Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/26/1993 03:00 PM House HES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
STANDING COMMITTEE
March 26, 1993
3:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Rep. Cynthia Toohey, Co-Chair
Rep. Con Bunde, Co-Chair
Rep. Gary Davis, Vice Chair
Rep. Al Vezey
Rep. Pete Kott
Rep. Harley Olberg
Rep. Bettye Davis
Rep. Irene Nicholia
Rep. Tom Brice
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HB 105: "An Act providing for incarceration for
nonviolent, youthful first offenders in boot camps
operated by the Department of Corrections;
creating the Boot Camp Advisory Board in the
Department of Corrections; amending Alaska Rule of
Criminal Procedure 35; and providing for an
effective date."
PASSED WITH INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS
SB 53: "An Act annulling changes made by certain
regulations adopted by the Department of Health
and Social Services relating to funding of
abortion services under the general relief medical
program; and providing for an effective date."
HEARD AND HELD TO TIME UNCERTAIN
WITNESS REGISTER
REP. ED WILLIS
The Alaska State Legislature
Room 614 Courthouse
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Phone: (907) 465-2199
Position statement: Prime sponsor of HB 105
DICK STOFFEL
1252 Pioneer Dr.
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: (907) 376-1691
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
JOHN DAVIES
P.O. Box 870478
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: (907) 373-2450
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
KATIE HURLY
P.O. Box 870157
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: (907) 376-5736
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
GREG MIDDAG
643 Sunset Drive
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: (907) 225-2290 home
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
JUDY JENKINSON
House District Vice-Chair
Democratic Party
2326 First Ave.
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: (907) 225-5839
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
RITA COX, Vice President
American Association of University Women
825 B St.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 463-3160
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
BILL BURK
P.O. Box 240742
Douglas, Alaska 99824
Phone: (907) 780-6019
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
DEBORAH MORRIS
P.O. Box 304
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Phone: (907) 283-8459
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
KENNA DUBOIS
P.O. Box 702
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
895-4851
Position Statement: Opposed SB 53
JOYCE MOLDENHAUER
P.O. Box 595
Sterling, Alaska 99672
Phone: (907) 262-9319
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
ANN PENCE, Program Coordinator
Women's Resource and Crisis Center
325 S. Spruce
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Phone: (907) 283-9479
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
NANCY WALLIN
P.O. Box 1492
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
MELLIE TERWILLIGER
P.O. Box 206
Tok, Alaska 99708
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
RALPH E. LOHSE
P.O. Box 14
Cordova, Alaska 99574
Phone: (907) 424-7170
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
ROY MOONEYHAM
P.O. Box 1275
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-1978
Position Statement:
BARBARA RAWALT
P.O. Box 823
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-1946
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
MICHAEL RAWALT
P.O. Box 823
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-1946
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
DAVID ARNEGARD
P.O. Box 138
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-1930
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
DEBRA JOSLIN
P.O. Box 337
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-4565
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
JULIE BRENNAN
P.O. Box 1165
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-5153
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
CONNIE EMMERT
P.O. Box 7191
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: (907) 225-8811
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
HEATHER MUENCH
P.O. Box 6811
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: (907) 225-5372
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
TERESA CREVIER
1123 Black Bear Road
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: (907) 225-6588
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
GLENDA TABOR
P.O. Box 325
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Phone: (907) 442-3168
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
BONNIE JACK
1063 W 20th Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Phone: (907) 279-4836
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
ANNALEE MCCONNELL
Public Affairs Coordinator
Planned Parenthood of Alaska
224 W. 23rd Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Phone: (907) 277-4822
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
MYRNA MAYNARD
2237 Forest Park Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99517
Phone: (907) 272-3357
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
SHERYL JACOBSON
614 Fischer
Anchorage, Alaska 99518
Phone: (907) 563-7409
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
RANDALL BURNS
Alaska Civil Liberties Union
P.O. Box 201844
Anchorage, Alaska 99520
Phone: (907) 258-0044
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
SHERRIE GOLL, Lobbyist
Alaska Women's Lobby; KIDPAC
P.O. Box 22156
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Phone: (907) 463-6744
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
JOHN KNUTSON
2010 Lisga St.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-7747
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
EVELYN FRISK
Interior Alaska Women's Political Caucus
P.O. Box 10465
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 457-2552
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
RUTH EWIG, Secretary
National Association of Christian Educators/
Citizens for Excellence in Education, Fairbanks chapter
2325 30th Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-5538
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
MEG GAYDOSIK, Board Member
American Association of University Women
1024 Fifth Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Phone: (907) 456-8389
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
KRIS GROSE
Interior Alaska Right to Life
1111 Eliz St.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: (907) 455-6886
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
NANCY KUHN
National Organization of Women, Fairbanks
2086 Amy-Dyan Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
Phone: (907) 488-0329
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
VIRGINIA PHILLIPS
404 Lake St. 2-D
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: (907) 747-8024
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
ALICE YOUNG
Sitka Respect for Human Life
P.O. Box 6161
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: (907) 747-5155
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
TOM MCBRIDE, Executive Director
Another Way, Inc.
