03/27/2001 05:17 PM House MLV
| Audio | Topic |
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 27, 2001
5:17 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Chair
Representative Lisa Murkowski
Representative Joe Green
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Joe Hayes
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Beverly Masek
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 53
"An Act establishing the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission."
- MOVED CSHB 53(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 88
"An Act changing the name of the Alaska Pioneers' Home to the
Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home and of the Alaska Pioneers'
Homes Advisory Board to the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home
Advisory Board; relating to services for veterans in the home;
relating to the advisory board for the home; making other
amendments to the statutes relating to the home; making
conforming amendments to other statutes; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED HB 88 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION HEARING:
AK Army National Guard, Brigadier General
- POSTPONED TO 4/3
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 53
SHORT TITLE:SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S)DAVIES
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/10/01 0054 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
01/10/01 0054 (H) MLV, STA, FIN
03/13/01 (H) MLV AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 120
03/13/01 (H) -- Meeting Canceled --
03/27/01 (H) MLV AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 120
BILL: HB 88
SHORT TITLE:PIONEERS' AND VETERANS' HOME/ADVISORY BD
SPONSOR(S): RLS BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/24/01 0155 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
01/24/01 0155 (H) MLV, STA, FIN
01/24/01 0156 (H) FN1: ZERO(ADM)
01/24/01 0156 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
03/20/01 (H) MLV AT 3:30 PM CAPITOL 120
03/20/01 (H) Heard & Held
MINUTE(MLV)
03/27/01 (H) MLV AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as sponsor of HB 53.
MILT WILTSE, Director
Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Department of Natural Resources
794 University Avenue, Suite 200
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707-3645
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified that the commission created in
[CSHB 53] is a good idea.
SHELDON WINTERS, Lobbyist
State Farm Insurance Company
431 N Franklin Street, Suite 400
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of [CSHB 53].
CAROL CARROLL, Director
Administrative Services Division
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
400 Willoughby, Suite 500
Juneau, Alaska 99811
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of [CSHB 53].
LADDIE SHAW, Special Assistant
Office of Veteran Affairs
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
PO Box 5800
Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505-0800
POSITION STATEMENT: Asked for the committee's support of HB 88.
MG PHILLIP OATES, Adjutant General/Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
PO Box 5800
Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505-0800
POSITION STATEMENT: Urged the committee to forward HB 88.
JIM KOHN, Director
Division of Alaska Longevity Programs
Department of Administration
PO Box 110211
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0211
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 88.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 01-8, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR MIKE CHENAULT called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 5:17 p.m.
Representatives Chenault, Green, Kott, Cissna, and Hayes were
present at the call to order. Representative Murkowski arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
HB 53 - SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION
CHAIR CHENAULT announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 53, "An Act establishing the Alaska Seismic
Hazards Safety Commission."
Number 0073
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to adopt CSHB 52, Version 22-LS0278\F,
Lauterbach, 3/24/01, as the working document before the
committee. There being no objection, Version F was adopted.
Number 0212
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES, Alaska State Legislature, testified
as the sponsor of HB 53. Representative Davies noted that today
is the [37th] anniversary of the 1964 earthquake, the second
largest earthquake recorded in history. He also noted that
there are more earthquakes, of a given magnitude, per day in
Alaska than there are in California. Furthermore, Alaska sits
on one of the major plate boundaries, the collision boundary
between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, and thus
a number of earthquakes are generated. Over the course of
recorded history in Alaska, there have been five earthquakes of
magnitude 7 or larger north of the Alaska Range. Representative
Davies pointed out that the entire state is subject to some
earthquake activity and thus it's important to understand [that
fact and] keep it in mind when zoning and building.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES explained that this bill will create the
Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, which would [reside]
in the governor's office. The commission would have an
"umbrella status" over various agencies in order to have a body
that could coordinate a seismic hazard mitigation policy for the
entire state. He noted that a number of agencies deal with
various aspects of seismic hazards, especially the Division of
Emergency Services, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
(DMVA), and the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
(DGGS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR). However, there
is no state-level agency that deals with reducing the effects of
earthquakes. The primary manner to reduce the effects of
earthquakes is through building codes. Although [the U.S.]
enjoys some of the best designed buildings, "we can do better."
For example, although the recent Seattle area earthquake didn't
do much damage, it still managed billions of dollars' worth of
damage. In moderate to large earthquakes, most of the damage,
80-90 percent, is cosmetic.
