Legislature(2021 - 2022)DAVIS 106
02/15/2022 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| HB308 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 308 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 15, 2022
3:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Liz Snyder, Co-Chair
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky, Co-Chair
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Ken McCarty
Representative Christopher Kurka
Representative Mike Prax
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 308
"An Act relating to dementia awareness."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 308
SHORT TITLE: DEMENTIA AWARENESS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STUTES
02/07/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/22 (H) HSS, FIN
02/15/22 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
FATE PUTNAM, Staff
Representative Louise Stutes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 308 on behalf of
Representative Stutes, prime sponsor.
JORDAN LEWIS, PhD, Professor of Medical Education
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 308.
PAM KELLEY, Executive Director
Alzheimer's Disease Resource Agency of Alaska Inc.;
Chair
Alaska Dementia Action Collaborative
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 308.
JOSH LONN, Chair
Community Board
Alzheimer's Association Alaska Chapter
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered statistics related to Alzheimer's
disease during the hearing on HB 308.
NONA SAFRA, Member
Alaska Commission on Aging
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
308.
KAROL FINK, Chief
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to questions during the hearing
on HB 308.
PAMELA SAMASH, on behalf of self
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 308.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:03:52 PM
CO-CHAIR LIZ SNYDER called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
Representatives Kurka, McCarty, Zulkosky, and Snyder were
present at the call to order. Representatives Fields,
Spohnholz, and Prax arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 308-DEMENTIA AWARENESS
3:04:39 PM
CO-CHAIR SNYDER announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 308, "An Act relating to dementia awareness."
3:06:30 PM
FATE PUTNAM, Staff, Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 308 on behalf of Representative
Stutes, prime sponsor. He said the proposed legislation would
adopt a dementia awareness program within the Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS). The program would be
designed to qualify for funding from the Building Our Largest
Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act (BOLD). Designed in
2018, he said, the Act is a federal program to raise national
awareness of dementia, as early detection would reduce the risk
of cognitive decline. He said that the Act directs the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide funds to
public health departments for the development of educational
programs on dementia, and HB 308 would help obtain these federal
funds. The funds would also support caregivers to improve
management of dementia-related diseases. He said to be eligible
for the federal funds DHSS would need to submit the application
to the CDC for a core competency award. The application would
need to identify how the plan would educate the public. He
noted that the core competency awards range from $350,000 to
$500,000, annually.
3:09:14 PM
MR. PUTNAM explained that HB 308 would establish a dementia
awareness program tasked with the following basic functions:
create educational materials for healthcare professionals to aid
in the recognition of the symptoms of dementia; create a
statewide list of dementia service providers in Alaska; consult
with national organizations concerning the most appropriate
materials needed for a public-awareness campaign; coordinate
program implementation and activities for public education;
campaign statewide to publicize the scope of the issue and
promote early detection through screening; educate the public
about the risk of developing dementia and ways to avoid the
onset; and increase the awareness of wellness visits to
patients.
MR. PUTNAM voiced the opinion that the proposed legislation is
needed because Alaska has "a large and growing" senior
population, with approximately 12,500 Alaskans suffering from
Alzheimer's and other related diseases. He stated that it is
the fifth leading cause of death for people over the age of 65.
Mr. Putnam emphasized the importance of getting "in front of
this issue before it becomes an insurmountable problem." He
stated that the proposed legislation would create a centralized
agency tasked with protecting public health by organizing the
best programs available for all Alaskans. He noted that
currently there are many groups in the private sector whose work
addresses Alzheimer's disease and other dementia only after they
have been diagnosed. He pointed out that unfortunately once
these diseases have been diagnosed, the treatment to reduce the
impacts is very limited. He said HB 308 is designed "to get out
in front of the diagnosis with early detection" and look for
ways to delay cognitive decline so people can lead healthier
lives. He noted that DHSS has submitted a fiscal note
reflecting the cost of running the program, and the bill
sponsor's office is working with the administration to find ways
to reduce the cost. He acknowledged that there is a need for
experts to work on the program. He said the sponsor encourages
DHSS to seek funds from BOLD to pay for the public education
program.
3:14:02 PM
JORDAN LEWIS, PhD, Professor of Medical Education, University of
Alaska Anchorage, testified in support of HB 308 and shared that
his research focuses on dementia. He stated that the stigma
surrounding dementia prevents families from seeking medical
care, and this results in distress and burnout. He stated that
increasing education about dementia will decrease stigma,
normalize conversations with healthcare providers, and help with
the understanding that dementia is not a normal part of the
aging process. He advised that receiving an early diagnosis
could relieve anxiety over symptoms and help providers work with
patients concerning treatment options. An early diagnosis would
also give families the opportunity to maximize time together,
find resources and support programs, and save on medical and
long-term care costs for families and state government. He
reported that the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and
dementia would collectively save the country approximately $7
trillion in health and long-term care costs. He encouraged
support for HB 308.
