Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106

03/28/2023 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

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Audio Topic
03:04:59 PM Start
03:06:01 PM Overview(s): Growing the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline from School to Career
04:17:27 PM HB57
04:27:51 PM HB112
04:44:42 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ Overview: Growing the Healthcare Workforce TELECONFERENCED
Pipeline from School to Career
+= HB 57 EMERGENCY MED. SVCS: REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 57 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
+= HB 112 PROFESSION OF PHARMACY TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 112 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony --
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
      HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                     
                         March 28, 2023                                                                                         
                           3:04 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Mike Prax, Chair                                                                                                 
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair                                                                                     
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
Representative Jesse Sumner                                                                                                     
Representative Zack Fields                                                                                                      
Representative Genevieve Mina                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative CJ McCormick                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
OVERVIEW(S):  GROWING  THE  HEALTHCARE   WORKFORCE  PIPELINE  FROM                                                              
SCHOOL TO CAREER                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 57                                                                                                               
"An  Act  relating  to  review  organizations  and  permitting  an                                                              
emergency  medical   services  provider  to  establish   a  review                                                              
organization; and relating to patient records."                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HB 57 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 112                                                                                                              
"An  Act  relating to  the  Board  of Pharmacy;  relating  to  the                                                              
practice  of  pharmacy;   relating  to  pharmacies;   relating  to                                                              
prescription  drug manufacturers;  relating  to prescriptions  for                                                              
epinephrine; relating  to the  administration of epinephrine;  and                                                              
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HB 112 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB  57                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: EMERGENCY MED. SVCS: REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS                                                                          
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WRIGHT                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
02/03/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/03/23       (H)       L&C, HSS                                                                                               
02/17/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
02/17/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
02/17/23       (H)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
03/03/23       (H)       L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/03/23       (H)       Moved HB 57 Out of Committee                                                                           
03/03/23       (H)       MINUTE(L&C)                                                                                            
03/06/23       (H)       L&C RPT 4DP 1NR                                                                                        
03/06/23       (H)       DP: SADDLER, PRAX, RUFFRIDGE, SUMNER                                                                   
03/06/23       (H)       NR: CARRICK                                                                                            
03/21/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
03/21/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/21/23       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
03/28/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 112                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: PROFESSION OF PHARMACY                                                                                             
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RUFFRIDGE                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
03/13/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/13/23       (H)       HSS, L&C                                                                                               
03/23/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
03/23/23       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/23/23       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
03/28/23       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MISSY FRAZE, Director                                                                                                           
Career and Technical Education                                                                                                  
King Tech Highschool                                                                                                            
Anchorage School District                                                                                                       
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Gave a PowerPoint presentation, titled                                                                   
"Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning" during the overview on                                                                 
growing the health care workforce.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
ANDREA ANDRASCHKO, Assistant Professor                                                                                          
Business Administration, Health Occupations, and Health Sciences                                                                
Alaska Pacific University                                                                                                       
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented during the overview on growing                                                                 
the health care workforce.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
TRISH ZUGG, Administrator                                                                                                       
Career and Technical Education Program                                                                                          
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District                                                                                       
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented during the overview on growing                                                                 
the health care workforce.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
GLORIA BURNETT, Director                                                                                                        
Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce                                                                             
Nome, Alaska                                                                                                                    
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented during the overview on growing                                                                 
the health care workforce.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STANLEY WRIGHT                                                                                                   
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As the prime sponsor, presented HB 57.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
