03/16/2010 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB284 | |
| HR14 | |
| HB328 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 328 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 284 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 16, 2010
3:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Co-Chair
Representative Wes Keller, Co-Chair
Representative Tammie Wilson, Vice Chair
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Lindsey Holmes
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 284
"An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social Services
to accept federal prescription drug benefits or to provide
comparable benefits for residents of the Alaska Pioneers' Home."
- MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 14
Urging the United States Congress to oppose federal health care
reform bills.
- MOVED CSHR 14(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 328
"An Act establishing a traumatic or acquired brain injury
program and registry within the Department of Health and Social
Services; and relating to medical assistance coverage for
traumatic or acquired brain injury services."
- MOVED CSHB 328(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
Presentation by Dr. Alex Cahana on Using HIT for Evidence-based
Medical Practices
- REMOVED FROM AGENDA
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 284
SHORT TITLE: PIONEERS HOME RX DRUG BENEFIT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) DAHLSTROM, GARA, HERRON
01/15/10 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/10
01/19/10 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/10 (H) HSS, STA
01/21/10 (H) SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED
01/21/10 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/10 (H) HSS, STA
03/09/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/09/10 (H) Heard & Held
03/09/10 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/11/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/11/10 (H) Heard & Held
03/11/10 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/16/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HR 14
SHORT TITLE: OPPOSE FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM BILLS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CHENAULT
02/17/10 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/17/10 (H) HSS
03/16/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 328
SHORT TITLE: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:PROGRAM/MEDICAID
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOHNSON
02/05/10 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/10 (H) HSS, FIN
03/16/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions, as the
prime sponsor of the bill.
DAVE THERIAULT, Staff
to Representative Les Gara
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during discussion of HB
284.
RIC DAVIDGE, President
Vietnam Veterans of America
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 284.
DAVE COTE, Director
Central Office
Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes
Department of Health and Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 284.
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CHENAULT
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HR 14, as the prime sponsor of
the resolution.
JEANNE OSTNES, Staff
to Representative Craig Johnson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 328 for the prime bill
sponsor, Representative Craig Johnson.
JESSI CHAPMAN
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about her therapy for traumatic
brain injury (TBI) and her support for HB 328.
PAT CHAPMAN
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 328.
BOYD MACFAIL, Legislative Affairs Coordinator
Alaska Bikers Advocating Training & Education (ABATE)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 328.
ROBERT LADA, Neurologist
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 328.
ELENA RATH, Board Member
Alaska Brain Injury Network
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 328.
KRISTIN ENGLISH, Chief Operating Officer
Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 328.
CHRISTIE ARTUSO, Director Of Neuro Science Services
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 328.
JILL HODGES, Executive Director
Alaska Brain Injury Network (ABIN)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 328 via a
recorded testimony.
JOANNE GIBBENS, Deputy Director
Central Office
Division of Senior and Disabilities Services
Department of Health and Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion of HB 328.
JON SHERWOOD, Medicaid Special Projects
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions during
discussion of HB 328.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:07:36 PM
CO-CHAIR BOB HERRON called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:07 p.m.
Representatives Herron, Keller, Seaton, and Cissna were present
at the call to order. Representatives Holmes, T. Wilson, and
Lynn arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 284-PIONEERS HOME RX DRUG BENEFIT
3:07:52 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would
be SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 284, "An Act requiring
the Department of Health and Social Services to accept federal
prescription drug benefits or to provide comparable benefits for
residents of the Alaska Pioneers' Home, including residents
eligible for discount or free benefits from the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service of
the United States Department of Health and Human Services."
3:08:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, explained
that HB 284 codified that the Alaska Pioneers' Home would ensure
that all prescription medicine benefits that residents were
entitled to from Indian Health Service (IHS) or Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) would be provided by the Pioneers' Home at
the same price.
3:11:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked if his military benefits would be
extended to him should he become a resident of the Pioneers'
Home.
