03/25/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR9 | |
| HB96 | |
| HB52 | |
| State Medical Board | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HJR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 25, 2025
3:21 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Genevieve Mina, Chair
Representative Andrew Gray
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Donna Mears
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9
Urging the United States Congress to extend enhanced tax credits
for health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act.
- MOVED CSHJR 9(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 96
"An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory
Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 52
"An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation
or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the
use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric
hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of
Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of
certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
State Medical Board
Samantha Smith - Anchorage
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 9
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
02/12/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/25 (H) HSS
03/11/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/11/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/18/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/18/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
03/20/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/20/25 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/25/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 96
SHORT TITLE: HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) PRAX
02/12/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/25 (H) HSS, L&C
03/25/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 52
SHORT TITLE: MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) DIBERT
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) HSS, L&C
03/25/25 (H) HSS AT 3:15 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PRAX
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 96.
RILEY NYE, Staff
Representative Mike Prax
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Prax, prime
sponsor, read the sectional analysis of HB 96.
TONY NEWMAN, Director
Division of Senior and Disabilities Services
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
96.
ALEXIS RODICH, Director of Policy & Research
SEIU 775
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 96.
ROSE CHILDS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As a caregiver, testified in support of HB
96.
BETTY REDD-MENDEZ, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As a caregiver, testified during the
hearing on HB 96.
ESSIE FRANK, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As a caregiver, testified during the
hearing on HB 96.
MATTIE HULL, Staff
Representative Maxine Dibert
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Dibert, prime
sponsor, answered questions regarding HB 52.
MATTHEW THOMAS, Nurse Consultant II
Health Facilities Licensing & Certification
Division of Healthcare Services
Department of Health
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
52.
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 52.
BENJAMIN MALLOTT, President
Alaska Federation of Natives
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 52.
MATEO JAIME, Community Relations Liaison
Facing Foster Care
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 52.
STEVEN PEARCE, Director
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 52.
SAMANTHA SMITH, PA, Appointee
State Medical Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Medical
Board.
SARAH HOOD, PA, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the confirmation hearing
for the governor's appoint to the State Medical Board.
WENDY SMITH, PA, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Ms. Smith to the State Medical Board.
CANDACE HICKEL, PA
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Ms. Smith to the State Medical Board.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:21:53 PM
CHAIR GENEVIEVE MINA called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:21 p.m.
Representatives Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke, Mears, Fields, Gray,
and Mina were present at the call to order.
HJR 9-EXTEND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS
3:22:32 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9, Urging the United States Congress
to extend enhanced tax credits for health insurance premiums
under the Affordable Care Act.
3:23:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked if there was an update made to
HJR 9 to reflect the new numbers.
CHAIR MINA responded that she was waiting for amendments from
other offices.
3:23:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to report HJR 9, Version 34-LS0490\N
out of from committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected. He said that HJR 9 does not
seem 100 percent accurate and he was waiting for the accurate
numbers from the Division of Insurance.
3:25:12 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:25 p.m. to 3:27 p.m.
3:27:32 PM
[The committee treated the motion to move HJR 9 out of committee
as withdrawn.]
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1
to HJR 9. He stated that the proposed amendment would strike
the words "tens of" on page 2 line 2, such that the line would
read "then doubling of health insurance premiums for thousands
of state residents."
CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion. She thanked
Representative Ruffridge for his collaboration and for ensuring
the accuracy of the numbers in HJR 9.
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:28:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to adopt HJR 9, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHJR 9(HSS) was
reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
3:29:16 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:29 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
HB 96-HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD
3:40:14 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 96, "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment
Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care
services; and providing for an effective date."
3:40:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PRAX, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 96. He read the sponsor statement
[included in the committee file], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Seniors are the fastest growing demographic in the
state of Alaska1 and are living longer lives. 2 The
state's 85+ population is expected to increase by 500%
between 2022 and 2050, of which, 1/3 will experience
Alzheimer's and Related Dementia. 3 The Alaska
Department of Labor and Workforce Development predicts
home care, a part of Alaska's continuum of care
services for seniors and people with disabilities, to
be one of the fastest growing and most in demand
occupations in the state.4
Alaska faces an acute shortage of direct care workers,
particularly outside of population centers. The
potential provider workforce demographic, those age 18
to 64, is in decline. Furthermore, low pay and lack of
benefits force many caregivers out of the profession
and make recruitment and retention increasingly more
difficult for agencies providing in-home care
services.56
We need to create strong and long-lasting home care
infrastructure in Alaska which will expand access to
quality, affordable home and community-based care for
seniors and people with disabilities, keep people in
their homes and out of costly facilities, and bolster
the creation of jobs. We also need to ensure that
Medicaid funding for personal care services is wisely
spent, with an adequate portion of the rate going to
pay and benefits for direct care workers, in order to
help address the workforce shortage. HB 96
accomplishes both of these objects by:
• Establishing a Home Care Employment Standards
Advisory Board that will investigate, advise, and
develop recommendations on Medicaid rates and other
policies to improve the wages, working conditions, and
recruitment and retention of direct care workers.