Number 0583
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES specified that this commission would
survey what is being done in Alaska in order to stay up-to-date
with modern building codes while making recommendations to
executive and legislative branches as well as the various
agencies. He pointed out that the legislation recommends that
the commission be composed of nine members. The CS [on page 2,
lines 18 and 19] changed the membership such that the four
public members was decreased to three and a representative of
the insurance industry was included due to its involvement in
such situations.
Number 0688
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if every full number in increase in
magnitude equates to approximately ten times the prior number.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES answered that the magnitude scale is an
open-ended logarithmic scale. He explained that the factor of
ten refers to the amplitude of the wave. Therefore, magnitude 8
has a wave amplitude that's ten times larger than magnitude 7,
which corresponds in energy to about 32 times. So, moving from
magnitude 5 to magnitude 7 equals an increase of about 1,000
times in energy. Representative Davies pointed out that [lower]
magnitude [earthquakes] are ten times more frequent. Therefore,
people experience earthquakes a lot, but they are smaller
[magnitude] earthquakes. In regard to the earthquakes the
magnitude of the 1964 earthquake, those occur around every 500
years. Therefore, although it isn't likely that one would
experience an earthquake such as the 1964 earthquake, it is
likely that one would experience a magnitude 7 earthquake. "So,
we need to be ready," he said.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if the fact that the state creates
such an advisory committee, would create any liability to the
state.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES replied, "I don't believe so."
Number 0867
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI inquired as to why this commission is
placed under the auspices of the Office of the Governor.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES answered that he felt that the commission
would need the ability to coordinate across state agencies.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI turned to subparagraph (2) of the
"FINDINGS" section of CSHB 53 and asked if there is "anything
that kind of acts as an oversight."
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES said that each agency that deals with this
takes some responsibility to try to perform some coordination.
However, there is no focus in state government on coordination
in regard to mitigation versus preparedness. He explained that
preparedness is getting ready to respond to an event when it
actually happens, while mitigation takes steps ahead of time in
order to lessen the scale of damage. Therefore, Representative
Davies introduced the bill because the state doesn't have
mitigation in place. However, he emphasized that he isn't
proposing that the commission develop changes in the building
codes that are implemented retroactively. This is a long-term
look at the problem.
Number 1148
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA informed the committee that her daughter
was in a Seattle building that sustained earthquake damage.
After viewing the area, she [realized] the importance of
mitigation. She asked if this bill is different from the
legislation in Washington State and if this bill included
protections beyond those in the Washington State bill.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES answered that this bill is similar to
Washington's legislation. He noted that Rod Combellick,
Engineering Geology Chief, DGGS, DNR, surveyed what other states
have done and that survey was used to design HB 53. However,
Representative Davies said that this bill is patterned more
after the California Seismic Safety Commission. He noted that
the commissions in some states encompass all hazards, while
others are strictly seismic. In this case, the legislation, and
thus the commission it creates, focuses on the seismic issue in
order to avoid becoming too cumbersome.
Number 1253
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN related his understanding that the DGGS,
DNR, tracks seismic activity along with other services that deal
with subsurface activities. Therefore, he asked if the division
is already capable or doing what the commission would.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES explained that [DGGS] does work that
supports the seismic networks used to monitor activity from both
earthquakes and volcanoes. However, the primary research [from
this division] has been geared towards understanding the long-
term frequency of large earthquakes. Such research develops the
scientific information that would allow public policy
determinations. He clarified that the division is a scientific
agency, not a policy agency and thus isn't in a position to
drive these concerns.
Number 1370
MILT WILTSE, Director, Division of Geological & Geophysical
Surveys, Department of Natural Resources, testified via
teleconference. Mr. Wiltse pointed out that when one is
discussing disasters of the magnitude that could occur with
earthquakes, the scope of the problem is staggering. It
requires an amazing amount of coordination to be effective in
dealing with such. As has been noted, Alaska has a long history
of very effective preparation to respond to earthquake
disasters. However, the state hasn't put forth the same effort
to deal with the mitigation side of the issue.
MR. WILTSE turned to the Olympia, Washington, earthquake and
noted that the seismic hazards committee in Washington had a
program to inspect buildings in order to mitigate damage.
During those inspections, someone noticed that there was a water
tank on the top of one of the schools, which would pose a
hazard. Therefore, the water tank was emptied. After the
earthquake it was noted that the water tank did topple, but
because it was empty no damage was done to the school. Mr.
Wiltse remarked that there are probably countless examples of
such that resulted from a committee [focused on mitigation].
MR. WILTSE emphasized that he strongly believes that a group of
people dedicated to thinking and strategizing about this issue
would pull all the scattered state elements into a coordinated
effort. He remarked, "The true story of their effect will never
be written because we can avoid disasters that we wouldn't
otherwise step around." Mr. Wiltse said that he thinks the
proposed commission is a good idea, although he wished DGGS
could do more.