3:11:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA replied that veterans with more than 51
percent disability were entitled to lifelong free prescription
medicine. He revealed that the communication between the VA and
the IHS with the Pioneer Home was not very good, and had
resulted in a loss of comparable prescription drug service for
the residents with benefits from VA and IHS.
3:13:33 PM
DAVE THERIAULT, Staff to Representative Les Gara, Alaska State
Legislature, in response to a discussion between Representatives
Lynn and Gara, said that there was not a problem for veterans as
long as they could self administer prescription drugs.
3:15:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA, in response to Co-Chair Keller, said that
the Pioneer Home policy was "to make it work." He reported that
the Pioneer Home would either accept the prescription drug
deliveries from the IHS and the VA, or would provide the
prescription drug to the beneficiaries at the same price.
3:16:54 PM
RIC DAVIDGE, President, Vietnam Veterans of America, reflected
that this was an excellent example of legislators working with
federal, state, and private organizations to solve emerging
problems. He shared his support of HB 284.
3:18:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if there were other problems with
prescription medical benefits that were not yet addressed.
3:19:26 PM
MR. DAVIDGE replied that there were other problems and he
expressed his hope that solutions could be coordinated without
legislation.
3:20:06 PM
DAVE COTE, Director, Central Office, Division of Alaska Pioneer
Homes, Department of Health and Social Services, testified that
the department was neutral on the bill, and there was a zero
fiscal note. He said that the Pioneers' Home was already
administering the prescription drugs in accordance with HB 284.
He pointed out that any overbilling to veterans had been
rectified.
3:21:04 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON asked if the legislation was necessary, or would
future staff also accept this decision.
3:21:30 PM
MR. COTE replied that the legislation was not necessary at this
time, but that he could not predict the future. He offered that
HB 284 would prevent any future re-occurrence of the problems.
3:22:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reflected on the necessity for additional
legislation. He noted that one of his "shirt-tail relatives"
was also a veteran involved in this prescription drug
distribution problem. He applauded the resolution of the
problem.
3:23:37 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER, in agreement with Representative Seaton,
reflected on the necessity of trust of the administrators and
his dislike for micro management. He stated his disapproval for
additional legislation.
3:24:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN expressed the necessity to address policy
prior to a need, so that there were guidelines "in a measured
way and not in the middle of some kind of a problem."
3:25:20 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON noted that Co-Chair Keller had worked on this
problem during the interim.
3:25:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report SSHB284 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, SSHB 284 was forwarded from
the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
HR 14-OPPOSE FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM BILLS
3:26:23 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 14, Urging the United States Congress to
oppose federal health care reform bills.
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CHENAULT, Alaska State Legislature, stated
that although he agreed that the current health care system did
not work for all citizens of the United States, he offered his
belief that the current national health care reform bill was
attempting to impose a "one size fits all" solution. He read
from the sponsor statement:
Also noted by the RGA was the fact that the health
care House Resolution 14 requests the Alaska
Congressional delegation to vote against current
health care reform bills and to develop health care
reform that is affordable and accessible to all legal
residents. It also requests the Governor to review the
constitutionality of the Nebraska Compromise that
guaranteed Nebraskans would receive a break to pay for
expanded access to Medicaid benefits. This exemption
was granted in order to obtain Senator Ben Nelson's
vote in order to get the 60 votes needed to send the
health care reform legislation to the Senate floor.
Vermont, Florida and Louisiana also received special
deals in order to get Senators' votes to reach the 60
vote threshold.
As noted in the letter from the Republican Governors
Association (RGA), "health care reform should be about
fixing our broken Medicaid and Medicare systems;
instead, the current health care bills entitle 15-20
million more people to Medicaid….the unfunded mandate
to states and territories is $25 billion."
Reform bills "impose a one-size fits all federally-
designed health insurance exchange." Alaska, as well
as the other states, needs the flexibility to design
and operate mechanisms to purchase insurance. Alaska
and the rest of the states will face increased health
care entitlement costs every year if this legislation
passes.
