02/05/2008 03:00 PM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB324 | |
| HB325 | |
| Traumatic Brain Injury and Military Veterans | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 324 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 325 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 5, 2008
3:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bob Roses, Vice Chair
Representative Wes Keller
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 324
"An Act relating to the Alaska housing trust fund and to the
Alaska Council on the Homeless; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED CSHB 324(HES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 325
"An Act relating to the teachers' and nurses' housing loan
program in the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; and providing
for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 325 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PRESENTATION: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND MILITARY VETERANS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 324
SHORT TITLE: LOW-INCOME HOUSING; HOMELESSNESS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/17/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/17/08 (H) HES, FIN
01/29/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
01/29/08 (H) Heard & Held
01/29/08 (H) MINUTE(HES)
02/05/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 325
SHORT TITLE: TEACHERS/HEALTH CARE PROFESS HOUSING LOAN
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/17/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/17/08 (H) HES, FIN
02/05/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
BRYAN BUTCHER, Director
Governmental Affairs & Public Relations
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced the Committee Substitute for HB
324 and HB 325, on behalf of the governor.
JEFF JESSEE, Chief Executive Officer
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA)
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
324.
VIVIAN HAMILTON, Communications Manager
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on
HB 324.
MARK ROMICK, Director
Planning & Program
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
324.
PAT LUBY, Advocacy Director
AARP in Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 324.
RICHARD WARRINGTON, Ambassador
Brain Injury Network
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 324.
PAUL KAPANSKY, Director
Mortgage Operations
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
Department of Revenue
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question during the hearing on
HB 325.
NANCY DAVIS, Registered Nurse
Coordinator for Nurse Recruitment and Retention
Division of Public Health
Department of Health & Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 325.
JILL HODGES, Executive Director
Alaska Brain Injury Network
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the presentation on Traumatic Brain
Injury and Military Veterans.
STEPHANIE TANNER
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the presentation by the
Alaska Brain Injury Network.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the House Health, Education and Social
Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:04:46 PM.
Representatives Wilson, Seaton, Gardner, and Fairclough were
present at the call to order. Representative Cissna arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
HB 324-LOW-INCOME HOUSING; HOMELESSNESS
3:05:09 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 324, "An Act relating to the Alaska housing trust
fund and to the Alaska Council on the Homeless; and providing
for an effective date."
3:06:39 PM
BRYAN BUTCHER, Director, Governmental Affairs & Public Relations
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department of
Revenue, informed the committee that there were four changes
made to HB 324.
3:07:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt CSHB 324, Version 25-
GH2006\C, Cook, 2/5/08, as the working document. There being no
objection, Version C was before the committee.
3:07:52 PM
MR. BUTCHER stated that the first change was on page 3, line 1
through 13, where language was added to allow designees to be
appointed for each member of the advisory council. The second
change was on page 3, line 21 and line 22, where language was
changed to allow staggered three year terms for advisory council
members. Next, on page 5, line 2 through 23, the addition of
the definition of homelessness was added. He explained that
this definition comports with that used by the U. S. Department
of [Housing] and Urban Development (HUD) and the U. S.
Department of Education. The final change was also on page 5,
line 26 through 31, where language was added to describe the
term tenures of the six public members of the advisory council.
3:09:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked how HUD makes the area designations
of median adjusted income and how large the areas are. In
addition, he asked whether there are anomalies that occur within
the economic boundaries or geographic areas that are designated.
3:10:28 PM
MR. BUTCHER deferred to the representative from the Alaska
Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA).
3:10:37 PM
JEFF JESSEE, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority (AMHTA), Department of Revenue, asked Representative
Seaton to repeat his question.
3:11:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reiterated his question.
3:11:17 PM
MR. JESSEE said that he did not know.
3:11:53 PM
VIVIAN HAMILTON, Communications Manager, Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority, informed the committee that to determine
economic or geographic areas, HUD divides the state into regions
and cities, depending on population.