Number 1649
SHELDON WINTERS, Lobbyist, State Farm Insurance Company, voiced
support of this legislation. He informed the committee that
State Farm Insurance is involved in earthquake mitigation
throughout the country and works hand-in-hand with all the other
commissions in the other states. He has been told that the
state commissions work wonders in the states where they are in
place. Therefore, even if the bill passed without a
representative from the insurance industry sitting on the
commission, State Farm would still support the bill. Mr.
Winters noted that the insurance industry pays for a great
majority of the losses, and because of their involvement, the
insurance industry has the ability to tap other expertise in the
areas of building and seismic activities. Therefore, the
insurance industry representative could serve as a conduit for
information for the commission.
Number 1746
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI inquired as to what [the insurance
industry] does to help with the mitigation. She related her
understanding that earthquake insurance is prohibitively
expensive in Anchorage.
MR. WINTERS noted that he isn't an insurance expert or an
earthquake expert. However, he cited building codes as the most
obvious area in which the insurance companies can be involved.
With respect to other state commissions, he has been told that
the insurance industry is involved and can provide input, at
least to tap the expertise available. With regard to coverage,
Mr. Winters emphasized that such issues can be addressed by
having an insurance representative on the commission.
Number 1898
CAROL CARROLL, Director, Administrative Services Division,
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), echoed
Representative Davies' comment that DMVA is heavily involved in
the planning for and response to disasters. However, "we do
believe that there is a place for bringing these issues and
elevating these issues to a commission that could develop some
policies, recommendations, and kind of move us forward in a
direction of mitigation," she said. Ms. Carroll noted that
although DMVA does perform some mitigation and does receive
mitigation money when there is a disaster, more work can be
done. Ms. Carroll testified to the department's support of the
bill.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI asked if the department would rather
the commission be housed within DMVA.
MS. CARROLL replied, "There isn't any desire, on the part of the
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs, to have the
commission or not. In the governor's office is fine with us."
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI asked if the department merely wants
the commission.
MS. CARROLL related the belief that the commission is valuable.
CHAIR CHENAULT asked if there was anyone else to testify.
Hearing no one, Chair Chenault placed the bill before the
committee.
Number 1966
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN posed a situation in which a CEO of a
"good-sized" corporation is going to build a 28-story building
in Anchorage. If this commission is in existence, what would
that company do differently.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES replied, "Virtually nothing."
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN inquired as to how this commission would
help this situation.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES expressed the hope that in the time before
the corporation wants to build a large building, the commission
would have worked with building officials and incorporated the
most current research into the building code. Therefore, the
corporation would merely be following the building code. In his
view, [the commission] wouldn't impact that corporation at all.
Although the corporation would follow the uniform building code
for earthquake hazards, the numbers may be slightly different.
Most of the construction changes that result are almost
negligible in cost when following the code upfront.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN referred to the ARCO Tower, which he was
told has rollers on Teflon in its structure in order to
accommodate motion. He asked if that was part of the Anchorage
building code or part of the ARCO design. He also asked if such
[code] would be developed by this commission.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES said that when one is building something
such as the ARCO towers, generally the best seismic hazards
staff are hired. He noted that many buildings today are built
with seismic shock absorbers in an attempt to decouple the shear
motion from the building, which is a fairly proven technique.
In further response to Representative Green, Representative
Davies agreed that such construction methods may be instituted
in the building code as a result of the commission's work.
Representative Davies saw the [changes being instituted] mainly
through building codes with some change in the land use
planning.
Number 2120
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI inquired as to why [other states] have
seismic hazards commissions and Alaska, the state with a large
earthquake in its history, does not.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES answered that most of the other states
adopted their commissions in response to Alaska's earthquake.
He agreed with Representative Murkowski that many people
probably felt that Alaska had its big earthquake and thus was
off the hook. Although there is some truth to that, there is
the possibility of a magnitude 7 earthquake in Anchorage and
that is significant. Therefore, preparation is important.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI referred to an article that discussed
the faults that lie in Southeast Alaska.
CHAIR CHENAULT placed the bill before the committee.
Number 2227
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN moved to report CSHB 53, [Version 22-
LS0278\F, Lauterbach, 3/24/01] out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 53(MLV) was reported from the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HB 88 - PIONEERS' AND VETERANS' HOME/ADVISORY BD
CHAIR CHENAULT announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 88, "An Act changing the name of the Alaska
Pioneers' Home to the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home and of
the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board to the Alaska
Pioneers' and Veterans' Home Advisory Board; relating to
services for veterans in the home; relating to the advisory
board for the home; making other amendments to the statutes
relating to the home; making conforming amendments to other
statutes; and providing for an effective date."