• Requiring that agencies providing personal care
services spend at least 70 percent of the total annual
funding they receive from the department for personal
care services on the pay and benefits of Personal Care
Assistants providing such services.
3:43:47 PM
RILEY NYE, Staff, Representative Mike Prax, on behalf of
Representative Prax, prime sponsor, read the sectional analysis
[included in the committee file], of HB 96, [original
punctuation provided]:
Section 1 amends AS 44.29 by adding new sections to it
and various aspects of the Home Care Employment
Standards Advisory Board. Thus,
Sec. 44.29.900. Home Care Employment Standards
Advisory Board. This section is added to establish the
advisory board on Home Care Employment Standards in
Alaska.
Sec. 44.29.905. Composition of the board. This section
elaborates on the composition of the board which will
consist of a chair, 6 voting, and 4 non-voting
members. The section clarifies how many members should
be sought from each represented group or institution.
The members will be appointed by the Commissioner of
Health after solicitation of applications. Thus,
• Commissioner of Health or commissioner's designee
(non-voting unless in the event of a
tie)
• Commissioner of Labor and workforce development (or
the commissioner's designee) (non-voting)
• Two members representing covered providers, (with
variance in terms of size, services provided and
geographical location) (voting)
• Two members who represent direct care workers
(voting)
• One member who is an enrollee or representative of
enrollees receiving covered services (voting)
• One member who represents the office of rate receive
(voting)
• A representative of the Alaska Commission on Aging
or another organization that represents seniors in the
state (non-voting)
• A representative of the Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education another
organization that represents people with disabilities
in the state (non-voting)
Sec. 44.29.910. Term of office, vacancies, removal.
This section explains how the members of the board
appointed in AS 44.29.905(3) will serve and
establishes how long they shall serve, options for
reappointment and how vacancies will be filled.
Sec. 44.29.915. Meetings. The section establishes the
duty of the chair to call for meetings of the board
with regularity and as needed. It also establishes
that the board should meet at least three times each
year and hold additional meetings as often as
necessary to accomplish its duties. At every meeting,
the Board will provide space for public testimony.
Sec. 44.29.920. Quorum. The section clarifies that a
majority of the members of the Board constitute a
quorum in a meeting of the board for it to transact
its official business and to approve any
recommendations of the Board.
Sec. 44.29.925. Compensation. This section refers to
established rules under AS 39.20.180 to guide
compensation of members of the board through per diem
and expenses reimbursement. Other than that, members
of the Board will not receive compensation.
Sec. 44.29.930. Powers and duties. This section
establishes the duties and powers of the board which
include advising and consulting the department on
medical assistance program payment rates for covered
services and payment rate adequacy for covered
services, as well as investigating employment issues
and concerns including wages, working conditions and
workforce development and making recommendations. This
section also describes state compliance with
information requests and testimony, and ensures the
board will have access to data needed to fulfill its
responsibilities.
Sec. 44.29.935 Biennial report. The section requires
the board to submit a written report biennially to the
Commissioner. The Commissioner is mandated to review
with the aim of accepting or rejecting findings and
recommendations and to give guidance and a way forward
depending on circumstances.
Sec. 44.29.940. Publication of reports. This section
mandates the publication of the reports on July 1 each
year and the reports must be publicly accessible. The
section also elaborates on what shall be included in
the published reports.
Sec. 44.29.945. Definitions. This section specifies
the definitions of all the terms used in the sections
above i.e. AS 44.29.900 - 44.29.945 including those
that relate to Section 1915(c) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396n(c))
Section 2 amends AS 47.07.045 by adding new
subsections that require an agency providing personal
care services to pay as compensation and benefits to
employees providing personal care services at least 70
percent of total annual funding received by the agency
for the purposes of providing personal care services,
increasing to 80 percent by July 1, 2030, unless the
agency receives a hardship exemption from the
department. This section also requires the department
to establish procedures and objective criteria for
granting a hardship exemption, and sets alternative
minimum requirements for an agency that qualifies for
such an exemption.