PI GIORDAN-RANDAL, Staff                                                                                                        
Representative Stanley Wright                                                                                                   
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  On behalf of Representative Wright, prime                                                                
sponsor, presented the sectional analysis for HB 57.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MARK JOHNSON, representing self                                                                                                 
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 57.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
ASHLEY SCHABER, Pharm D, MBA, BCPS, NCPS                                                                                        
Board of Pharmacy                                                                                                               
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing                                                                   
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development                                                                     
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions during the hearing on HB
112.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
DUANE WOOD, representing self                                                                                                   
Prince of Wales Island, Alaska                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 112.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
AMITY WINBORG, representing self                                                                                                
Chugiak, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 112.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, RPh, Co-Chair                                                                                                
Legislative Committee                                                                                                           
Alaska Pharmacist Association                                                                                                   
Ketchikan, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 112.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT WATTS, representing self                                                                                                  
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 112.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:04:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MIKE  PRAX called  the  House  Health and  Social  Services                                                            
Standing    Committee   meeting    to   order    at   3:04    p.m.                                                              
Representatives  Ruffridge, Sumner,  Fields, Mina,  and Prax  were                                                              
present at the  call to order.  Representative  Saddler arrived as                                                              
the meeting was in progress.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
^OVERVIEW(S):  Growing  the  Healthcare  Workforce  Pipeline  from                                                              
School to Career                                                                                                                
  OVERVIEW(S): Growing the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline from                                                               
                        School to Career                                                                                    
                                                                                                                              
3:06:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PRAX  announced that  the first order  of business  would be                                                              
the overview  on growing  the healthcare  workforce pipeline  from                                                              
school to career.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:07:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MISSY FRAZE,  Career and Technical  Education Director,  King Tech                                                              
Highschool,  Anchorage School  District (ASD),  gave a  PowerPoint                                                              
presentation,  titled  "Apprenticeship  and  Work-Based  Learning"                                                              
[hardcopy included  in the  committee packet].   She reviewed  the                                                              
career  pathways  offered  by ASD,  as  seen  on  slide 2.    This                                                              
includes  health  care  career   options  provided  in  five  high                                                              
schools  and  the  options for  industry  certification  and  dual                                                              
enrollment.   On  slide 3,  she pointed  to a  future program  for                                                              
pharmacy  technicians;  however, she  added  that  for this  there                                                              
would  need to  be  regulation changes.    She  discussed the  age                                                              
requirement that companies  have for some jobs in  the health care                                                              
sector,  and in order  to expand  the health  care workforce,  she                                                              
suggested  the possibility  of  companies  changing this  internal                                                              
policy.   She pointed out  that youth who  begin a  career earlier                                                              
in life in Alaska are more likely to stay in Alaska.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:12:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  FRAZE discussed  the  need for  a "state  vision"  concerning                                                              
work-based  learning and  workforce  development.   She  discussed                                                              
the challenges  to this, as  seen on slide  4.  This  includes the                                                              
lack of  a coordinated  cross-agency vision,  the lack of  data to                                                              
measure effective  work-based  learning, and  the need for  policy                                                              
changes.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. FRAZE  moved to slide 5,  which addressed how  the legislature                                                              
could help.   The  slide listed:  work with  governor to  create a                                                              
statewide coalition;  use examples  from proven agencies  like the                                                              
National Governors  Association or Jobs  for the Future  to create                                                              
a   system;  increase   cross-agency   participation  to   support                                                              
business  and   education;  and   fund  education  and   workforce                                                              
development.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:18:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA   questioned  the  top  three   careers  that                                                              
students are interested in pursuing through apprenticeships.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  FRAZE answered  that there  are  22 students  in King  Tech's                                                              
pharmacy  technician program,  and  according to  the teacher,  30                                                              
percent of  the students are  interested in  having a career  as a                                                              
pharmacy technician.   She pointed  out that, while the  field may                                                              
not be  a long-term career  choice, it is  an entry into  a career                                                              
