson
voted in favor of Amendment 1, as amended, and Senators Giessel
and Tobin voted against it. The vote was 3:2.
4:53:43 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that Amendment 1, as amended, was adopted
on a vote of 3:2.
4:53:46
SENATOR KAUFMAN moved to report Amendment 1, workorder 33-
LS0542|B, as amended, from committee.
4:53:57 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no further objection and CSSB 115 (HSS) was
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 181 Ver H.PDF |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 Sectional Analysis Version H.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 Sponsor Statement Ver H.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 FN DFCS.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 Months to Permanent Placement With Kinship.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 Placement Narratives.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 The Effect of Placement Instability.pdf |
SFIN 4/3/2024 9:00:00 AM SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 Letters of Support Rcvd by 020924_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 LOS Hazen_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB 181 Martin LOS_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SB181 FFCA Concerns.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 181 |
| SSCR 2 v A (EO 125).pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SSCR 2 |
| SSCR 2 Webb in Favor of EO125_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SSCR 2 |
| SSCR 2 DoH FN (EO 125).pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SSCR 2 |
| SSCR 2 re EO 125 Vinton Support.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SSCR 2 |
| SB 115 Ak Academy of Physican Assistants Support.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 115 |
| SB 115 Johnson Opposition.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 115 |
| SB 115 Am No. 1 as amended 2.15.24.pdf |
SHSS 2/15/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 115 |