P.O. Box 779
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-4009
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
MARK MOLDENHAUER
P.O. Box 595
Sterling, Alaska 99672
Phone: (907) 262-9319
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
JENNY EAST-COLE
P.O. Box 1347
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Phone: (907) 895-4079
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
ROSEANNE CURRAN
P.O. Box 42
Cordova, Alaska 99574
Phone: (907) 424-7642
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
CHARLES HORAN, Member
Sitka Pro-Life Coalition
403 Lincoln St.
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: (907) 747-6666
Position statement: Testified in opposition to SB 53
CAROLE EVANS, Chair
Interior Alaska Women's Caucus
1212 Farmers Loop
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: (907) 456-7794 work
Position statement: Testified in support of SB 53
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 105
SHORT TITLE: BOOT CAMP FOR NONVIOLENT FIRST OFFENDERS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) WILLIS,Bunde
TITLE: "An Act providing for incarceration for nonviolent,
youthful first offenders in boot camps operated by the
Department of Corrections; creating the Boot Camp Advisory
Board in the Department of Corrections; amending Alaska Rule
of Criminal Procedure 35; and providing for an effective
date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/29/93 180 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/29/93 180 (H) HES, JUDICIARY, FINANCE
03/24/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/24/93 (H) MINUTE(HES)
03/26/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: SB 53
SHORT TITLE: ANNULLING ABORTION FUNDING REGULATIONS
BILL VERSION: CSSB 53(FIN) AM(EFD FLD)
SPONSOR(S): HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
TITLE: "An Act relating to payment for abortions under
Medicaid and general relief medical assistance; annulling
changes made by certain regulations adopted by the
Department of Health and Social Services relating to funding
of abortion services under the general relief medical
program."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/22/93 122 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/22/93 122 (S) HES, JUD, FINANCE
01/27/93 (S) HES AT 01:30 PM BUTROVICH
ROOM 205
01/27/93 (S) MINUTE(HES)
01/29/93 187 (S) HES RPT 4DP 1NR 1DNP
01/29/93 187 (S) FISCAL NOTES PUBLISHED
(DHSS-5)
02/10/93 (S) JUD AT 01:30 PM BELTZ ROOM 211
02/10/93 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/24/93 (S) JUD AT 01:30 PM BELTZ ROOM 211
02/24/93 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/25/93 481 (S) JUD RPT 1DP 2DP W/AM 2DNP
02/25/93 481 (S) PREVIOUS FNS (DHSS-5)
02/25/93 487 (S) FIN WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE,RULE 23
02/26/93 499 (S) FIN RPT CS 4DP 2DNP
NEW TITLE
02/26/93 499 (S) PREVIOUS FNS APPLY TO CS
(DHSS-5)
02/26/93 (S) FIN AT 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE
518
02/26/93 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
02/26/93 (S) RLS AT 01:15 PM FAHRENKAMP
ROOM 203
02/26/93 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
03/02/93 575 (S) MOTION TO CALENDAR 3/3/93
FLD Y8 N11 E1
03/03/93 589 (S) RULES RPT 2/CALENDAR 1/OTHER
REC 3/3/93
03/03/93 590 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
03/03/93 591 (S) FIN CS ADOPTED Y13 N5 E1 A1
03/03/93 592 (S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED Y11 N8 E1
03/03/93 592 (S) ADVANCE TO 3RD RDG FAILED
Y13 N6 E1
03/03/93 592 (S) THIRD READING 3/5 CALENDAR
03/05/93 634 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB
53(FIN) AM
03/05/93 635 (S) PASSED Y12 N6 E2
03/05/93 635 (S) EFFECTIVE DATE FAILED Y12
N6 E2
03/05/93 635 (S) Duncan NOTICE OF
RECONSIDERATION
03/08/93 658 (S) RECON TAKEN UP - IN THIRD
READING
03/08/93 659 (S) PLACED AT BOTTOM OF CALENDAR
UNAN CONS
03/08/93 672 (S) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y13
N6 E1
03/08/93 672 (S) EFFECTIVE DATE FAILED Y13 N6 E1
03/08/93 677 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/10/93 582 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/10/93 582 (H) L&C, HES, JUDICIARY, FINANCE
03/23/93 (H) L&C AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 124
03/25/93 (H) L&C AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 124
03/25/93 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/26/93 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-48, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR BUNDE called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m., noted
members present and announced the calendar.