pathway.   She said  students have  been asked about  internships,                                                              
but students are not interested because there would be no pay.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE    MINA    offered     her    understanding    that                                                              
apprenticeships in  the health care industry would  focus on entry                                                              
level positions.   She pointed out  the nurse shortages  and asked                                                              
how the school-based apprenticeships would work with this need.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. FRAZE explained  that attaining a certified  nursing assistant                                                              
(CNA) certification  would be  required to  get a nursing  degree;                                                              
therefore,  having students  in  this program  would help  address                                                              
the  problem.   She  said  that any  of  the career  pathways  and                                                              
apprenticeships  could provide the  certification, and  this would                                                              
allow  the  student  to  work while  studying.    In  response  to                                                              
whether health care  jobs would hire minors, she  stated that this                                                              
would be  community dependent.   She relayed that care  centers in                                                              
Valdez and  Kodiak are  looking to hire  CNAs, while  in Anchorage                                                              
food service  attendants  are needed.   She said  that these  jobs                                                              
would  be the  starting point  for  employing minors.   She  noted                                                              
that there are  not many health care employers  who are interested                                                              
in hiring minors.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:24:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER  questioned the  jobs  that would  require                                                              
entities to change internal policies.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS.  FRAZE  answered  that  this   would  include  CNAs  and  room                                                              
attendants.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER,  in  relation  to  the lack  of  data  to                                                              
measure  progress, questioned  the data  used to  set up the  five                                                              
vocational  programs  for  high   school  students  in  ASD.    He                                                              
questioned  how   it  was   decided  that  pharmacy   technicians,                                                              
emergency  medical   technicians  (EMTs),  CNAs,   and  biomedical                                                              
innovations would the appropriate initial programs.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MS.  FRAZE  responded that  general  workforce  data was  used  to                                                              
determine  demand.   She  said that  pharmacy  technician jobs  in                                                              
Anchorage are  in demand.   In response  to a follow  up question,                                                              
she explained  that  the data was  pulled from  the Department  of                                                              
Labor, as  well as  data from the  Anchorage Economic  Development                                                              
Corporation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:27:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR   PRAX,  referencing   the  need   to  change   regulations,                                                              
questioned whether there has been any action on this.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS.  FRAZE  answered that  the  changes  needed are  specific  for                                                              
pharmacy technicians,  as the  regulation requires technicians  to                                                              
be 18  years old and  have a high  school diploma.   She explained                                                              
that  the   change  would  allow   high  school  students   to  do                                                              
apprenticeships  while in  school.   In  response  to a  follow-up                                                              
question,  she stated  that  the  age requirement  is  set by  the                                                              
state, and almost all states do this.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PRAX  questioned the meaning  of "cross-agency," as  used in                                                              
the presentation.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS.  FRAZE   explained  that  "cross-agency"   coordination  would                                                              
include the Department  of Education, the Department  of Labor and                                                              
Workforce   Development,   and   the   Department   of   Commerce,                                                              
Community,  and  Economic  Development   to  collaboratively  work                                                              
together statewide.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:31:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ANDREA ANDRASCHKO,  Assistant Professor, Business  Administration,                                                              
Health   Occupations,   and  Health   Sciences,   Alaska   Pacific                                                              
University  (APU), presented  during the  overview on growing  the                                                              
health care workforce.   She explained that APU  partners with the                                                              
Alaska  Primary   Care  Association  (APCA)  to   provide  college                                                              
credits  for  students  doing  apprenticeships.     She  said  the                                                              
program  aligns with  the associate  degrees, bachelor's  degrees,                                                              
and  master's   degrees,  allowing   students  to  start   careers                                                              
straight out  of high school.   She stated that students  can come                                                              
back to  take classes  to get an  associate or bachelor's  degree.                                                              
She  stated  that  APU  is interested  in  working  with  as  many                                                              
organizations as possible to encourage the program.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:34:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA  shared that in her district there  are a good                                                              
amount   of  immigrants   and   refugees   who  struggle   getting                                                              
registered for college,  as their high school diplomas  are from a                                                              
different country.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS.  ANDRASCHKO responded  that there  are processes  in place  to                                                              
verify  international  diplomas.    In  response  to  a  follow-up                                                              
question regarding  the registration  process, she explained  that                                                              
there is  an online  registration system  and hands-on  assistance                                                              
options.     She  expressed   uncertainty  whether   APU  provides                                                              