The proposed health care reform legislation is also
opposed by small businesses around the state and
country. NFIB/Alaska states "it fails to address
fundamental small business priorities. It does not
make health insurance more accessible or affordable to
small businesses….this legislation actually increases
the overall costs of doing business for small
businesses.
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT reflected on his surveys of other
institutions in Alaska.
3:30:32 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER stated that HR 14 was directed against the
current federal health care reform legislation. He assured that
the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee was
committed to looking at health care reform issues that would
provide quality health care for everyone.
3:31:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT agreed that it was necessary to have a
health care system which takes care of everyone. He opined that
the current federal health care bill was "over the top." He
asked what other concerns and effects it would create. He
referred to a synopsis of comments from an Institute of Social
Economic Research (ISER) study. [Included in the committee
packets.] He said that additional new insurance patients would
impact Medicare beneficiaries. He reflected that he had been
fortunate to have the opportunity for health insurance, and he
questioned the future availability and the future costs for
health insurance.
3:33:46 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER reflected on the current federal health care
legislation.
3:34:43 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON pointed to page 2, line 24 of HR 14, and asked
if the word deal should be plural.
[This was treated as conceptual Amendment 1 which read:
Page 2, line 24:
Replace "deal" with "deals"
There being no objection, conceptual Amendment 1 was passed.]
3:35:28 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER moved to report HR 14 [as amended] out of
committee with individual recommendations.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives T. Wilson, Lynn,
Herron, and Keller voted in favor of HR 14. Representatives
Holmes, Seaton, and Cissna voted against it. Therefore, CSHR 14
(HSS) was reported out of the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
HB 328-TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:PROGRAM/MEDICAID
3:37:04 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 328, "An Act establishing a traumatic or
acquired brain injury program and registry within the Department
of Health and Social Services; and relating to medical
assistance coverage for traumatic or acquired brain injury
services."
JEANNE OSTNES, Staff to Representative Craig Johnson, Alaska
State Legislature, read from the sponsor statement:
House Bill 328 establishes a traumatic or acquired
brain injury program and registry in the Department of
Health and Social Services. Alaska has no program
specifically to deal with brain injury and yet Alaska
has one of the highest rates in the nation. Annually,
there are 800 Alaskans hospitalized with a traumatic
brain injury each year resulting from falls, car
crashes, domestic violence, All Terrain Vehicle
crashes, and snowmachine crashes, among others. There
are an approximately equal number of Alaskans
suffering from acquired brain injuries resulting from
stroke, aneurism, or tumors.
Alaska urban and rural residents, including military
are being discharged to their homes with little
understanding of brain injury or access to in-state
rehabilitation, severely impacting their families.
Limited education about the injury, learning to cope
with a person who has changed, overwhelming stress
from insurance, bureaucracy, and financial burdens and
change in family roles may render families
dysfunctional.
With appropriate and available care, rehabilitation,
community and family support, even the individual who
is most severely injured can live at home, return to
school or work, or engage in meaningful and productive
lives.
Funding a Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury (T/ABI)
Program gives authority to the department to collect
data on the injured, positioning the state to access
Medicaid funds for T/ABI. Medicaid services for T/ABI
will be matched 50% by federal funds. The bill allows
for streamlining department services and activities
that are unique to T/ABI. This would better assist
families and individuals with T/ABI in knowing how to
access services and supports.
Early treatment may reduce future medical and social
costs. Without appropriate services, some individuals
with T/ABI may pose a threat to themselves or others.
Without assistance, individuals with TBI often end up
homeless, in jail or in nursing homes. Service
coordination, rehabilitation, and appropriate supports
can help to minimize these risks.
3:40:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked if there would be any costs for
the new registry.
MS. OSTNES directed attention to the fiscal note, which stated
that 60 percent of the cost was covered by Medicaid.
3:41:39 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON noted that there were still questions on the
fiscal note.
