Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/04/1994 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 4,1994
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. Irene Nicholia
Rep. Tom Brice
MEMBERS ABSENT
Rep. Bettye Davis
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Sen. Jim Duncan
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HB 414: "An Act creating the Alaska Health Commission;
relating to the delivery, quality, access, and
financing of health care; relating to review and
approval of rates and charges of health insurers;
relating to certain civil actions against health
care providers and health insurers; repealing
Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 72.1: and providing
for an effective date."
HEARD AND HELD
WITNESS REGISTER
DONALD NOVOTNEY, Representative
Alaska Nurses Association
1220 Timberline Ct.
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 780-4300
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
NANCY USERA, Commissioner
Department of Administration
P.O.. Box 110200
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0200
Phone: (907) 465-2200
Position Statement: Answered questions on HB 414
MARIE DARLIN, President
National Association of Retired Federal Employees of Alaska
P.O. Box 21283
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Phone: (907) 586-3637
Position Statement: Testified in opposition to HB 414
JOHN SHAFFER, Representative
State Legislative Committee
American Association of Retired Persons
303 Kimsham
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: (907) 747-8167
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
(spoke via teleconference)
MARLENE LEAK
771 8th Ave.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 452-1015
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
(spoke via teleconference)
KATHLEEN DOVE
P.O. Box 74048
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
Phone: (907) 458-8000
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 414
(spoke via teleconference)
JACKIE PFLAUM, Legislative Chair
Alaska Nurses Association
237 E. 3rd Ave., #3
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2523
Phone: (907) 274-0827
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
(spoke via teleconference)
DENNY DEGROSS, Representative
Alaska Public Health Association and
Alaska Health Care Coalition
2348 Leander Cir.
Anchorage, Alaska 99515
Phone: (907) 344-8824
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
(spoke via teleconference)
BRUCE MOORE, Insurance Broker
3261 Amber Bay Loop
Anchorage, Alaska 99515
Phone: (907) 279-9952
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
DAVID FRAZIER, Insurance Agent
2636 Shepherdia Dr.
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 274-2869
Position Statement: Testified in support of HB 414
(spoke via teleconference)
BONNIE NELSON, Representative
Alaska Public Interest Research Group
20615 White Birch Rd.
Chugiak, Alaska 99567
Phone: (907) 688-3017
Position Statement: Testified on HB 414
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 414
SHORT TITLE: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE
SPONSOR(S): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/28/94 2182 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/28/94 2182 (H) HES, JUDICIARY, FINANCE
01/28/94 2182 (H) -2 FISCAL NOTES (GOV, DCED)
1/28/94
01/28/94 2183 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
02/15/94 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/15/94 (H) MINUTE(HES)
03/02/94 (H) MINUTE(HES)
03/04/94 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 94-37, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR BUNDE called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m., noted
members present and announced the calendar. He brought HB
414 to the table. He then indicated that there would be
teleconference testimony.
HB 414 - COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE
Number 062
DONALD NOVOTNEY, Representative, Alaska Nurses Association,
testified in Juneau on HB 414. He read a statement from
Jackie Pflaum, Legislative Chair for the Alaska Nurses
Association (AaNa). Ms. Pflaum felt that more than ample
data had already been collected and should be used to move
forward with a specific plan for health care reform. The
statement conveyed the support of the AaNa for universal
health care coverage for all Alaskans. The association
supports a single payer approach that would ensure a basic
set of benefits for every citizen of Alaska.
MR. NOVOTNEY said the association further believes that HB
414 should be amended to require the Alaska Health
Commission to develop a plan of universal coverage for all
Alaskans within the same time line outlined in the bill.
The commission should have to present a preferred plan and
alternative plans which guarantees universal health care
under a single payer system. The plan should detail the
benefits package of coverage, costs, financing mechanisms,
cost containment measures, and other features which the
commission deems necessary.
MR. NOVOTNEY said the AaNa would support a strong consumer
presence on the Alaska Health Commission. The AaNa strongly
urged the legislature to consider a larger number of
commissioners which would more broadly represent the
concerns of the health care consumer.