language assistance.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:37:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER questioned  whether the  class work  would                                                              
be the same for  a student in a two-year associate  degree program                                                              
as  it would  be for  a student  who moves  from a  two-year to  a                                                              
four-year degree program.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS.  ANDRASCHKO answered  that it  is configured  so students  who                                                              
are in an associate  degree program would also  be working towards                                                              
a bachelor's degree.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   SADDLER   questioned   the   transferability   of                                                              
credits,  as  in  the example  of  an  associate  level  student's                                                              
ability to transfer  credits from APU to the  University of Alaska                                                              
Anchorage (UAA).                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MS. ANDRASCHKO expressed  the understanding that  credits would be                                                              
compatible  in both  directions;  however,  she acknowledged  that                                                              
this is  not a full  answer.   She offered to  report back  to the                                                              
committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:40:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  PRAX asked  if APU  programs  are open  to high  school-age                                                              
students.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. ANDRASCHKO  responded that APU  has the Early  Honors Program,                                                              
which works  with high  school-age students,  and this  is similar                                                              
to  UAA's  Middle   College  School.    She  continued   that  for                                                              
apprenticeship   programs,  a   high  school   diploma  would   be                                                              
required,  but APU  does  have college  courses  that high  school                                                              
students  can take.   In  response  to a  follow-up question,  she                                                              
stated that  APU only  has a partnership  with APCA;  however, she                                                              
offered that  APU is  open to working  with any organization  that                                                              
aligns with the program.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:42:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   FIELDS  offered   the   understanding  that   the                                                              
Alliance  for  Physician  Certification and  Advancement  and  the                                                              
American  Heart  Association  are  involved  with  the  Good  Jobs                                                              
Challenge  grant program.   He  suggested that  this would  create                                                              
more  apprenticeship  opportunities  for hospitals  and  long-term                                                              
care   facilities   because   hospitals    could   leverage   this                                                              
infrastructure, with APU and UAA providing the training.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:44:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee  took an at-ease  from 3:44  p.m. to 3:45  p.m. [due                                                              
to technical difficulties].                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:45:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TRISH  ZUGG,   Administrator,  Career   and  Technical   Education                                                              
Program,  Matanuska-Susitna  (Mat-Su)   Borough  School  District,                                                              
presented  during   the  overview  on  growing  the   health  care                                                              
workforce.    She disclosed  that  she  serves on  the  governor's                                                              
Alaska  Workforce  Investment Board,  as  well  as on  the  Alaska                                                              
Commission  on Postsecondary Education.   She  stated that  at the                                                              
school district  she oversees the district's career  and technical                                                              
education  (CTE) program,  which has the  Health Pathway  program.                                                              
She pointed  out that  within this  program there  has been  a CNA                                                              
program for  20 years, which is  board certified.  She  added that                                                              
at full  capacity, the  program can graduate  80 students  a year.                                                              
To have  exposure to  the health  care environment, she  explained                                                              
that  the CNA  students  perform  clinicals  at hospitals  in  the                                                              
Anchorage  and Mat-Su  boroughs.   She stated  that this leads  to                                                              
students  attaining  internships  and pre-apprenticeships  at  the                                                              
facilities  where  they  work.    She listed  some  of  the  other                                                              
programs  offered, such  as for  pharmacy  technicians and  dental                                                              
assistants.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS. ZUGG discussed  the expansion of programs in  the district and                                                              
pointed out  the opening of the  Houston High School, which  has a                                                              
full-time healthcare  instructor.  She added that  the district is                                                              
a  sub-recipient  of the  Good  Jobs  Challenge grant,  which  has                                                              
enabled an expansion in instruction and the hiring of a work-                                                                   
based  learning  coordinator.     Also,  as  part  of  the  growth                                                              
potential,  she said  there  is work  on  developing programs  for                                                              
behavior  health assistants,  personal  care assistants,  physical                                                              
care  assistants,  and  surgical  technicians.   She  pointed  out                                                              
that, since the  program is board certified, high  school students                                                              
would come out of school with credentials.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.  ZUGG gave  examples of  students  who have  succeeded in  the                                                              
program, as  one student is now  a doctor on  Joint-Base Elmendorf                                                              
Richardson  and two students  in the  pharmacy technician  program                                                              
are becoming pharmacists.   She noted that HB  31, which addresses                                                              
the  Alaska Performance  Scholarship, would  allow local  students                                                              