HB 105: BOOT CAMP FOR NON-VIOLENT FIRST OFFENDERS
Number 022
CHAIR BUNDE noted that the committee was hearing HB 105 for
the second time, and that after discussion about an
amendment at the previous hearing, the sponsor had returned
with an amended bill. He announced his intention to resolve
problems wIth the bill and move it out of committee.
REP. VEZEY asked for a description of the amendment.
CHAIR BUNDE asked him to wait until the bill's sponsor had
spoken.
Number 032
REP. ED WILLIS, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 105, addressed the
amendment. He referred to a blank committee substitute
prepared as a work draft for the House Health, Education and
Social Services (HESS) Committee, and pointed out the
differences between it and the original. The title was
amended to allow individuals to contract with the Department
of Corrections to contract with persons, which he said would
allow contracts for boot camps with both non-profits, as has
been Rep. Nicholia's concern, and with for-profit
corporations, as had been Rep. Vezey's concern.
REP. TOOHEY asked whether the change mandated or allowed the
Department of Corrections to contract out operation of boot
camps.
REP. WILLIS said the change allowed such contracts.
CHAIR BUNDE said the change did not require boot camps to be
operated by non-state entities.
Number 070
REP. VEZEY commented favorably on the craftsmanship
evidenced by the first amendment.
Number 076
REP. WILLIS referred to a second change, on page 1, lines 9-
13, and page 2, lines 1-4, adding language to allow first
time misdemeanant in the program, as Corrections
Commissioner Lloyd Rupp had asked. The imprisonment term
was set at at least 150 days for both first-time
misdemeanants and first-time felons who had not previously
been in a boot camp program, he said. Changes on page 2,
line 22, section 4, added language to ensure that personal
accountability and the work ethic would be part of the boot
camp training program. Changes on page 3, lines 7-11,
provide for contracting, he said. Changes on page 3, lines
12-25, address the limitations of the Department of
Corrections' statistical information system, he said.
Changes on page 3, lines 26-31, and page 4, lines 1-11, are
aimed at making elements of the bill pertaining with
eligibility agree with one another. He said that the
Department of Corrections has reviewed and approved the
changes to HB 105 reflected in the amended version of the
bill.
Number 134
REP. B. DAVIS moved that the committee accept the committee
substitute (CS) of HB 105, as amended.
CHAIR BUNDE, hearing no objections, declared that the
committee had adopted CSHB 105, as amended. He asked
whether including misdemeanant to the program would change
the fiscal note for the bill. He said he was receiving "a
strong signal" from a representative of the Department of
Corrections that the fiscal note would not be affected by
the change.
Number 152
REP. NICHOLIA moved for passage of CSHB 105 with individual
recommendations.
CHAIR BUNDE called for a roll call vote on the motion.
Those voting yes were: Reps. Vezey, B. Davis, Nicholia,
Toohey, Bunde and G. Davis. Those voting no: none. He
indicated that the bill had PASSED WITH INDIVIDUAL
RECOMMENDATIONS. He called for a brief at-ease.
SB 53 ANNULLING ABORTION FUNDING REGULATIONS
Number 173
REP. TOOHEY called the meeting back to order and assumed the
chair. She brought SB 53 to the table, announced that the
remainder of the meeting would be teleconferenced, possibly
later than usual. She said it was possible SB 53 might not
be passed out that day, to allow time for further testimony.