MR. NOVOTNEY stated concerns were expressed that there is
not a plan to provide for a strong public health structure
within HB 414. The AaNa strongly recommended that the
provisions of HB 332, which outline the need for a strong
public health component in health care reform, be
incorporated into HB 414. It was further noted that
prevention strategies would address the goals of cost
containment and improved health outcomes.
MR. NOVOTNEY said the statement indicated the AaNa's support
of Section 7 regarding review and approval rates and rating
factors. The health insurance industry should receive the
same public scrutiny as other insurance providers in the
state. They believe that public review will aid in
forthcoming deliberations.
CHAIR BUNDE asked if the AaNa supports the concept of the
state setting doctors' fees.
MR. NOVOTNEY deferred to Jackie Pflaum on teleconference
from Anchorage.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that if indeed the setting of doctors'
fees was supported, then also nurses' salaries should be
set, too.
MR. NOVOTNEY said he would defer to Ms. Pflaum for that
answer also.
CHAIR BUNDE asked Mr. Novotney to speak to the cost of $1
million for a health care commission.
MR. NOVOTNEY stated on behalf of himself that duplication of
services needs to be eliminated at the level of
administration and mid-level management. He indicated that
he collects data for the Alaska Hospital Trauma Registry.
He explained that up to 20% of trauma patients; i.e.,
gunshot wounds, car accidents, are self-pay patients. He
said those individuals are not insured and one day it may be
that hospitals will not take care of those people.
Number 329
CHAIR BUNDE asserted that those trauma patients are insured,
but they are not paying the premiums.
MR. NOVOTNEY agreed.
REP. VEZEY asked if the AaNa was advocating that competition
be eliminated in health care services.
MR. NOVOTNEY maintained that there is only one hospital in
Juneau. He stated that competition is good and bad. He
felt competition would not affect health care negatively.
Number 371
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that Commissioner Usera had joined the
meeting and asked her if she would like to comment.
Number 373
COMMISSIONER USERA, Department of Administration (DOA),
testified in Juneau on HB 414. She said that she would
oblige any questions.
Number 383
CHAIR BUNDE asked if her interpretation of limiting fees
would mean that the state would set the price of an
operation or the cost of a nurse's salary.
COMMISSIONER USERA said the bill does not include rate
setting. She said there would be provisions in the form of
an amendment that would require doctors to disclose their
rates upon request by the consumer, which would allow for a
consumer oriented market. She stated that the amendment was
still in the draft phase. She further indicated that if
under the new amendment a doctor fails to provide a request
for rates, the consumer could file a complaint and the
provider would be fined.
CHAIR BUNDE stated that the consensus of the medical
community is that most doctors have a fee schedule already
available or are not in opposition to the concept.
COMMISSIONER USERA said the medical community feels that it
is good business. She further stated that the
administration feels that steps should now be taken in that
direction as opposed to implementing a huge regulatory
structure.
Number 463
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that there were people participating
via teleconference from Sitka, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. He
asked Marie Darlin to testify.
Number 465
MARIE DARLIN, President, National Association of Retired
Federal Employees of Alaska (NARFE/AK), testified in Juneau
in opposition to HB 414. She stated that the association is
concerned that Alaska has a state health plan in effect by
January 1, 1998, when the federal employee health benefits
program is due to end. She said, at that time, federal
retirees and employees are to be folded into the state
plans. She said the organization has over 1,000 members
from a total of 5,300 civilian federal annuitants and their
surviving spouses.
MS. DARLIN said that in a recent survey of those annuitants,
two of the recommendations to the legislature were to
provide long term care and health care facilities planning
to meet current and future needs. They also recommended
that provisions be made for more community-based home health
services to allow retirees to remain in their homes as long
as possible. She said the survey shows that 65% of the
retirees are married, equalling 8745 persons. She indicated
that 4968 persons are under Medicare as first payer. She
said that 424 persons, including their spouses, are over 80
years of age and need or will need community-based services
or long term care. She said that a report of this
information was provided to each legislator at the beginning
of the last session. She urged the committee to review it.