3:15:56 PM
PAM KELLEY, Executive Director, Alzheimer's Disease Resource
Agency of Alaska Inc. and Chair, Alaska Dementia Action
Collaborative, stated that, once symptoms have begun,
individuals with dementia and family members come to the
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, and at this point it is too late
for prevention. She stated that over the last 38 years the
agency has helped thousands of Alaskans to slow the rate of
cognitive decline and adapt to future changes. She described
the current public awareness efforts as "on the retail level,"
while HB 308 would be a "wholesale campaign." She questioned,
"Don't we owe it to ourselves to try?"
3:18:18 PM
JOSH LONN, Chair, Community Board, Alzheimer's Association
Alaska Chapter, stated that Alaska can soon expect to be
impacted by dementia at a higher rate per capita than any other
state in the country. He reported that the population of
Alaskans with Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately
8,500 of Alaska's 12,500 dementia cases, and it is expected to
impact 3,000 more Alaskans by 2025. He noted that there are 10
types of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most
common. He surmised that the overall dementia population will
surpass 17,000 Alaskans. He stated that a dementia public-
awareness campaign would be instrumental in preparing Alaska for
the approaching "dementia tsunami." He talked about the
benefits of early detection and commented on caregiver burnout
in Alaska's workforce. He stated that the disease's progression
leads to public safety issues, behavioral changes, wandering,
and the inability to perform basic tasks. He urged the
committee to support HB 308 in recognition of families who have
been impacted by dementia and wished they had known the signs
sooner.
3:21:00 PM
NONA SAFRA, Member, Alaska Commission on Aging, stated that the
Alaska Commission on Aging supports HB 308. She said the
workforce and state budget will be affected by the number of
people who will be diagnosed with dementia in the next decade.
She advised that the state needs a better approach in preparing
for this public health crisis, and HB 308 would mitigate the
onset of dementia by educating the public. She shared that she
has a brain injury, which increases the odds of getting
dementia, and she is a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's
disease. She stated, "It's too late for him, but it's not too
late for others." She called HB 308 a "game changer."
3:23:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY referred to the language on page 2, line
2 and line 26 of the proposed legislation. Regarding a list of
state providers, he asked whether providers would need to have
certain qualifications to be acknowledged.
MR. PUTNAM answered that most people who provide services for
dementia would be part of this program. In response to a
follow-up question, he stated that he is not aware of past
requirements or accreditations for this program.
3:25:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KURKA drew attention to the fiscal note, which
reflected over $16,000 for the fiscal year 2023 (FY 23) and over
$750,000 for FY 24. He observed that a new staff person would
be added, and the services category would total $521,000. He
asked whether these expenses would be covered by the state.
MR. PUTNAM answered that the sponsor's office is working with
DHSS concerning the amount of the fiscal note. He reiterated
that BOLD would provide funding between $350,000 and $500,000
annually. In order to fund the program, he said, DHSS would
need to hire a subject-matter expert, as materials need to be
produced early for program development. He deferred to the
department to offer further explanation.
REPRESENTATIVE KURKA noted that no additional staff would be
hired in the first year; however, there would be a 50-percent
increase in funding for services in FY 24. He questioned the
reason for the funding increase.
MR. PUTNAM pointed to the back of the fiscal note where it is
explained that 90 days after the passage of HB 308 the
department would be recruiting well into FY 23; therefore, the
department would need the funds only for a portion of the year.
However, beginning in FY 24, DHSS will need an Alzheimer's
disease specialist.
3:28:10 PM
CO-CHAIR SNYDER requested that DHSS speak to the fiscal note,
comparing this program with similar-sized programs.
3:29:03 PM
KAROL FINK, Chief, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and
Social Services, explained that most of the fiscal note is built
by looking at the budgets in place for other programs; however,
she said an economy of scale does not exist because the work of
each program differs. In response to a follow-up question, she
confirmed that DHSS took into consideration the tobacco
prevention program, nutrition program, and marijuana education
program. She explained that each program would have different
funding streams and sources.
3:31:08 PM
CO-CHAIR SNYDER opened public testimony on HB 308.
3:31:35 PM
PAMELA SAMASH, on behalf of self, noted that she is a member of
the Alaska Commission on Aging, which supports HB 308. She
stated that she is testifying on her own behalf in support of
the proposed legislation. She emphasized that because the
senior population of Alaska is growing substantially there is a
need for the awareness of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and
the proposed legislation could help people become more prepared.
She said Interior Alaska needs more housing and skilled nurses
to handle this population and the chronic health issues that
come with dementia. She highlighted the importance of learning
prevention measures, such as diet and exercise, which could
drastically reduce the number of individuals who will have to
face dementia. She urged the committee to support HB 308 and
Alaska's seniors.
3:33:13 PM
CO-CHAIR SNYDER, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 308.
CO-CHAIR SNYDER announced that HB 308 was held over.
3:34:48 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 308, Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Ver. A.PDF |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Alzheimer's Association 10 Warning Signs.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Behavioral Change Info for Medical Providers.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Letters of Support.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Texas State Flyer for Medical Providers.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Alz Association First Responders Tip Sheet.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308- Oppose.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308, Fiscal Note.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| EO 121, Legislative Legal Department Memo, 2.14.22.pdf |
HHSS 2/15/2022 3:00:00 PM |
EO 121 Memo |