3:42:52 PM
JESSI CHAPMAN, speaking through a dyna box, related that she had
suffered a TBI in 2006 and was now a mute and a quadriplegic.
She said that after her accident she was not given much chance
for any recovery. She relayed that her grandmother brought her
home, and nursed her until she came out of her coma many months
later. At that point, she had to return to Seattle many times
for surgery and therapy, as neither was available in Alaska.
She noted that she was still classified as a child, so that a
waiver was available. She said that her age, and her
grandmother's strong advocacy for her, was the only reason that
the therapies became available. She indicated that her injuries
were neurological, and because of waivers, she was now able to
move her extremities and speak a little. She pointed out that
it was necessary to have a case manager, as you could not get
appointments without referrals. She pointed out that, if you
have no resources and limited cognitive capabilities, it was
extremely difficult to get any help. She shared that
neurological testing was not available in Alaska. She stated
her support for HB 328.
3:46:46 PM
PAT CHAPMAN (Jessi's grandmother) informed the committee that
she collected the data on brain injuries and other traumas and
that she worked in the emergency room. She stressed the
importance of getting services to people who had suffered TBI,
especially those who were not hospitalized, so that they could
return to being contributing members of the community.
3:48:23 PM
BOYD MACFAIL, Legislative Affairs Coordinator, said that ABATE
would support HB 328, but that there was some language to which
they were opposed on page 4, lines 7 - 8. He asked that "to the
prevention of traumatic or acquired brain injury and" be removed
from the bill. ABATE was concerned that this would become a
means for the legislature to impose mandatory helmet laws on
motorcyclists. He stated that ABATE was not opposed to the use
of helmets, and advised riders to wear helmets; however, ABATE
was opposed to the idea of mandatory helmet laws. He offered
his belief that the mandatory helmet laws would not prevent
brain injuries because of the impact to the brain upon sudden
contact. He stated support by ABATE for HB 328, if that section
was removed.
3:51:31 PM
ROBERT LADA, Neurologist, Providence Alaska Medical Center,
stated that a more coordinated effort for TBI patient care and
options was necessary. He reported that most TBI patients were
not hospitalized and received little follow up care. He pointed
out that, when injuries were not obvious, it resulted in an
inability to find treatment and therapy. He declared a need for
better initial evaluation for a greater success to recovery. He
stated the need for the collection of more data. He offered his
support for HB 328.
3:53:58 PM
ELENA RATH, Board Member, Alaska Brain Injury Network, explained
that the Alaska Brain Injury Network was a statewide group
working to help people find the necessary resources, and to help
set goals for the best brain injury practices in Alaska. She
shared her personal experiences with brain injuries. She
supported the increase of case managers and data collection in
HB 328.
3:55:33 PM
KRISTIN ENGLISH, Chief Operating Officer, Cook Inlet Tribal
Council (CITC), said that CITC supported HB 328 and the creation
of a traumatic brain injury program in Alaska. She cited that
TBI often resulted in long term disability and a loss of
socially appropriate behavior. She noted a strong correlation
between TBI and substance abuse. She pointed out that 46
percent of the patients at the residential treatment program
were reported with some sort of TBI. She said that this was
consistent with statewide records. She opined that HB 328 would
establish an information data base and a funding mechanism to
access federal funds.
3:58:34 PM
CHRISTIE ARTUSO, Director Of Neuro Science Services, Providence
Alaska Medical Center, reported that HB 328 would facilitate the
collaborative efforts of the Alaskan health providers to provide
services for TBI patients whose needs had been somewhat
neglected. She estimated that 10,000 people may have mild to
moderate brain injury not requiring hospitalization. She said
that the estimate for those requiring care this year was more
than 1,000 patients. She said that it was necessary for case
managers to coordinate care, community reentry, cognitive
therapy, and a supportive environment. She stated her support
for HB 328.
4:00:29 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:00 p.m. to 4:01 p.m.