She noted that the committee took public testimony on SB 53
the previous day but not by teleconference, and that she
intended the committee to hear testimony by teleconference
during the meeting. She noted that the Senate HESS
Committee had taken many hours of testimony on SB 53, and
that she wanted individuals to limit their testimony on the
bill to two minutes to allow time for others to speak as
well.
Number 205
(Technical problems prevented efforts to receive testimony
from Ketchikan.)
Number 226
DICK STOFFEL, A CONTRACTOR, testified via teleconference
from Mat-Su in opposition to SB 53. He said he believed
life began at conception and that abortion was murder of
innocent babies. He said he did not want his tax money
supporting abortion.
Number 247
JOHN DAVIES, AN ATTORNEY, testified via teleconference from
Mat-Su in opposition to SB 53. He said he opposed any use
of government funds for abortion. He supported the position
paper issued by Kimberly B. Bush, director of the Division
of Legal Assistance.
Number 263
KATIE HURLY testified via teleconference from Mat-Su in
support of SB 53. She said abortion is legal in Alaska, and
that without passage of SB 53, Alaska wold be discriminating
against poor women. She said it was not an abortion issue,
but rather an issue of providing health care to people in
need.
Number 278
GREG MIDDAG testified in Juneau in support of SB 53. He
said women need the right to make their own medical
decisions.
Number 283
JUDY JENKINSON, HOUSE DISTRICT VICE-CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY, testified in Juneau in support of SB 53. She
seconded the comments of Ms. Hurly, her friend and mentor.
She said SB 53 supported the rights of poor women in Alaska.
Number 294
RITA COX, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
UNIVERSITY WOMEN, ALASKA, testified in Juneau in support of
SB 53. She said the association, representing 200 members
in Alaska, supported the bill and appreciated work done on
the bill that morning and the previous day.
Number 300
BILL BURK testified in Juneau in support of SB 53. He said
the rich have always been able to get abortions, but poor
women suffer the damaging complications of illegal
abortions. Having been a social worker, he said he had seen
the physical and mental abuse women undergo.
Number 317
DEBORAH MORRIS testified via teleconference from Kenai in
opposition to SB 53. She said she did not want her tax
money used to murder babies, and she opposed provisions that
would allow state funding for abortions in cases in which it
was decided that not ending a pregnancy would result in
psychological harm to the mother. She claimed SB 53 would
force hospitals to perform abortions against their wills.
She said only abortionists would benefit from the bill.
Number 341
JOYCE MOLDENHAUER testified via teleconference from Kenai in
opposition to SB 53. She said there are better ways than
abortion to resolve crisis pregnancies. She said voting for
SB 53 was a vote for murder.
Number 363
ANN PENCE testified via teleconference from Kenai in support
of SB 53. She said eliminating state funding of abortion
was the start of erosion of women's rights in general. She
said the majority of Alaskans support pro-choice
legislation.
Number 371
NANCY WALLIN testified via teleconference from Kenai in
support of SB 53. She said the issue was not whether
abortion was right or wrong, and that it was legal. She
said the issue was whether the state would allow those on
Medicaid to have reproductive choice.
Number 386
MELLIE TERWILLIGER testified via teleconference from Tok in
support of SB 53. She said she was not immoral and she
cares about women and families. She said she believed
abortion was an issue of women's choice.
Number 398
RALPH E. LOHSE testified via teleconference from Cordova in
opposition to SB 53. He said a vote for SB 53 was a vote
for an abortion procedure known as D&X, which he described
in graphic detail, in which a fetus' head was drained and
crushed prior to evacuation. He asked God to have mercy on
the state.
Number 425
CHAIR TOOHEY noted that the committee was taking testimony
on whether the state should fund abortions for poor women,
and not whether abortion was right or wrong. She asked
those testifying to limit their comments to the issue at
hand. She also announced that, if the technical problems
barred testimony from Ketchikan during that meeting, there
would be a separate opportunity for those in Ketchikan to
testify by teleconference on SB 53 at a later meeting.
ROY MOONEYHAM, A SOUTHERN BAPTIST PASTOR, testified via
teleconference from Delta Junction in opposition to SB 53.
He said he opposed abortion and funding for abortion any
way, and he believed that adoption was a better solution
than abortion.
Number 439
BARBARA RAWALT, A MOTHER AND HOMEMAKER, testified via
teleconference from Delta Junction in opposition to SB 53.