to use these funds in a more modernized fashion.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:53:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FIELDS  asked  whether  the  Good  Jobs  Challenge                                                              
funding  is supporting  the  work-based learning  coordinator  for                                                              
the Mat-Su school district.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.  ZUGG explained  that  the  districts are  sub-recipients,  so                                                              
secondary  partners  would  receive   part  of  the  grant.    She                                                              
continued  that over  3 years  the Mat-Su  district would  receive                                                              
$300,000  in  funding,  which  is   not  enough  for  a  full-time                                                              
coordinator; therefore,  the funding will be used  towards a part-                                                              
time position.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FIELDS suggested  that the  $3 million in  funding                                                              
the legislature added for CTE could help in providing a full-                                                                   
time work-based coordinator.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:55:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA  inquired as to whether there  are any student                                                              
vacancies in the program.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. ZUGG  answered  that there has  been a  marketing campaign  to                                                              
get federal  funds through  the Perkins Act  for CTE.   She stated                                                              
that  to qualify  for  the funding,  a comprehensive  local  needs                                                              
assessment  is required,  and from  this assessment  it was  found                                                              
that  stakeholders in  the community  need to  be better  informed                                                              
about  the  CTE  options  available.   She  said  there  has  been                                                              
outreach with  high schools  about CTE  offerings.  She  discussed                                                              
efforts  at engaging  students  better.   She  expressed the  hope                                                              
that one day the  problem would be that too many  students want to                                                              
participate.   She added  that some  of the  areas of  career tech                                                              
are at capacity.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA   commended  the  school  district   for  its                                                              
investment  and  outreach  on  these  programs.    She  questioned                                                              
whether   students  are   helped   with  class   scheduling   with                                                              
apprenticeships.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MS. ZUGG  responded that  the district has  the Four  C's Program:                                                              
college, career, community,  and credit, which is held  at the end                                                              
of the  day, Tuesdays through  Fridays.   She stated that  this is                                                              
when all the  stakeholders and teachers are engaged  in transition                                                              
planning  with students  to help  them map  out high  school.   In                                                              
response  to  a  follow-up  question  concerning  scheduling  with                                                              
apprenticeship programs,  she opined  that scheduling is  always a                                                              
challenge  with  students.   She  said ASD  has  a  goal that  all                                                              
students  graduate   college,  career,   and  life  ready.     She                                                              
explained that less  than 50 percent of all students  choose a CTE                                                              
pathway.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:02:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
GLORIA  BURNETT,  Director, Alaska  Center  for Rural  Health  and                                                              
Health Workforce,  presented  during the  overview on growing  the                                                              
health  care workforce.   She shared  that she  operates the  Area                                                              
Health  Education  Centers  (AHEC)  program,  which  is  federally                                                              
funded through  the Health Resources and Services  Administration.                                                              
She stated that  these funds are dedicated to  statewide workforce                                                              
development, with  a focus on  rural and underserved  communities.                                                              
She  explained  that  most healthcare  providers  are  trained  in                                                              
urban  settings;  therefore,  more  likely  to work  in  an  urban                                                              
setting.     She   suggested   that   this  leaves   a   workforce                                                              
distribution  problem.   She pointed  out  that local  individuals                                                              
who train locally  are more likely to stay in the  community.  She                                                              
noted that  it is hard to  run distance programs because  of [poor                                                              
internet connectivity]  in rural communities,  so there is  a lack                                                              
of  health  science   education  there;  however,   AHEC  provides                                                              
support  to  fill in  the  gaps.   She  said  that the  Good  Jobs                                                              
Challenge  provides an  opportunity  to expand  pre-apprenticeship                                                              
academy work.   She suggested that  the health care  community has                                                              
come a  long way in accepting  apprenticeships, and the  Good Jobs                                                              
Challenge will further  help in making the health  care program an                                                              
embedded pathway.   She maintained  that if there were  triple the                                                              
graduates  in the  state,  there still  would  be an  insufficient                                                              
amount of  health care providers.   She stated that the  center is                                                              
capitalizing  on what  is being  built  in the  urban centers  and                                                              
bringing  this  to rural  sites.    She  added that  the  COVID-19                                                              
funding that came  to AHEC was used for middle  school programing,                                                              
which helped expose these children to careers early.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:09:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS  asked how many students are  not reached by                                                              
AHEC.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. BURNETT explained  that there are six regional  centers across                                                              
the  state, with  only two  centers  having more  than one  staff.                                                              
She surmised  that  if centers had  more staffing,  the number  of                                                              