MS. DARLIN further stated that a comprehensive health care
plan for Alaska will help keep retirees in the state. She
said it would result in monthly annuities of over $ 7
million, and further indicated that as of January 1994 the
amount was $97 million per year for just the civilian
federal annuitants. She said it is worth keeping them in
the state.
MS. DARLIN said there are also 5000 military retirees plus
the Veterans Administration and the Indian Health Service,
all of which have a federal health plan that will be folded
into the state plans as well. She stated that all three
programs will require their clientele to choose between
their current plan or a state plan. She said the deadlines
of January 1, 1996, for continued work and studies seems to
be a postponing even further of any specific action on work
that has already been done over the past five years.
MS. DARLIN further explained that Section 44.19.622,
concerning the commission, lists qualifications in the
title, yet she saw nothing that listed the qualifications
for the three members of the commission. She said that item
E does refer to statutes, but when checked, it turned out to
be a listing of conflicts of interests. She felt that would
indicate that anyone with ties to the medical, hospital or
provider community could not be a member. She was unsure of
the intent. She further stated that there is no indication
that consumers would be represented on the commission. Page
4, line 24, is confusing, she commented. She asked if it
meant the commission will be providing and charging for
services, and indicated the phrase "...services by the
commission." She asked what those services would be. She
stated page 7, line 28, is defined similarly in another
statute which does not speak to many issues, such as long
term care, community-based services, medications, and mental
health concerns.
MS. DARLIN indicated that page 8, line 11, addresses
statutes for issues of mandatory arbitration, which she felt
would be better addressed in regulation. She indicated that
the NARFE/AK does not endorse the bill as it is written, and
the association supports HB 451.
Number 609
CHAIR BUNDE asked that Ms. Darlin submit those questions in
writing to Commissioner Usera.
COMMISSIONER USERA stated that the DOA would take those
questions and concerns into consideration.
REP. NICHOLIA said she would like a copy of Commissioner
Usera's response to those questions sent to her office.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that Senator Jim Duncan joined the
meeting.
Number 636
JOHN SHAFFER, Representative, State Legislative Committee,
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), testified
via teleconference on HB 414. He stated that their concern
is not only for senior citizens, but is also for children,
adults, those who are insured and those who are not. He
said the State Legislative Committee endorses the concept of
health care reform contained in HB 451 and SB 284. He
suggested that HB 414 be amended significantly before being
passed out of committee. He explained that much of the
ground work for health care reform has been completed and
submitted to the legislature in the final report of the
Health Resources and Excise Tax Task Force. He said that
the groundwork has been done and indicated that a plan
should be put into effect before the federal government's
plan.
CHAIR BUNDE spoke for the committee and said that they
wanted to have a plan in place before a federal program is
mandated.
Number 700
MARLENE LEAK, Concerned Citizen, testified via
teleconference on HB 414. She stated that HB 414 should be
two separate bills. She felt that the issue of arbitration
is a judicial function and should be addressed within one
bill, and the rest of the issues in HB 414 are executive
issues that should be addressed in another bill.
MS. LEAK further stated that a chart from Time Magazine, the
July 24, 1993, edition indicates that in 1987 the cost of
inflation of medical care suddenly "went through the roof"
up until 1990 where the rate dropped considerably. She also
said that in 1986 the federal government passed COBRA which
mandates that all emergency rooms treat all people without
questioning the ability to pay and that nonprofit hospitals
admit and treat the patients. She said the result put a
great burden on medical care in the country in the form of
an unfunded mandate. However, she said that the graph shows
that the medical communities "did absorb the hit" and with
the responsiveness inherent in a free market was able to
find ways to maintain control. Ms. Leak said the government
has never been able to cut costs and improve services at the
same time.
MS. LEAK explained that there was portability of insurance
at one time, and individuals did not have to worry about
inclusion of preexisting conditions prior to the Congress
passing ERISA (Employee Retirement and Income Security Act),
which gave large tax breaks to businesses to set up risk
pools. Prior to that time, in regards to individual policy,
the entire nation served as an actuarial risk pool and there
was no worry that people would be excluded from coverage, or
that preexisting conditions would be excluded. She said
after ERISA the nation became divided into "little risk
pools," which resulted in the loss of portability of
insurance. She suggested that Congress should make major
modifications to ERISA, which would pass on to individuals
the same type of tax breaks that was afforded to businesses.