3:12:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON further asked whether there may be
anomalous situations where there will be certain areas with
variable incomes. He expressed concern that median income
variables in a specific area will affect homeless people; for
example, those who are found in a region of low median income
that would set the 80 percent of median income so low that
people in homelessness may not qualify.
3:15:29 PM
MARK ROMICK, Director, Planning & Program, Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation, Department of Revenue, stated that the
median incomes are provided on a boroughwide basis and are based
on census data from the approximately 30 boroughs in the state.
Therefore, there should not be anomalies anywhere in the state,
even for census areas of low income, as this bill targets people
living well below the preference levels.
3:16:48 PM
MR. JESSEE acknowledged the validity of Representative Seaton's
concern. He stated that an advisor from the Alaska Council on
the Homeless sits on the AHFC board and that if a significant
number of homeless individuals were not being served, the
housing trust would become aware of the situation. Mr. Jessee
assured the committee that the bill was written to address
homelessness and the housing trust will request an adjustment of
the income limits, if they become a barrier.
3:18:22 PM
CHAIR WILSON advised that a problem with the word "shall" is
best addressed now.
3:18:41 PM
MR. JESSEE stated that he preferred to maintain the current
language, in order to avoid the possibility that the funds may
be expended for those whose incomes are above the 80 percent
income level limit.
3:19:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON clarified that his intent was not to
insert "may" but to ensure that there are no sections of the
state that the housing trust could not assist.
3:20:23 PM
MR. BUTCHER offered to research Representative Seaton's
question.
3:20:42 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony.
3:21:16 PM
PAT LUBY, Advocacy Director, AARP in Alaska, expressed his
organization's strong support of HB 324. He stated that many
homeless people do not fit the stereotype and listed many causes
for homelessness. In addition, AARP is concerned about the many
children who are suffering from poor health and uncertain
education due to homelessness. Mr. Luby opined that HB 324 will
help homeless citizens.
3:23:11 PM
RICHARD WARRINGTON, Ambassador, Brain Injury Network, informed
the committee that he is a survivor of a traumatic brain injury
(TBI) that he suffered 30 years ago. He has lived in Alaska for
22 years and asked the committee to ensure that funding to
support TBI survivors is not cut. He related the experience of
a TBI survivor in Anchorage who is homeless.
3:25:31 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony.
3:25:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked whether the language on page 3,
line 19, should read "housing development, financing, or
consumers of affordable housing."
3:26:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER offered her interpretation of the
language such that, of the four members, one or more has
experience in the three areas of housing development, financing,
and consumers of affordable housing.
3:26:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report HB 324, Version 25-
GH2006\C, Cook, 2/5/08, as amended, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
Hearing no objection, CSHB 324(HES) was reported out of the
House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
HB 325-TEACHERS/HEALTH CARE PROFESS HOUSING LOAN
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 325, "An Act relating to the teachers' and
nurses' housing loan program in the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation; and providing for an effective date."
3:28:03 PM
BRYAN BUTCHER, Director, Governmental Affairs & Public
Relations, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department
of Revenue, stated that HB 325 would provide zero down payment
loans to qualified teachers and health care professionals. This
program originated five years ago as an incentive program to
retain teachers and nurses in communities in Alaska by
eliminating the required down payment to buy a home. The
program has been operating for four and one-half years and three
hundred and seventy-three loans have been approved; there has
only been one foreclosure. Mr. Butcher explained that this very
successful program is approaching its sunset date and needs to
be extended. In fact, the governor's office asked that the
program be expanded to include health care professionals and to
eliminate the sunset clause.
3:30:49 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked for a breakdown between teachers and nurses.
3:30:56 PM
MR. BUTCHER said that the attachment contains a list of loans by
community; the teacher's loans are indicated by an "e" and the
nurse's loans are indicated by a "h." He added that the loans
add no additional risk to AHFC or to the state.
3:31:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked who is included in "health care
professionals" besides nurses and doctors.
MR. BUTCHER described a different program for teachers and
health care professionals in rural areas and that works with
school districts and communities to build housing. He stated
that the definition will be the same for both programs.