4:01:42 PM
JILL HODGES, Executive Director, Alaska Brain Injury Network
(ABIN), said that HB 328 established a longitudinal registry
which establishes brain injury as an acute and chronic long term
condition. This would allow measurement of brain injuries over
time, and a determination of which services had helped each
individual. It would also establish a statewide traumatic brain
injury program, which would allow direct support for TBI
patients. She pointed out that this would immediately allow for
coordinated case management of 360 Alaskans, would contribute
federal funding, and would serve both urban and rural Alaskans.
She directed attention that case management would now be
delivered by non-profit, community providers. She noted the
increased workforce enhancement for coordinated care. She
established that TBI patients could recover for a meaningful
life, given the proper treatment and support. She stated that
"HB 328 is the mechanism to help families move forward with life
after brain injury."
4:07:24 PM
JOANNE GIBBENS, Deputy Director, Central Office, Division of
Senior and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and
Social Services, in response to Co-Chair Herron, said that the
administration's position on HB 328 was neutral. She relayed
that an upcoming amendment would address concerns that the
definition of case management meet the federal definition. She
reported that HB 328 allowed HHSS to bill for case management
services for individuals with TBI and Acquired TBI. She stated
that the fiscal note was a projection for the number of new
people that would be served, and the case management services
for those currently being served. She said that there was
currently a waiver service for about 100 TBI patients. She
pointed out that this was referred to as targeted case
management by Medicaid.
4:09:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked for an explanation to a waiver
service.
4:09:58 PM
MS. GIBBENS said that the federal government allowed states to
apply for services to populations that waive other federal
requirements. These waivers meet specific criteria for levels
of care and financial eligibility, and they enable specialized
populations to receive specialized services which are not
available to everyone on Medicaid. She gave an example of a
nursing facility level of care waiver.
4:11:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON directed attention to the fiscal note,
and asked if the physicians were paid.
MS. GIBBENS explained the funding, and pointed out that, in this
case, the department already had the existing staff.
4:12:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES, noting the increased Medicaid
projections, stated that the legislature was struggling with the
mandatory versus the optional Medicaid services. She proposed
that it might be necessary to ask Department of Health and
Social Services to prioritize any Medicaid budget cuts. She
questioned the accuracy of the fiscal note.
4:15:03 PM
MS. GIBBENS, in response to Representative Holmes, said that it
was difficult to know the costs in advance, but she believed
that existing resources would allow for the projected cost.
4:15:49 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER asked to clarify that the expanded Medicaid
costs would be split, with the federal government paying 60
percent. He asked if the projected cost division of 50 percent
from the federal government was because of the stimulus money.
4:16:20 PM
MS. GIBBENS agreed.
4:16:27 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER asked to clarify that the costs per capita on
the fiscal note were low because HB 328 only reflected the
increased cost for case management.
4:17:23 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER asked if this would lead to additional services
for TBI patients.
MS. GIBBENS replied that HB 328 focused on case management, and
did not add any additional services.
4:18:14 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER agreed with Representative Holmes that it would
become necessary to determine a level of future funding.
4:19:11 PM
MS. GIBBENS, in response to Representative T. Wilson, said that
DHSS had determined $250 for case management services to be the
per month per patient cost.
4:20:39 PM
MS. GIBBENS, in response to Representative T. Wilson, replied
that the $100 was per existing patient, as opposed to new
patients, who would need ongoing case management.
4:21:41 PM
MS. GIBBENS, in response to Representative T. Wilson, pointed to
the fund source section and explained that the 39 percent state
match was listed in the general fund. She explained that the
total amount was for the case management and that the difference
in the subsequent years was due to the different federal dollar
match.
4:23:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the state currently had Medicaid
case management for other diseases.
MS. GIBBENS offered her belief that targeted case management
existed for pregnant women, and for early infant learning.
4:24:19 PM
JON SHERWOOD, Medicaid Special Projects, Office of the
Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS),
added that targeted case management also included behavioral
health for severely emotionally disturbed children, substance
abuse, and severely chronically mentally ill. He offered to
supply the complete list of targeted case management.
