Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/16/2014 07:00 AM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB281 | |
| HB309 | |
| HB357 | |
| HB169 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 281 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 309 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 357 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 281-PRESCRIPTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
7:05:21 AM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 281. "An Act
relating to prescription of drugs by a physician without a
physical examination." He noted that this was the first hearing.
[CSHB 281(L&C) was before the committee.]
7:05:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature Juneau,
Alaska, speaking as sponsor stated that HB 281 is essentially
Section 2 of Senator Dyson's SB 80, which this committee heard
previously. HB 281 clarifies in statute that physicians may not
be sanctioned for dispensing or administering prescription
medications without a physical examination of the patient if the
prescription drug is not a controlled substance, or if it is a
controlled substance that a licensed medical provider is present
with the patient during the examination. This practice, which is
called telemedicine, will allow patients to obtain over the
phone or online consultations from physicians that are located
in Alaska who can diagnose an ailment and provide a
prescription, if necessary. Telemedicine has worked well in
Alaska for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the
Veterans' Administration, and the military. It would work well
for anyone in the state.
7:07:34 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked if the Alaska State Medical Association
(ASMA) had voiced an opinion on the bill.
7:07:49 AM
REID HARRIS, Staff, Representative Lynn Gattis, sponsor of HB
281, reported that ASMA supports the bill.
SENATOR OLSON asked if the sponsor had solicited support from
the chief medical officers in departments such as the Department
of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Department of
Corrections (DOC).
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said yes, and that is why the bill
provides an exemption for controlled substances.
SENATOR OLSON asked if mid-level practitioners have a position
on the bill.
MR. HARRIS said a number of nurses have submitted comments, but
the bill deals strictly with physicians.
7:09:47 AM
LAURA BROOKS, Health Care Administrator, Department of
Corrections (DOC), said she oversees inmate health care and
appreciates the sponsor's efforts to ensure that the bill allows
DOC to continue to practice as it has been. The changes that
were made in the other body allow this.
SENATOR OLSON asked if the bill allows something that wasn't
allowed before or if it simply adds clarity to existing
guidelines and regulations.
MS. BROOKS replied the bill doesn't change anything about DOC's
practice, but initially it didn't allow prescriptions for
controlled substances. That was cause for concern because
thousands of people enter the corrections system every year that
require the prescription of controlled substances. The
amendments made in the House allow the department to continue to
prescribe controlled substances to these high needs, at-risk
individuals without sending them to the local hospital or having
to have a provider on site 24/7 in every facility in the state.
SENATOR OLSON asked if Dr. Lawrence is in favor of the bill.
MS. BROOKS answered yes.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened and closed public testimony.
7:12:37 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE said his office addressed questions nurses had
about physicians being located out of state, confidentiality,
post op care, and whether the bill was limited to physicians.
Those nurses are satisfied with the bill and he personally
supports it.
SENATOR OLSON asked Ms. Chambers how to ensure that these
physicians aren't adversely affected by inordinate
investigations.
7:13:36 AM
SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development (DCCED), said her understanding is that the
Medical Board doesn't support the bill solely because they
believe that a physician-to-physician relationship is in the
best interest of the health care priorities of the state. Her
perspective is that telemedicine would be regulated fairly and
according to the same investigative boundaries as any medical
practice.
SENATOR OLSON expressed hope that she was aware that physician-
to-physician interaction is not a reality in rural Alaska
because health care is delivered by mid-level practitioners.
SENATOR MICCICHE related his personal experience using Teladoc
services for relatively minor conditions, and opined that it may
add levels of care for people who tend to wait until their
condition gets more serious. He asked Senator Olson if his
constituents generally have the federal waiver.
SENATOR OLSON confirmed that they're covered under federal tort.
SENATOR MICCICHE restated his support for the bill as a means of
reducing the cost of low-impact medical care.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY found no further questions or comments and
solicited a motion.
7:18:49 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report HB 281, Version N, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection CSHB 281(L&C)
was reported from the Senate Labor & Commerce Standing
Committee.