She said abortion was murder, allowable only to save a
mother's life. She encouraged saving limited resources for
essential areas such as police and fire protection, not
abortion. She said most Alaskans opposed abortion funding.
Number 451
MICHAEL RAWALT testified via teleconference from Delta
Junction in opposition to SB 53. He read a letter he had
sent to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner newspaper, which
chastised state legislators for passing SB 53 through a
Senate HESS Committee, despite teleconference and mailed
testimony opposing it. He encouraged voters to use the POM
system and to vote out those legislators who did not
represent them.
Number 479
DAVID ARNEGARD, A SOIL CONSERVATIONIST, testified via
teleconference from Delta Junction in opposition to SB 53.
He said the nation was not prospering spiritually or
emotionally as it should because of a lack of fear of the
Lord, especially among elected leaders. He said it would be
unwise to pass the bill in defiance of the Lord's word. He
cited scripture which he said indicated a fetus was a life.
Number 504
DEBRA JOSLIN testified via teleconference from Delta
Junction in opposition to SB 53. She said state funding of
abortion equalled state promotion of abortion, and that the
money could be better spent on adoption of unwanted babies.
Number 517
JULIE BRENNAN testified via teleconference from Delta
Junction in opposition to SB 53. She said there would be
fewer abortions if money was not made readily available for
it. She said taking life incurred a penalty, and that only
God could take life. She described in graphic detail how
abortions are performed; said that children are miraculous
gifts from God; and that abortionists, like other murders,
should be punished.
(Rep. Kott arrived at 3:50 p.m.)
CONNIE EMMERT testified via teleconference from Ketchikan in
opposition to SB 53. She said abortion has encouraged abuse
of women and abortion serves the interests of unhappy
boyfriends or husbands, of embarrassed parents, but not of
women. She said abortionists are interested in making a
profit from women, and cited a magazine article calling
abortion the nation's largest uncontrolled industry. She
compared abortion to Nazi Germany's policy of killing those
with hereditary diseases to save medical costs.
CHAIR TOOHEY reminded those testifying to limit their
testimony to two minutes to allow others the chance to
testify.
Number 579
HEATHER MUENCH testified via teleconference from Ketchikan
in support of SB 53. She said the bill gives all women the
same reproductive freedom. She said poor women are as
responsible for their own sexuality as wealthy women, but
every woman sometime during her life experiences a failure
in birth control or an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy.
She said abortion is a legitimate medical procedure, and the
state is obligated to offer medical care to poor women on
Medicare.
TAPE 93-48, SIDE B
Number 000
TERESA CREVIER testified via teleconference from Ketchikan
in opposition to SB 53. She described in graphic detail the
abortion procedure known as D&X. She described a self-help
book for women that teaches how to induce abortion, and how
to feign hysteria in order to qualify for abortions under
Medicaid.
Number 064
GLENDA TABOR testified via teleconference from Kotzebue in
opposition to SB 53. She objected to claims of poverty as
justification for state funding of abortion. She said the
state should deal with poor people before paying for
abortion. She encouraged state support of adoption, instead
of abortion. She said the Alaska Native culture valued
children.
Number 105
BONNIE JACK testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of SB 53. She said she was the new CHAIR of the
ALASKA COALITION FOR CHOICE, Anchorage, and listed other
affiliations with pro-choice, Republican organizations,
including the Alaska Women's Political Caucus, the National
Republicans for Choice, and the National Coalition of
Republicans for Choice. She said Alaska has funded
abortions for the poor since 1953, and that 59.12 percent of
Alaskans favored them in a 1982 election. She said various
polls showed that from 55 percent to 87 percent of Alaskans
support abortion choice, depending on the circumstances.
She said not funding abortions for poor women would punish
them and expose them to the dangers of illegal abortions.
Number 142
REP. KOTT asked Ms. Jack whether legislators should rely on
1982 surveys (election results), knowing that the population
of the state changes every three or four years.
MS. JACK responded that the 1982 figures were from an actual
vote, and she had cited polls showing support for such
funding from 1992, the same year Rep. Kott had been elected.
She cited other polls supporting state funding for abortion.