students  who could  be reached  would increase.   She offered  to                                                              
follow  up  and  provide  members   with  her  annual  report  and                                                              
information  regarding capacity.   She stated  that if  there were                                                              
more  staffing in  the  regional centers,  students  who could  be                                                              
reached would  go from  1,500 a year  to 3,000 a  year.   She said                                                              
that the  current demand cannot  be met,  and the program  has had                                                              
to turn away from sending instructors to some communities.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:12:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  asked  what  percentage  of  applicants  get                                                              
approved in an apprenticeship program.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.  BURNETT  responded  that every  apprenticeship  has  its  own                                                              
individual host organization.   She said that there  are about 250                                                              
successful path-academy  participants per quarter,  with more pre-                                                              
apprentices  than  apprenticeships  set up;  however,  while  some                                                              
students may not  be going into apprenticeships,  they are getting                                                              
hired.   She shared  that the program  holds mock interviews  with                                                              
local  providers   and  students,  with  students   often  getting                                                              
multiple job offers at the end.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:15:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 4:15 p.m. to 4:17 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
        HB  57-EMERGENCY MED. SVCS: REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:17:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  PRAX announced  that the  next order of  business would  be                                                              
HOUSE BILL  NO. 57, "An Act  relating to review  organizations and                                                              
permitting an emergency  medical services provider  to establish a                                                              
review organization; and relating to patient records."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:18:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PI  GIORDAN-RANDAL,  Staff,  Representative   Stanley  Wright,  on                                                              
behalf  of Representative  Wright,  prime  sponsor, presented  the                                                              
sectional  analysis for  HB  57 [copy  included  in the  committee                                                              
packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Section I:                                                                                                               
     Amends AS 18.23.070(1) to Include EMT's, dispatchers,                                                                      
        and paramedics in the definition of "health care                                                                        
     provider" for the purpose of peer review protection.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Section II:                                                                                                              
      Amends the definition of "healthcare provider" in AS                                                                      
     18.23.070(3) to include EMS agencies and employees who                                                                     
     are conducting peer review activities.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Section III:                                                                                                             
        AS 18.23.070(5) is amended to include emergency                                                                         
       medical services agencies and employees under the                                                                        
     definition of a "review organization"                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:19:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on HB 57.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:20:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARK JOHNSON,  representing self, shared  that he is  retired, and                                                              
he had  been the  chief of  emergency medical  services (EMSs)  in                                                              
the  state from  1979 to  2004.   He  advised that  at that  time,                                                              
quality  was  promoted  by  testing,   continuing  education,  and                                                              
oversight  by physicians.   He expressed  the  opinion that  HB 57                                                              
would take quality  to the next level.  He said  that EMS response                                                              
times  are  critical,  with  decisions being  made  quickly.    He                                                              
advised  that  it  is valuable  to  review  responses  afterwards,                                                              
which HB  57 would provide.   He observed  that it is  fitting the                                                              
hearing is in  the Bettye Davis room because  she had co-sponsored                                                              
trauma system  legislation, and this  had improved trauma  care in                                                              
the state.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:23:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  PRAX, after  ascertaining that  there was  no one else  who                                                              
wished to testify, closed public testimony.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:23:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 4:23 p.m. to 4:24 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:24:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE  moved to report  HB 57 out  of committee                                                              
with  individual  recommendations   and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                              
notes.  There  being no objection,  HB 57 was reported  out of the                                                              
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:25:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 4:25 p.m. to 4:27 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                 HB 112-PROFESSION OF PHARMACY                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:27:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PRAX  announced that  the final order  of business  would be                                                              
HOUSE BILL  NO. 112, "An  Act relating  to the Board  of Pharmacy;                                                              
relating  to the  practice of  pharmacy;  relating to  pharmacies;                                                              
relating   to  prescription   drug   manufacturers;  relating   to                                                              
prescriptions for  epinephrine; relating to the  administration of                                                              
epinephrine; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:28:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE,  as prime sponsor, explained  that after                                                              
a multiple-year  process of examining  regulatory updates,  HB 112                                                              
would change  the statute.   At  the request  of the governor,  he                                                              