She also suggested eliminating the possibility of businesses
providing risk pools. She felt the suggestions would
address the issues of portability and exclusions of
preexisting conditions.
MS. LEAK felt that inherent problems within these policies
were being solved with laws that created even more problems
and that the direction was going further away from a
responsive market system that addresses the needs of the
individual. She felt that the policies to date responded
only to special interests and not to individual need.
Number 869
KATHLEEN DOVE, Concerned Citizen, testified via
teleconference in support of HB 414. She stated that
prevention is a very important part of any health care plan.
She asserted that it is much easier to raise a healthy child
than it is to repair a broken adult. She said it is her
hope that the commission formed under HB 414 would include
prevention as a major part of their purview.
CHAIR BUNDE asked if Ms. Dove was familiar with the Oregon
plan that prioritizes the coverage of different illnesses.
MS. DOVE said she is not familiar with the plan in depth.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that he was handing the gavel over to
Rep. Toohey who arrived at 3:35 p.m. He also indicated that
Rep. Kott arrived at 3:37 p.m. Rep. Toohey presided over
the remainder of the meeting.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked for testimony from Anchorage.
Number 932
JACKIE PFLAUM, Legislative Chair, Alaska Nurses Association,
testified via teleconference on HB 414. She stated that she
was reading testimony into record on behalf of Daryl Young.
She said it was his hope that the committee go farther than
what HB 414 allows for in its present form. The letter
indicated that Mr. Young is a family nurse practitioner and
the manager of the University of Alaska Anchorage Student
Health Center. The Student Health Center is currently
staffed by two family nurse practitioners, a mental health
nurse practitioner, and two office support personnel. An
overage of 60 students are provided with health care
services daily.
MS. PFLAUM stated the vast majority of those students do not
have health insurance or financial resources to secure
necessary health care services, such as lab work, diagnostic
procedures or prescription drugs. The letter indicated that
students that have not had health care for five to ten years
frequently come to the Health Center and tell him they have
been unable to afford health care. Women who have not had a
pap test for ten years often come in. The test can detect
cancer of the cervix, which is treatable before becoming a
life threatening disease. An advanced cervical or uterine
cancer will cost a tremendous amount of money to maintain a
reasonable quality of life for the victim of a detectable
and treatable disease. Students often let their illness go
until they must go to the emergency room.
MS. PFLAUM said there is a health care crisis that must be
resolved by a collaborative effort.
Number 011
CHAIR BUNDE said there are some people who confuse the issue
of those who don't have health care and those who don't want
health care.
MS. PFLAUM said she did not believe that was the intent of
Mr. Young's letter.
Number 027
DENNY DEGROSS, Representative, Alaska Public Health
Association and the Alaska Health Care Coalition, testified
on HB 414. He stated that he generally favors the bill but
has several large reservations. He said the most
distressing issue is that there is nothing in the bill that
addresses public health and prevention. He felt the
government should have the tools they need to make the most
logical decisions about resources and decisions about the
medical care system. He argued that the bill does not go
far and expressed his concern about the tremendous amount of
work that has already been put into HB 451. He said that he
was concerned that perhaps a tremendous amount of work would
be disregarded in order to address HB 414.
Number 110
CHAIR TOOHEY said, "there obviously has to be one vehicle to
take a bill on. Whether we use this bill or another bill,
we have actually five bills out there that are all dealing
with health care... So I think it's... a little premature...
your anxiety." She asked Mr. DeGross to follow the process.
Number 115
MR. DEGROSS said that he hoped there would be an effort to
bring elements of other legislation, including the
compromise bill, into HB 414.
CHAIR TOOHEY handed out Amendment #1 and asked for
discussion before adopting it. She said the amendment does
deal with public health.
Number 139
BRUCE MOORE, Insurance Broker, testified via teleconference
on HB 414. He stated that the bill continues the process of
debate on the subject of health care. He referred to Rep.