Number 165
ANNALEE MCCONNELL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS COORDINATOR FOR PLANNED
PARENTHOOD OF ALASKA, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of SB 53. She said it was
unconscionable for the Governor to wait until after the
legislature adjourned in 1992 before introducing his
regulations aimed at discouraging poor women from seeking
legal abortions. She noted lawsuits by Planned Parenthood
and other organizations to block implementation of the
regulations, and said a state affidavit in the case implied
they would bring no changes to state abortion funding
practices. She said that a position paper by the Department
of Health and Social Services and a fiscal note both assumed
a 40 percent drop in annual abortion rates. She said SB 53
would clear up the confusion. She said it was unfair for
the state to fund obstetrical care for birth, but not for
abortion.
Number 195
MYRNA MAYNARD testified via teleconference from Anchorage in
support of SB 53. She asked for a speedy "do pass" vote on
SB 53 as amended.
Number 205
SHERYL JACOBSON testified via teleconference from Anchorage
in support of SB 53.
Number 210
RANDALL BURNS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALASKA CIVIL
LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU), testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of SB 53. He said the ACLU opposes the
regulations as unconstitutional, and supported passage of SB
53.
Number 229
SHERRIE GOLL, LOBBYIST FOR THE ALASKA WOMEN'S LOBBY,
testified in Juneau in support of SB 53 as amended by the
Senate, for many of the reasons previously mentioned.
Number 238
JOHN KNUTSON testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to SB 53. He cited Proverbs 9:10, and Proverbs
6:16, saying that wisdom lay in the fear of the lord, and
that the Lord hates shedding innocent blood. He said SB 53
wanted all Alaskans to murder babies, and that abortion was
murder whether a person was poor or rich.
Number 253
EVELYN FRISK, OF THE INTERIOR ALASKA WOMEN'S POLITICAL
CAUCUS, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
support of SB 53. She said that all women should have
access to all reproductive health services, regardless of
their residence or income. State funding of abortions is an
important part of such access for poor women. Most Alaskans
support the availability and funding of abortions, she said.
Number 266
RUTH EWIG, SECRETARY OF THE FAIRBANKS CHAPTER OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS/CITIZENS FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, testified via teleconference from
Fairbanks in opposition to SB 53. She said she had attended
three of five teleconferences on SB 53 and opposed it. She
read passages from an anti-abortion book which criticized
legislators as "spineless bureaucrats," and she encouraged
legislators to oppose abortion. She said hard-poor pro-life
voters outnumber hard-core pro-choice voters, and said it
would be politically advantageous to support pro-life
positions.
Number 209
MEG GAYDOSIK, PUBLIC POLICY CHAIR FOR THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN-ALASKA (AAUW), testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks in support of SB 53. She said
AAUW believed a woman's most fundamental right was to make
informed reproductive decisions, unhindered by her economic
status. She said the U.S. Supreme Court still holds that
the decision to abort is a private issue between a woman and
her physician. She said it was unacceptable for Alaska to
create a class of women without that right to privacy
because they did not have enough money. She said abortion
must be treated like any other medical treatment for the
poor, lest poor women attempt dangerous and inadequate self-
induced abortions.
Number 319
KRIS GROSE, OF THE INTERIOR ALASKA RIGHT TO LIFE, testified
via teleconference from Fairbanks in opposition to SB 53.
She said that the committee members represented both born
and unborn Alaskans. She said abortion was wrong. She said
the progress of SB 53 might cost some legislators re-
election. She read two quotes from a judge and a legal
decision opposing state funding of abortion. She said
abortion was not a women's issue, but a social engineering
effort.
Number 345
NANCY KUHN, OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN-FAIRBANKS,
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in support of
SB 53. She said SB 53 was crucial to protecting individual
women's rights in Alaska. She said decisions on pregnancy
belong to the women involved, not to the government, and
that limiting government payment discriminated against poor
women. Unwanted pregnancies can lead to lives of poverty
for women and children. She referred to the idea that all
babies not aborted could be adopted, and said no child
should be considered a commodity on the abortion futures
market, and that many children already spend unhappy lives
in institutions awaiting adoption. She said one man's
personal beliefs should not be forced on all residents.
Number 366
VIRGINIA PHILLIPS testified via teleconference from Sitka in
opposition to SB 53. She said the issue was state funding,
and observed that the state did limit other kinds of medical
treatment it afforded welfare recipients. If SB 53 passed,
she said, Alaska would become the abortion capital of the
nation, with women flocking to the state for free abortions
and benefits, placing the state at risk from lawsuits for
injuries during state-funded abortions. She said the state
was trapped in moral and financial quicksand.