Section 3 amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska by adding a new section establishing when the
board should be appointed, that the first meeting
should be held on or before October 1, 2025, and the
issues to be investigated for the preliminary report
which will be presented at the first meeting.
Section 4 amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska by adding a new section establishing the date
for preliminary internet website publication of the
publication to be no later than July 1, 2026.
Section 5 amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska by adding a new section instructing the
Department of Health to amend the state plan under AS
47.07.045 and submit for approval to the United States
Department of Health and Human Services, to the extent
necessary.
Section 6 amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska by adding a new section that makes this Act
conditional on the United States Department of Health
and Human Services approving amendments submitted in
accordance with section 5, or determines that approval
is not necessary.
Section 7 sets the day after the date on which the
United States Department of Health and Human Services
approves amendments to the state plan or determines
that approval is not necessary under section 6 of this
act, as the date section 2 of this Act takes effect.
Section 8 sets July 1, 2025 as the date the Act takes
effect, except as provided in section 7.
3:50:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked what percentage of funding to agencies
under the Department of Health is currently going to personal
care services.
MR. NYE responded that the breakdown is currently 50/50.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked if other states have implemented
similar legislation to HB 96 and what their experience has been
like.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX responded that he does not know if other
states have passed similar legislation.
3:52:58 PM
TONY NEWMAN, Director, Division of Senior and Disabilities
Services, Department of Health, said that the state would need
to apply for a state plan amendment, which can take a few
months. He said that other states have created boards of this
kind and have found it to be helpful.
3:54:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked if this board would require an
executive director.
MR. NEWMAN responded that there is no requirement under HB 96
for an executive director and that his division has submitted a
fiscal note asking for two staff to assist with the work
required by HB 96. In response to Representative Schwanke, he
explained the workload that would require two staff members.
3:55:47 PM
CHAIR MINA asked if the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory
Board would focus only on Medicaid rates or if it would be
looking at grants and other funding from the Department of
Health.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX responded that the board would have to
comply with Medicaid rates.
MR. NEWMAN said that HB 96 would ensure that the Division of
Senior and Disabilities Services is in compliance with the
federal Medicaid Ensuring Access Rule.
CHAIR MINA asked what types of providers would be under the
purview of this board.
MR. NEWMAN said that both the federal rule and HB 96 would have
two requirements: wage transparency for a range of professional
services and wage adequacy provisions.
CHAIR MINA asked if the board is narrowed to specific types of
caregivers because of the federal Medicaid Ensuring Access Rule.
MR. NEWMAN responded that he believes that is true.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX emphasized that the federal Medicaid
Ensuring Access Rule is quite extensive.
4:00:26 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony.
4:00:43 PM
ALEXIS RODICH, Director of Policy & Research, SEIU 775,
described the recent increase in the senior population of Alaska
and the increased need for care services. She said that HB 96
would help reduce the "workforce crisis" in direct care services
by creating a labor rate for personal care services and
increasing rate transparency. She emphasized the importance of
a workforce standard advisory board, which would be created
under HB 96.
4:08:01 PM
ROSE CHILDS, Caregiver, representing self, testified in support
of HB 96. She described her personal and work experience as a
caregiver. She said that there has been a decline in the direct
service provider profession, but emphasized the need for it.
4:13:30 PM
BETTY REDD-MENDEZ, Caregiver, representing self, described her
experience as a caregiver to her family members. She emphasized
the challenges she faces due to her profession, including no
health insurance and low pay. She explained how an advisory
board would allow caregivers to advocate for better pay, health
insurance, and other critical needs.
4:17:13 PM
ESSIE FRANK, Caregiver, representing self, described her
experience as a caregiver. She said that many caregivers
struggle financially due to low wages. She said that HB 96
would allow her voice and the voices of her clients to be heard.
4:20:13 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HB 96. After ascertaining
that there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public
testimony.
HB 52-MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
4:20:44 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 52, "An Act relating to the rights of minors
undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric
hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of
minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published
by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the
Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and
providing for an effective date."
4:20:56 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:20 p.m. to 4:21 p.m.
4:21:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 52, Version 34-LS0399\N, Radford,
3/24/25, as the working document.
CHAIR MINA object for the purpose of discussion.
4:22:23 PM
MATTIE HULL, Staff, Representative Maxine Dibert, on behalf of
Representative Dibert, prime sponsor, provided an explanation of
changes in the proposed CS for HB 52, Version N.
CHAIR MINA removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Version N was before the committee.