Number 2344
LADDIE SHAW, Special Assistant, Office of Veteran Affairs,
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), testified via
teleconference. Mr. Shaw announced that the veterans truly need
the Pioneers' and Veterans' Home project to move forward. He
informed the committee that Alaska has one of the largest
veteran populations in the nation. However, the state provides
the smallest amount of support. Presently, [DMVA] has a
$540,000 budget that supports in excess of 50,000 veterans in
the state. In comparison, Mississippi - one of the poorest
states in the nation - has four veterans' homes that are
supported with over $4 million in state general funds. Mr. Shaw
requested the committee's support in moving this idea forward.
Number 2437
MG PHILLIP OATES, Adjutant General/Commissioner, Department of
Military & Veterans' Affairs, said that he wanted to begin by
impressing upon the committee the weight of the decision that
it's making. General Oates announced that not moving this bill
forward is a vote against veterans.
TAPE 01-8, SIDE B
GENERAL OATES discussed the military presence in Alaska. For
Alaska, the military has been and is currently the largest
industry of the state. Furthermore, one in five Alaskans has
some connection with the military. In regard to why the
veterans haven't been more active in working with the
legislature, General Oates explained: "That's because they know
selfless service. And they depend on their elected
representatives to do what's right for them."
GENERAL OATES stressed, "It's disgraceful that the state with
the second highest per capita number of veterans in our nation
does not have a veterans' home." He said that the congressional
delegation and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) have
indicated that they want to help, but can't until the state
takes a move forward. "It's time to move forward," he charged.
He remarked that this is the largest shortcoming during his time
in office.
GENERAL OATES described a recent meeting with a Dr. Cohen(ph), a
former paratrooper in the Israeli Army who now lives in the
U.S., in the Anchorage Pioneers' Home. Dr. Cohen and his wife
have expertise in designing homes to help those in severe
medical need in the Alzheimer's category. General Oates
described the medical model in which the medical needs are met,
but the human needs are not. He recalled that Dr. Cohen
contrasted the medical model with the Pioneers' Home system and
how something such as a Pioneers' or Veterans' Wall of Honor in
the home could make things better. In Alaska there are six
regional Pioneers' Homes across the state and thus Alaska has
the opportunity to go beyond Mississippi with its four homes.
He pointed out that if Alaska builds veterans' homes, there will
be fewer beds, it will cost more, and will result in the medical
model. In conclusion, General Oates said, "So, when you think
about what you owe to the veterans, I would ask you to think of
what they've done for Alaska. ... And if we say, as a state, we
can't afford to assist our veterans, it's not a state that I'd
want to stay in as a military member."
Number 2280
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI referred to General Oates testimony at
the prior hearing that she understood to mean that Alaska's one-
year residency requirement precludes the state from obtaining
federal VA money.
GENERAL OATES pointed out that the state has the opportunity to
earn veterans' benefits that were earned through the [Pioneers'
Home] system. However, since it's a nontraditional veterans'
care system, the state cannot receive the per diem that is
available. There is great interest from Secretary Principi to
make this a pilot project and thus make the per diem available.
When Secretary Principi visited two of Alaska's [Pioneers']
homes, he said that Alaska's homes compare very well with other
veterans' homes and have a better approach to long-term care
than in other homes around the nation. However, the concern is
in regard to the homes meeting basic needs such as fire
protection, health, sanitation, safety, and handicap access.
General Oates related his confidence, after visiting the homes
himself, that when the state commits to going forward and the
federal VA comes down, those federal VA benefits for [veteran]
residents will come. General Oates reiterated his testimony
from the prior hearing that this is the best idea that has been
presented and thus if it isn't acceptable, he requested help
developing another idea.
Number 2159
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI related her understanding that the
"hitch" in not being able to obtain federal dollars is because
the Pioneers' Home System is a nontraditional facility.
However, it isn't necessarily tied into the one-year residency
requirement.
GENERAL OATES said her understanding seems to be correct.
MR. SHAW pointed out that presently there are no requirements in
the system because veterans aren't acknowledged as a part of the
VA's entitlement programs because they don't have their own bed
space. If this legislation moves forward and there is a
Pioneers' and Veterans' Home, then the VA will potentially move
forward the entitlements to those veterans in those beds. Those
per diem entitlements would range between $39-$52 a day.