Number 392
ALICE YOUNG, OF SITKA RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, testified via
teleconference from in opposition to SB 53. She said she
had worked for two years in a pregnancy aid office. She
said state funded abortion encouraged teen promiscuity by
removing pregnancy as an undesirable consequence of sex.
She encouraged young people to abstain from sex and to
protect themselves from AIDS, pregnancy, guilt, trauma, low
self-esteem, abortion trauma, emotional disorders, and
exploitation.
Number 418
TOM MCBRIDE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ANOTHER WAY, INC., A NON-
PROFIT DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, testified via
teleconference from Delta Junction in opposition to SB 53.
Number 423
KENNA DUBOIS testified via teleconference from Delta
Junction in opposition to SB 53. She said she opposed
abortion because it was the taking of a life, and she did
not want state funds to be used for the procedure. She said
no one had the right to take another's life.
Number 430
MARK MOLDENHAUER testified via teleconference from Kenai in
opposition to SB 53. He read a written statement, on file
in the committee room, saying just as the state would not
pay for cosmetic surgery for poor women, so it should not
pay for elective abortions.
Number 452
JENNY EAST-COLE testified via teleconference from Delta
Junction in opposition to SB 53. She said her heart said no
abortion is right, whether for a rich or poor woman. She
said every life was precious.
Number 461
ROSEANNE CURRAN, A HOUSEWIFE AND MOTHER, testified via
teleconference from Cordova in opposition to SB 53. She
said she had no doubt that life began at conception, and
that abortion ends that life. She said rich and poor women
alike carry such guilt, they regret abortion, and that some
turn to drugs, alcohol or suicide from guilt. She said
abortion has nearly ended the possibility of adoption. She
said something is wrong with society if it cannot afford to
let babies live.
CHAIR TOOHEY announced that, as people in Ketchikan had been
unable to testify via teleconference, the committee would
hear public testimony from that city early the following
week. In the meantime, she said she wanted to close SB 53
to public testimony unless there were more people desiring
to testify at that meeting.
Number 479
CHARLES HORAN testified via teleconference from Sitka in
opposition to SB 53. He said current regulations allowed
most abortions, and said it might be possible for pro-choice
and pro-life forces to find ground for compromise on the
bill. He said he did not believe most pro-choice
legislators were pro-abortion. He said SB 53 would promote
abortions by providing funding for abortions in many
circumstances.
Number 510
CAROLE EVANS, CHAIR OF THE INTERIOR ALASKA WOMEN'S CAUCUS,
testified in Juneau in support of SB 53. She said it was
inappropriate for the Governor to push his personal values
upon the entire state. She called the regulation change a
discriminatory act against poor, disenfranchised women that
would not save state money. She said she doubted the state
would single out other groups to deny them benefits, and
expressed satisfaction that SB 53 would make it possible to
do the right thing regarding women's rights.
Number 521
REP. KOTT asked Ms. Evans her opinion of what government's
role should be in abortion.
MS. EVANS answered that the government should not be
involved in women's right to choose.
Number 526
REP. KOTT agreed, and said it was an anomaly that people
oppose government involvement in abortion regulation, but
see nothing wrong with government funding of abortions.
MS. EVANS responded that Medicaid was for those who needed
it and that the regulations singled out one group of people
by denying them benefits. She said it was definitely a
women's discrimination issue.
Number 534
REP. BRICE commented, "While it might sound two-faced, on
the other hand, I think it's a complete abrogation of the
whole democratic ideals that we live under to have a single
old white man rewrite the regulations without any input by
the public on the debate, and I believe that it's being
dealt with properly here in the public, in true public
debate, through the legislature..." He said the regulations
pushed the bounds of legality, as pertains to the
Administrative Procedures Act.
Number 550
REP. OLBERG said, "I object to Representative Brice's
blatant attempt to get into Capitol Quotes."
Number 559
CHAIR TOOHEY announced that the committee would hear SB 53
again so that those in Ketchikan might testify so that the
committee might deal with the bill. She closed public
testimony on SB 53 and invited comment from the committee.
REP. KOTT referred to testimony about how the regulations
discriminated against a single group of people, that being
poor women. He reminded the members of the HESS Committee
that it had singled out welfare recipients and older
residents when it reduced benefits to those groups. He also
announced he had a series of amendments he wanted to offer
to SB 53.