4:25:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked how many minors HB 52 addresses.
MR. HULL responded that, as of 2022, 450 minors were in
psychiatric care both in state and out of state.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE asked how many children are in
psychiatric hospitals each year on average.
MR. HULL responded that on an annual basis, about 300 children
enter psychiatric care every year.
4:26:45 PM
CHAIR MINA asked if the communication requirement for families
with youth, under HB 52, Version N, would be duplicative with
the existing rights of psychiatric patients to communicate.
MR. HULL responded that he is unsure of the answer currently.
MATTHEW THOMAS, Nurse Consultant II, Health Facilities Licensing
& Certification, Division of Healthcare Services, Department of
Health, said that he would need to compare HB 52, Version N, to
current legislation before answering this question.
CHAIR MINA asked what the repercussions would be for any
facilities that did not comply with HB 52, Version N.
MR. HULL responded that Version N would not define repercussions
but would establish rights for children under psychiatric care
and would enable the right to inspection and access.
MR. THOMAS said that actions can be brought against a facility,
ranging from a warning letter to termination.
CHAIR MINA asked about the process of issuing a warning letter.
MR. THOMAS responded that anybody could file a complaint with
the Department of Health (DOH) and then that complaint is
triaged to determine severity, investigations, and enforcement
actions.
4:32:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if the appeals process is listed on
the Department of Health (DOH) website.
MR. THOMAS responded that the facilities have an appeals process
within them which patients can utilize and if that is not
successful, a patient can file a grievance with DOH.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if the grievance filing process is
accessible on the DOH website.
MR. THOMAS responded that there is an accessible link on the DOH
website for individuals looking to file a complaint against
healthcare facilities.
4:35:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked for the purpose of unannounced
inspections of psychiatric facilities. He asked if HB 52,
Version N, would also require inspections of out-of-state
facilities where Alaskan children are residing.
MR. HULL responded that he believes out-of-state facilities
would be inspected.
4:37:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 52, [Version N]. She paraphrased the
sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
House Bill 52 would increase transparency and parental
oversight of Alaskan children who are placed in
psychiatric hospitals. In 2022, the United States
Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report after
conducting an extensive investigation into the
institutionalization of Alaskan children with
behavioral health challenges at psychiatric hospitals
and psychiatric residential treatment facilities. In
2020, the State institutionalized over 800 children at
such facilities, more than one third of whom were
Alaska Native.
The State often places children hundreds of miles from
their families and communities. As a result, many
parents, unable to regularly visit treatment
facilities, worry that their children may be
vulnerable to abuse while away from home. Indeed,
local, and national reporting has raised concerns
about the extensive use of seclusion and restraints on
children inside Alaska's facilities, including forced
injection of sedatives. While the medical community
agrees that treatment providers should only use these
tactics as a last resort, in 2004, the Disability Law
Center of Alaska uncovered an unreasonably high rate
of seclusion and restraint: 261 incidents in a
threemonth period.
The institutionalization of children with behavioral
health challenges can last weeks, months, or even
years. Such long-term placement is devastating for all
families and is especially traumatic for Alaska Native
families who experienced the harm of family separation
when the government forcibly removed their loved ones
and sent them to boarding schools.
House Bill 52 brings three reforms to reduce the risk
of abuse, strengthen family connections, and improve
the transparency of Alaska's psychiatric hospitals.
First, the bill ensures that children can maintain
communication with their parents or legal guardians
while institutionalized. Second, the bill requires
unannounced, thorough inspections by state public
health officials twice annually. Third, the bill
ensures that facilities are transparent about the use
of seclusion and restraint. The bill also requires
Alaska Department of Health to write and release a
report to the Legislature with data from these
psychiatric hospitals where minors are held.
In response to the DOJ report in 2022, Alaska's
behavioral health care providers are working to
increase the capacity of in-State, in-patient
behavioral healthcare services for minors. It is
essential that children, parents, and the public know
that the rights of our youth are protected and that
the facilities treating young people are safe.
4:41:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked again about the purpose of an
unannounced inspection.
MR. HULL responded that the goal is to fulfill Section 6 of the
Department of Justice's findings and remedial plan. He said
these inspections would provide more oversight of these
facilities.
4:43:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked for an explanation for why 50 percent
of minor patients at psychiatric hospitals would be interviewed
under HB 52. He asked how many children are typically at these
facilities in Alaska, and how many interviews that would
require.
MR. HULL responded that 50 percent was chosen as a
representative sample size. He said that the size of these
facilities varies greatly.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said he appreciates the representative size
of a 50 percent sample but expressed concern over the length of
time that would be needed to conduct so many interviews.