Bunde's comment that everybody has health insurance, but
it's just a matter of who pays for it. He clarified and
said that everybody has health care, but people pay for it
through cost shifting. He said there are three different
categories of uninsured people in Alaska. The first
category is for those who are uninsurable. He related to
the committee his encounter with a gentleman who has
Parkinson's disease. The second area is for those who are
truly unable to afford the premiums for health insurance.
CHAIR TOOHEY indicated that Parkinson's disease is usually a
disease of the elderly and asked how old the gentleman with
Parkinson's disease was.
MR. MOORE said he was 54 years old. He continued on with
his testimony. He said there has been a general feeling
that the purpose of insurance is to provide the amount of
insurance in such a way as guarantee that the insured person
will use it.
TAPE 94-37, SIDE B
Number 000
MR. MOORE suggested that an individual could buy a $100
deductible plan that would respond to the most minute claims
that they have during the year, instead of buying
catastrophic coverage. He said that the difference in cost
could be up to 70% of premium. He said the third area of
the uninsured is what he calls "irresponsible individuals."
He stated that the Division of Insurance did a study that
indicated there were people who were unwilling to pay just
$25.00 per month for health insurance. He said those types
of people do not hold a job on a regular basis and they do
not want to pay a premium because they believe they will
never get sick. He felt that there should be some type of
law to enforce personal responsibility, and he felt it was
unreasonable for those people to walk out of the hospital
and never be responsible for their bills.
Number 061
CHAIR TOOHEY interjected that she has a son who would rather
put money into a kayak than into health insurance, and
sympathized with Mr. Moore's concern.
MR. MOORE indicated that in regards to those who want
insurance but cannot afford it, the state of Florida has
introduced legislation that would allow people that are
within a certain poverty level to buy into the state
Medicaid system on a sliding scale basis. He felt that
approach would solve a big problem in the area of health
care.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked Mr. Moore to send her a copy of that
information.
Number 095
CHAIR BUNDE asked Mr. Moore if he would endorse collecting
health premiums from the permanent fund dividend.
MR. MOORE said he felt the process of insurance should be
voluntary. He said the government should have no business
in enforcing a person to buy insurance.
CHAIR BUNDE said that statement contradicts Mr. Moore's
previous statement that people should have to pay their
hospital bills after they leave.
MR. MOORE said he would endorse the ability to allow doctors
and hospital to have a first lien on the permanent fund to
pay for the bill that the person has already incurred. He
did not endorse the ability of the state to use the
permanent fund to buy insurance.
CHAIR TOOHEY interjected and said the state does not allow
people to drive without proof of insurance. She then said
it was not her intention to pass HB 414 out of committee and
the committee would work on it further in the coming weeks.
Number 164
DAVID FRAZIER, Insurance Agent, testified via teleconference
in support of HB 414. He stated that he felt there were
areas that needed to be worked on in the bill, but for the
most part he felt favorable to HB 414. He expressed concern
in the area of arbitration and felt perhaps it should be
addressed in a separate bill. He said he felt more
comfortable with HB 414 because it does have a fiscal note
attached to it, whereas HB 451 does not have a fiscal note.
He further stated that he attended a number of meetings
where the compromise bill (HB 451) was worked out. He felt
that about six people monopolized that process, therefore he
felt it did not represent the majority of individuals in
Alaska. He said there should have been more consumer input.
Mr. Frazier suggested that a definition has not been
discerned between health care and health insurance. He felt
that issue should be addressed before moving on.
Number 296
BONNIE NELSON, Representative, Alaska Public Interest
Research Group, testified via teleconference on HB 414. She
stated that the Alaska Public Interest Research Group has
taken a position in support of SB 284 conditional to nine
principles that the group has submitted to Senate HESS. She
said she would send a copy of the principles to Chair
Toohey. She further indicated that she had given copies of
her proposed amendments to Rep. Kott and asked him if she
had also given him a copy of the principles.
REP. KOTT said yes.
MS. NELSON asked if the committee had a copy of the
principles.
CHAIR TOOHEY said no.
MS. NELSON stated that the group feels that HB 414 does not
go far enough. She said the recommendations from the task
force are good and suggested that Governor Hickel consider
clarifying and adding more to HB 414. She said she
appreciated the testimony of Commissioner Usera on HB 414,
but said she cannot find much of what Commissioner Usera
said actually in the bill.