TAPE 93-49, SIDE A
Number 000
REP. KOTT presented his first amendment, saying it would
have the effect of restoring SB 53 to its original form,
before it was amended in the Senate.
Number 015
REP. BRICE asked Rep. Kott for an explanation.
REP. BUNDE noted that it would be appropriate for the chair
to hear a motion to pass the amendment to allow for
discussion.
CHAIR TOOHEY called for objection to the amendment.
REP. BRICE objected.
Number 028
REP. KOTT said that the committee needed an original copy of
SB 53 in order to discuss his amendment. He said he would
offer the amendment the next time the committee considered
SB 53, at which time the committee would be able to compare
the original SB 53 with the amended version before the HESS
Committee.
Number 034
REP. VEZEY said he believed the committee did not need the
original SB 53 to consider Rep. Kott's amendment.
Number 050
CHAIR TOOHEY said she would be comfortable with taking up
the amendment at that time, as Rep. Vezey had suggested.
She asked if the committee was willing to consider SSSB 53,
identified as 8LS0343-K. She then called for a brief at-
ease, calling the meeting back to order a minute or two
later. She then directed Rep. Kott to explain his
amendment.
REP. KOTT said it was not easy to do so without the original
SB 53. But, he said, his amendment deleted some of the more
liberal aspects of the bill as amended, and having the
effect of returning the bill to its original form.
CHAIR TOOHEY noted that the committee members had just been
furnished with copies of the original version of SB 53.
REP. OLBERG asked Rep. Kott whether his amendment to CSSB 53
would restore the bill to its original version.
REP. KOTT answered yes, that was the intent of the
amendment.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked if there was a motion on the floor to
accept the amendment, and then noted two objections.
REP. G. DAVIS asked for time to read the amendments in more
detail, unless Rep. Kott wanted to explain in more detail.
CHAIR TOOHEY expressed agreement with Rep. G. Davis.
REP. KOTT said that, in light of the questions on his
amendment, he would offer the committee the opportunity for
full consideration of his amendment.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked Rep. Kott if he would present any other
amendments he intended to propose, so that committee members
would have time to consider them.
Number 104
REP. KOTT said that he had other amendments which were
contingent on the passage or his first amendment.
REP. BUNDE noted that there were more amendments not on the
first page Rep. Kott had presented.
CHAIR TOOHEY encouraged Rep. Kott to distribute copies of
all his intended amendments.
(Copies of Rep. Kott's amendments were distributed to the
committee and numbered 1-5.)
REP. KOTT began discussing the amendments, saying that if
the state were funding abortions, then it deserved some
right in controlling what went on in abortion clinics. One
amendment would ensure that the state would not be subject
to lawsuits for funding abortions. The second amendment
dealt with allocation of permanent fund money for abortion,
he said. If it failed, it would be followed by the third
amendment, which would allow Alaska residents to direct
portions of their permanent fund dividends (PFD) toward
paying for abortion services. He said it would provide an
opportunity for those people who might believe that state
revenues fell from the sky to put their own money where
their mouths are. He indicated his disinclination to be
directed as a politician by a 10-year-old vote on abortion
funding. He said he had performed polls which showed that,
while Alaskans supported state funding of abortion, they
opposed paying for such procedures themselves through a PFD
check-off.
Number 195
REP. B. DAVIS asked why the committee was discussing whether
abortions were right or wrong, or whether Medicaid should
pay for such procedures in Alaska, when the state already
paid for abortions for female state employees through their
medical benefits. She asked whether it was appropriate for
the state to pay for state employees' abortions, but not for
poor women on state welfare.
REP. KOTT stated, "Again, I don't have two faces here. I'm
going to wear the same face. And if you're going to, I
think, approach it from a perspective on one end of the
spectrum, you have to look at it from the other end of the
spectrum as well. I don't support using state monies for
state employees, but there's not much that we can do at this
point regarding that aspect because it's already built in
the contract. We can do something at the other end of the
spectrum and deal with the latter at a different time."
Number 217
CHAIR TOOHEY asked for other comments, and, hearing none,
ADJOURNED the meeting at 4:51 p.m., announcing that the
committee would take up SB 53 again, with amendments, at the
earliest convenience.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|