4:24:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked whether autism and diabetes were
also included.
MR. SHERWOOD said that he was not aware of targeted case
management for these groups specifically, and he would report
whether either was included within another group.
4:25:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if being in statute guaranteed a
priority status during a budget reduction.
MR. SHERWOOD replied that the current statute for cost control
was discretionary in allowing DHSS to make reductions in
"amount, duration, and scope of services." He shared that there
was no longer a priority list of services. He noted that DHSS
had discretion to make reductions in amounts of service
available. He pointed out that if HB 328 was not in statute, it
might not become a service, but that it would not have a
priority.
4:27:23 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON commented that DHSS did not need all the
registries.
4:27:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES, referring to the two new DHSS staff,
asked what their responsibilities would be if the bill did not
pass.
MS. GIBBENS replied that both had other care coordination
responsibilities.
4:28:41 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON closed public testimony.
4:28:50 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 26-
LS1355\E.3, Mischel, 3/2/10, which read:
Page 2, line 25, through page 3, line 6:
Delete all material.
Insert "services furnished to assist individuals
who reside in a community setting or who are
transitioning to a community setting to gain access to
needed medical, social, educational, and other
available services;"
4:29:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected for discussion.
4:29:20 PM
MS. OSTNES explained that Amendment 1 allowed the case
management definition to conform to federal language for federal
funding purposes.
4:29:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON removed his objection.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
4:30:12 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER moved to adopt Amendment 2, labeled 26-
LS1355\E.l, Mischel, 3/1/10, which read:
Page 4, lines 7 - 8:
Delete "and laws pertaining to the prevention of
traumatic or acquired brain injury and"
Insert "pertaining"
CO-CHAIR HERRON objected for discussion.
CO-CHAIR KELLER offered his belief that there was no value in
the deleted passage.
4:31:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON agreed that prevention was important, and
asked if the evaluation of the laws was in the purview of the
Alaska Brain Injury Network (ABIN).
4:32:09 PM
MS. OSTNES acknowledged that the ABIN did research for other
data regarding the TBI population. She did not know if ABIN
reviewed the laws. She suggested a possible conceptual
amendment to only delete "traumatic."
4:32:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reflected that his desire was to ensure
that the law and other mechanisms for prevention were not
neglected. He removed his objection.
4:33:46 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON asked for the sponsor's position.
4:33:53 PM
MS. OSTNES responded that Representative Johnson agreed with
Amendment 2.
4:34:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES expressed agreement with Representative
Seaton, and stated that she did not read the proposed passage
for deletion in Amendment 2 as a law for the passage of helmets.
She suggested a review of the current laws for a broader
encouragement of prevention.
4:34:50 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER offered his belief that this statement was not
an appropriate part of the program that was being established.
He declared that the amendment was not "a statement against
evaluating laws pertaining to prevention."
4:35:22 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Cissna, Holmes, T.
Wilson, Lynn, Seaton, and Keller voted in favor of Amendment 2.
Representative Herron voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 2
was adopted by a vote of 6-1.
4:36:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON expressed concern with the fiscal note.
She declared that this was "opening up another door that
eventually we may have to tell people we can't afford to do any
longer." She expressed appreciation for the bill with a concern
for its maintenance.
4:37:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reminded the DHSS about its commitment to
respond about the priority of retention for services.
4:38:12 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER moved to report HB 328, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 328 (HSS) was
reported from the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
4:38:42 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER expressed his desire to move HB 260 at the next
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting.
4:39:00 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON noted that HB 188 would also be on the schedule.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked about any changes to HB 260.
4:39:59 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER replied that he was satisfied with the bill, and
he noted that he was not well prepared during his prior
presentation.
4:40:45 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HR14_packet.pdf |
HHSS 3/16/2010 3:00:00 PM |
|
| HB328_packet.pdf |
HHSS 3/16/2010 3:00:00 PM |
HB 328 |