MR. HULL responded that a staff member from the DOH would be
assigned this task as their sole focus.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked if other states have implemented
similar reporting requirements to that under HB 52, Version N,
and if those requirements actually changed the behaviors of
staff at these facilities.
MR. HULL responded that HB 52, Version N, would bring the state
in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
He emphasized that seclusion and restraint have been overused
beyond any treatment plans at psychiatric facilities in Alaska.
He said the amount of their uses show that seclusion and
restraint have been used as punishment within these facilities.
4:48:13 PM
CHAIR MINA announced invited testimony.
4:48:31 PM
BENJAMIN MALLOTT, President, Alaska Federation of Natives,
testified in support of HB 52, Version N. He said that access
to mental health services is very limited in rural Alaska. He
said that about one third of minors in psychiatric hospitals in
Alaska are Alaska Native and emphasized the support that Alaska
Federation of Natives has for HB 52, Version N.
4:51:07 PM
MATEO JAIME, Community Relations Liaison, Facing Foster Care,
described his personal experience with a psychiatric facility.
He emphasized the length of his stay at this facility, the
traumas he experienced and witnessed there, and the lack of
communication he was allowed to have.
4:55:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Mr. Jaime if a specific guardian was
assigned to him to represent him within that psychiatric
facility.
MR. JAIME responded that he had a case worker, but they never
showed up for him. He also said that he faced difficulties with
the guardian assigned to him by the facility. He also explained
that he had no way of contacting his case worker.
4:58:13 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HB 54, Version N.
4:58:57 PM
STEVEN PEARCE, Director, Citizens Commission on Human Rights,
said that there is a growing focus on the overuse of psychiatric
drugs on youth in psychiatric facilities. He said that many
children in these facilities are not receiving adequate care.
He emphasized the right youth must have to make complaints about
a facility and the rights to communication, privacy, and
visitors.
5:02:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if the Citizens Commission on Human
Rights is a state agency or an independent organization.
MR. PEARCE responded that the Citizens Commission on Human
Rights is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if there is a formal way for people to
get in touch with the organization.
MR. PEARCE responded that he can follow-up with an email to the
committee.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
^State Medical Board
State Medical Board
5:03:36 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
the confirmation hearing for the governor's appointee to the
State Medical Board.
5:03:51 PM
SAMANTHA SMITH, PA, Appointee, State Medical Board, provided a
history of her education and clinical experience. She
emphasized her experience working with under-served communities
and her interest in the state of Alaska. She said that Alaska
has subpar medicine and provided examples of this. She said she
would like to influence the medical community in a positive way.
5:09:58 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 5:10 p.m.
5:10:41 PM
MS. SMITH, in response to questions from Representative
Ruffridge, said that she wants to serve on the State Medical
Board because it ensures the safety of patients in Alaska. She
emphasized that she is a "patient advocate at heart." She said
that the licenses the board gives out must be scrutinized more.
She said she is worried about the number of complaints regarding
patient harm that are coming to the board from citizens.
5:15:38 PM
MS. SMITH, in response to questions from Representative Gray,
said that she works for a medical clinic and explained her
schedule and the regenerative medicine on which she focuses.
She emphasized that she does not take medical advice from a
chiropractor. She added that she meets on a quarterly basis
with Dr. Hudson, from whom she receives her medical advice, and
she does monthly reports with the chiropractor with whom she
works. She said that she is not involved in any organizations
as a PA. She said she did not feel the need to be a part of one
and she does not work with any other PAs directly.
5:22:38 PM
CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on the confirmation hearing
on the governor's appointee to the State Medical Board.
5:22:54 PM
SARAH HOOD, PA, representing self, emphasized the unique
challenges of practicing medicine in Alaska.
5:24:40 PM
WENDY SMITH, PA, representing self, testified in opposition to
the appointment of Ms. Smith to the State Medical Board. She
said Ms. Smith is unqualified and lacks broad clinical
experience in Alaska.
5:26:15 PM
CANDACE HICKEL, PA, representing self, testified in opposition
to the appointment of Ms. Smith to the State Medical Board. She
emphasized Ms. Smith's lack of longevity in the state and lack
of understanding of PA professional practice in Alaska.
5:27:25 PM
CHAIR MINA, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on the confirmation
hearing.
5:27:28 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 5:27 p.m.
5:27:59 PM
CHAIR MINA invited Ms. Smith to return for a future hearing to
address committee questions.
5:28:18 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 5:28p.m.