3:33:04 PM
PAUL KAPANSKY, Director, Mortgage Operations, Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC),Department of Revenue, remarked:
As Bryan was referring to, a, our grant program, we
have health professional housing, is defined as
housing for any person who is licensed or board
certified by the State of Alaska, in a health
profession, holds a state certification in a health
occupation, or is an administrator of a hospital or
clinic, or employed as an aide, attendant, assistant,
counselor, or technician in a health field. Occupancy
of the household is limited to health professionals
and family members.
3:34:10 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether hospital administrators should
qualify for the loans. She suggested limiting the qualification
to areas of shortages.
3:34:48 PM
MR. BUTCHER stated that income limitations were considered;
however, AHFC loans are not attractive to borrowers who can
qualify for standard loan programs. Therefore, the benefit of
this program is mainly to young borrowers and first-time
homeowners who can not afford a down payment.
3:36:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER expressed her concern about the expansion
of the eligibility definition. She explained that aides and
attendants may not have an investment in their health care
career in the way that a nurse or dental hygienist would, and
suggested the need for ongoing participation in the health care
field.
3:37:12 PM
MR. BUTCHER acknowledged that determining this information would
be too labor intensive for AHFC's mortgage department. He
reminded the committee that this program only helps borrowers
buy a home with regular interest rates on the loan.
3:37:58 PM
CHAIR WILSON shared her experience of working with health care
aides, and supported their eligibility.
3:38:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked whether the bill was before the
committee.
3:38:54 PM
CHAIR WILSON stated that HB 325 was before the committee.
3:39:09 PM
NANCY DAVIS, Registered Nurse, Coordinator for Nurse Recruitment
and Retention, Division of Public Health, Department of Health &
Social Services, stated her support for HB 325, paraphrasing
from a prepared statement, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
I want to share with you how the AHFC Teacher and
Nurses' Housing Loan Program has been helpful in our
recruitment and retention efforts.
Public Health Nursing has used the AHFC Teacher and
Nurses' Housing Loan Program as a recruitment
incentive since its inception (2003). AHFC information
is routinely provided to all nurses inquiring about
employment opportunities-with brief descriptions of
the Teachers and Nurses Housing Loan Program as well
as two attractive Rural resident loan options. In our
current revisions to our state Web site, we will offer
a "Helpful Link" to the AHFC Housing loan information
In my long career of recruiting and hiring nurses in
Alaska it has always been important to feature
incentives for nurses to come to our State to meet the
patient care needs and the employer needs that exceed
our own in-state nursing graduates. Incentive for
nurses to live and work in rural areas is a real
bonus.
Now in the recruiting environment of today, with the
smaller number of applicants available, the global and
local nursing shortages, and the highly competitive
job market for all kinds of health workers, any and
all incentives become important for attracting a
workforce to meet our health care needs.
Additionally, with the large student loan debt of
today's workforce, attractive and safe mortgage
options are even more important for establishing in an
Alaska community.
I may never know whether the nurse uses those loan
programs, but I do know that the reaction to our state
offering specific housing incentives to nurses makes a
positive impression on the applicant. It says that
Alaska values those professionals and is eager to
assist them in becoming Alaskans. A Nurse who chooses
to purchase a home in one of our communities makes a
real commitment to that community as well. JOKE: A
mortgage becomes a great retention strategy.
If other health professionals can be well served by
this housing loan option, and AHFC is able to include
additional groups of recipients, it may well help with
the recruitment of other health professionals to
Alaska.
3:43:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked Ms. Davis for the top reasons that
nurses leave the profession.
3:43:43 PM
MS. DAVIS said that nurses are aging out of the work force. In
addition, nursing is still predominantly a female occupation,
but women today have many career choices from higher paying
professions with good working conditions.
3:45:17 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony.
3:45:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH moved to report HB 325 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 325 was reported out
of the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing
Committee.
^TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND MILITARY VETERANS
CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be
a presentation on Traumatic Brain Injury and Military Veterans.