MS. NELSON indicated that the first principle would allow
for coverage of all Alaskans, and explained that health care
is a right for all Alaskans. She suggested perhaps a
coverage better than Medicaid or better than Indian Health
Services could be available for all Alaskans. She felt that
there needed to be clarification of what universal coverage
should be and that it should have a time line.
MS. NELSON said that principle #2 would address the concerns
of preexisting conditions and that any preexisting condition
restrictions would result in discrimination, inequality, and
would prevent portability. She further stated that the
third principle addresses consumer involvement and consumer
control and that they both are of vital interest to health
policy reform.
MS. NELSON stated that no one with a conflict of interest
should be appointed to the commission. She said no health
care providers or anyone employed by a health insurance
company should be on the commission.
Number 450
CHAIR BUNDE asked who would be on the board if there could
be no one on it that is knowledgeable about health care.
MS. NELSON said that she contacted the United States Public
Interest Research Group and they feel that the principle is
consistent with President Clinton's position on alliances
that provides for only a consumer-based commission or board.
She also said that legal advisors told her the principle is
not unconstitutional. She explained that a retired doctor
could be on the commission.
CHAIR TOOHEY agreed with her and said that there are no
electricians on the Alaska Public Utilities (APUC) board.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated that there are doctors on the State
Medical Board.
CHAIR TOOHEY asked Commissioner Usera to respond.
Number 506
COMMISSIONER USERA stated that the state receives $26
million in premium insurance taxes (premium tax) annually
which goes into the general fund. She said HB 414 would
convert approximately $1 million of those funds into program
receipts to fund the commission. She maintained that all
who are participating in the process of finding a health
care plan are vehemently agreeing that there be access to
affordable quality health care with universal coverage.
COMMISSIONER USERA explained that the important issue that
is missing is what can the state afford to do now. She said
the reason why Governor Hickel proposed the legislation is
because all other proposed bills have been "all or nothing"
legislation. She said none have provided for the interim.
She said the DOA has come forward with an approach that will
move forward, that is affordable within the context of the
budget, that doesn't foreclose other options, and does cost
things out. She further explained that the commission would
not study health care, it would figure out how to implement
it. She maintained that it would be the commission's role
to develop management plans on how to implement the
comprehensive proposals that are before the legislature.
Commissioner Usera felt that in the future reform measures
will create cost savings, but the budget will still be a
major concern in the next two years.
Number 633
CHAIR BUNDE thanked Commissioner Usera for acknowledging
that the funds would come out of the general fund and that
there is no "new money out there."
REP. G. DAVIS said that Commissioner Usera's testimony
refers to the implementation of a plan and he then indicated
that she said whatever the plan is. He said that he hoped
the DOA would look at all the existing and proposed plans
that are out there and combine them into an economically
feasible health care plan.
COMMISSIONER USERA said the DOA allowed for much flexibility
within HB 414 because the policies affecting health care
will be so dynamic and will change very rapidly. She
explained that two or three major plans will "float to the
top" in the next few months. She indicated that all the
proposals of the past few months have been heard, amended,
and priced out. She said until the benefit packages are as
proposed in the various bills, nothing can be priced out.
Management analysis for the choice of plans is laid out in
HB 414. She said the commission members, by majority vote,
can select which plans they want to evaluate. She specified
that HB 451 would likely surface in the next few months as
the premier single payer proposal. She further stated that
when all plans have been considered by the DOA, HB 414 would
then enable the department to inform the legislature of the
options in plans, the cost of each plan, and how each one
would be implemented. She also indicated that HB 414 would
"start making immediate niche changes, enhancements to the
current system as we know it today."
Number 774
REP. G. DAVIS jokingly asked why Commissioner Usera did not
say that in the first place.
CHAIR TOOHEY agreed and said, "it is my intent that we do
something of this nature." She further stated that a lot of
work and commitment would be needed by everybody. She
thanked all who testified and urged them to continue to
participate in the solution.
Seeing no further business before the committee, CHAIR
TOOHEY ADJOURNED the meeting at 4:15 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|