said that  regulations had  been reviewed,  and areas  that needed                                                              
changes were found.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:29:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FIELDS  reiterated that  it  would  be helpful  if                                                              
work-based  learning  programs for  pharmacy  technicians  allowed                                                              
those under 18 years  of age to work.  He asked  whether the Board                                                              
of Pharmacy would need to update these regulations.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RUFFRIDGE answered  that  current regulations  for                                                              
pharmacy  technicians require  the person  to be  18 years  of age                                                              
and  have  a high  school  diploma.   He  continued  that  statute                                                              
allows  the Board  of Pharmacy  to  control licensing  regulations                                                              
for pharmacy  technicians.   He  said that other  than having  the                                                              
board adjust the regulations, there would be no other barriers.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:30:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ASHLEY  SCHABER, Pharm  D,  MBA, BCPS,  NCPS,  Board of  Pharmacy,                                                              
Division  of Corporations,  Business  and Professional  Licensing,                                                              
Department  of  Commerce,  Community,  and  Economic  Development,                                                              
said that  the changes requested  would be regulatory;  therefore,                                                              
this would  not require  a change  in statute.   In response  to a                                                              
question  from Representative  Ruffridge,  she  answered that  the                                                              
board  is  already  discussing the  regulatory  changes,  as  this                                                              
would  optimize the  workforce by  increasing pharmacy  technician                                                              
training.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:32:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on HB 112.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:32:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DUANE  WOOD,  representing self,  shared  that  he is  a  lifelong                                                              
Alaskan, and  a third-year  pharmacy student  who is working  as a                                                              
volunteer in rural  emergency medicine on Prince  of Wales Island.                                                              
He said that he  plans to work as a pharmacist  in the state after                                                              
he graduates.   He  explained that  changes in  the proposed  bill                                                              
would  improve the  ability of patients  and  the community  to be                                                              
served.   He  shared  a personal  story about  a  fatal allergy  a                                                              
friend had  and how  an EpiPen had  saved the  person's life.   He                                                              
pointed  out  that HB  112  would  improve  access to  EpiPens  by                                                              
allowing  pharmacists to  prescribe  them.   He  urged members  to                                                              
approve HB 112.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:35:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
AMITY  WINBORG, representing  self, shared  that she  is a  third-                                                              
year pharmacy student  in the joint doctorate pharmacy  program at                                                              
University of  Alaska and  Idaho State University.   She  said she                                                              
has  lived  in  Alaska  for  20  years  and  has  worked  in  both                                                              
community  and  hospital pharmacies.    She  advised that  HB  112                                                              
would  positively impact  patients.   She  explained that  patient                                                              
safety has been  at the forefront of her pharmacy  training, which                                                              
has led to new  health initiatives, like HB 112.   She stated that                                                              
creating  a pharmacy  technician  seat on  the  Board of  Pharmacy                                                              
would  ensure  that multiple  viewpoints  are  being  represented.                                                              
She  explained  that  HB  112 would  increase  patient  safety  by                                                              
ensuring  that   the  board  could  regulate   qualifications  and                                                              
entities.   She  reiterated that  it would  also increase  patient                                                              
access  to  EpiPens  by  allowing   pharmacies  to  prescribe  and                                                              
dispense them.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:37:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BARRY CHRISTENSEN,  RPh, Co-Chair,  Legislative Committee,  Alaska                                                              
Pharmacist  Association, shared  that  he has  owned and  operated                                                              
Island Pharmacy for  49 years.  He testified in support  of HB 112                                                              
on behalf of the Alaska Pharmacist Association.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:38:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT WATTS,  representing self,  stated that  he is a  pharmacist                                                              
and supports  HB 112.  He explained  that, as a pharmacist  for 33                                                              
years in Juneau,  he can attest to the changes  the profession has                                                              
seen.    He  highlighted  that  the  bill  would  add  a  pharmacy                                                              
technician  to the  board  and increase  access  to  EpiPens.   He                                                              
added that the bill  would also provide the power  to the board to                                                              
support the Drug Supply Chain and Security Act.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:41:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  PRAX, after  ascertaining that  there was  no one else  who                                                              
wished to testify, closed public testimony.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:42:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE  moved to report HB 112  out of committee                                                              
with  individual  recommendations   and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                              
notes.  There being  no objection, HB 112 was reported  out of the                                                              
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:42:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 4:42 p.m. to 4:44 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:44:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no further business before the committee, the House                                                                 
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was                                                                       
adjourned at 4:44 p.m.                                                                                                          

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