3:46:11 PM
JILL HODGES, Executive Director, Alaska Brain Injury Network,
directed the committee's attention to the materials provided by
the Alaska Brain Injury Network (ABIN). She stated that the
military has brought to light the issue of traumatic brain
injury (TBI). The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 provides
grant funds to the DHSS that enables screening of TBIs through
mental health centers in the state. This screening has
discovered the true cost and impact of these injuries throughout
the state, and has shown that victims need the support of the
state, community providers, the military, and individuals. Ms.
Hodges shared that her organization, along with the DHSS and the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA), is coordinating
meetings with Elmendorf Air Force Base, the VA, the National
Guard, the Wounded Warriors Program, and the Vocational
Rehabilitation program in order to discuss the impacts of TBI
survivors on the state.
3:52:06 PM
MS. HODGES continued to explain that the military estimated that
about 400 soldiers returned to Alaska with TBI in the month of
December. Elmendorf Air Force Base prepared to meet those
returning veterans by establishing a clinic on base to identify
and treat mild TBIs.
3:53:05 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether there has been enough time for
screening.
3:53:14 PM
MS. HODGES noted that returning soldiers go on leave when they
first return, thus the impact will be seen 90 days post return.
The National Guard has implemented a "grand rounds" program that
interviews members 90 days after the member's return and refers
them to available sources of support, if necessary. Ms. Hodges
informed the committee that the mission of the ABIN is to
educate, plan, coordinate, and advocate for a comprehensive
service delivery system of care for TBI survivors. She pointed
out that TBIs occur in Alaska at 30 percent above the national
average. Ms. Hodges concluded by asking for the committee's
support of TBI awareness, through SCR 17, and of future funding,
through AMHTA.
3:56:42 PM
STEPHANIE TANNER provided a brief history of her husband's
mental decline after returning from Iraq and the pressure that
the family has endured. The burden of her husband's therapy,
medication, and disability is overwhelming. She emphasized that
her husband and others desperately need personal case management
assistance.
3:59:26 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether Ms. Tanner's husband could walk.
MS. TANNER said that he needs assistance to walk, as his depth
perception does not function.
4:00:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked whether there are support groups.
MS. TANNER stated that the ARMY Warrior Transition Unit is
attempting to create a family readiness group, but she has not
found a support group in the private sector.
MS. HODGES added that there are some civilian head injury
support groups around the state.
4:01:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER pointed out the importance of having a
diagnosis and family support. She stated her surprise that a
service related injury would not garner more support from the
military.
MS. TANNER explained that the treatment is very expensive and
the military's first concern is for the soldiers still on active
duty, not for the families of veterans.
4:03:39 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked about the Tanner's housing situation.
MS. TANNER said that they are moving to the base.
4:03:57 PM
CHAIR WILSON suggested that she begin a support group on base.
MS. TANNER said that her situation is highly demanding on her
time.
4:04:35 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked whether she has respite care.
MS. TANNER shared that this is the first three-day break she has
had in over a year.
4:04:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA expressed the importance of connecting
with others.
4:06:24 PM
MS. HODGES related that the recovery period from a TBI is
approximately two years. After that, the victim must learn to
live with his or her disability. Acute rehabilitation funding
is important to attain the level of recovery possible. She
offered an anecdotal story of a person who now resides in a
community for TBI survivors. Functioning in society, for many
of these disabled individuals, is not possible. However, a
certain level of ability can be attained when provided with a
structured environment.
4:09:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER observed that the presentation is focused
on military TBI survivors. However, she pointed out that many
of those incarcerated are suffering from some level of
undiagnosed TBI.
MS. HODGES acknowledged that some states utilize the federal
dollars from the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 to screen
for and treat TBI in corrections facilities.
4:12:09 PM
CHAIR WILSON shared that Alaska has more returning veterans than
any other state. She stated her hope that the federal
government will also be aware of this and provide more for
veteran's families in the future.
4:14:20 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee meeting
was adjourned at 4:14:30 PM.
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