Number 2108
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI recalled General Oates eloquent
testimony regarding the debt we owe veterans. However, in
conversations with less supportive people, she has discovered
concern that by having a combination home, "we" are taking
respect from the Pioneers' of Alaska. There is fear that there
will be change [if the veterans move in]. She asked whether the
name is that critical.
GENERAL OATES remarked that the more "we" talk to groups, the
more their concerns are alleviated. When talking with the
residents and watching them embrace the veterans, he didn't
think that they have such concern. Also, this is important to
the veterans, who view this as a right and something they have
earned. Therefore, General Oates said that he would be opposed
to not changing the name.
Number 1944
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN recalled that when he first came to the
state in 1977, he felt that the Pioneers' Home concept was
fantastic. Although litigation changed that [concept]
significantly, the home remained wonderful. Then, about 10-15
years ago the residents of the Pioneers' Homes changed from the
average elderly person to persons with various forms of
dementia. When he visited the Pioneers' Home [in Anchorage] two
or three years ago, it was demoralizing because of the state of
the residents, although the care was still there. Therefore, he
asked whether a healthy, aging veteran in that environment would
appreciate being placed in such a situation.
GENERAL OATES said that as [the state] becomes more involved
with long-term care, he has found that [residents of homes]
migrate to the more extreme end. From his perspective, there
are just more people in that population and there is also a
change in the way people view healthcare. That's another reason
why the veterans' home system is in crisis around the U.S.; it's
not the same home once envisioned.
GENERAL OATES, in regard to whether this [combination] home
meets all the needs, responded no. He remarked that maybe those
veterans [with dementia] are the ones that we should reach out
to the most. As Dr. Cohen related, "we" have a responsibility
to help their quality of life. He also recalled Dr. Cohen
saying that the veterans cannot recall the short term, but can
remember the "spark," military service, of the past.
GENERAL OATES stated: "If we are unsuccessful in a committee
that has military and veterans in its title and its job
description, I don't give much hope for the rest of our ...
prospects. Don't sit on this bill, pass it forward."
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI inquired as to the percentage of the
veterans in the [Pioneers' Homes] that meet the 70 percent
disability requirement.
Number 1647
JIM KOHN, Director, Division of Alaska Longevity Programs,
Department of Administration, informed the committee that
presently there are about 90 veterans in the [Pioneers' Homes].
Of those 90 veterans, about six receive monthly veterans
payments due to their injuries in service. However, that group
of six is known because they utilize the payment assistance
program. Only those utilizing the payment assistance program
are asked about their income and assets. Mr. Kohn noted that
half the residents in the homes utilize the payment assistance
program and thus he guessed that as many as a dozen [veterans in
total] actually receive monthly veterans payments due to
injuries incurred during service.
Number 1590
REPRESENTATIVE HAYES noted his support of this legislation, but
pointed out that it will have a difficult time in its next
committee of referral.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA recalled testimony from last week
regarding what was perceived as inadequate funding for this
program.
MR. KOHN explained that the present staffing in the Pioneers'
Homes are based on the levels of care, of which there are five.
There is the coordinated services, which is the old residential
care for which there are no direct care services unless there is
an emergency. The basic assisted living level provides sporadic
services. There is the enhanced assisted living services, which
tends to have people who are more in need of medical help while
the Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) residents are
in need of help with their dementia and have less medical
problems. However, the ADRD residents need 24-hour assistance.
There are also the comprehensive services for those that need
help with all tasks of daily living. Mr. Kohn informed the
committee that 4.9 hours of care per resident per day is
provided to those in the enhanced assisted living, the ADRD, and
the comprehensive services levels. That average time is
systemwide.
MR. KOHN turned to the national figures in regard to the number
of hours provided in nursing home facilities in the Lower 48,
which struggle to provide 2.5 hours per resident per day.
Therefore, Mr. Kohn felt that the staffing for the Pioneers'
Homes is good. He mentioned that a lady who performs
accreditation for assisted living visited the Anchorage
Pioneers' Home during dinnertime and this lady said that the
building looks good all the way through. Mr. Kohn acknowledged
that people have testified that there isn't enough staff at the
Pioneers' Homes. However, as a nurse he has worked in hospitals
in long-term care settings where he felt that there was never
enough staff, as far as he was concerned, because one can always
do more. Adding more staff is attempted through volunteers,
from which there is much support throughout the state.
Furthermore, there is a nursing shortage and thus if nursing
staff is necessary for safety reasons, the nurses on staff are
required to come in because although the position is empty, the
work has to be done. From that situation, the staff says that
there isn't enough staff and although that is true, it doesn't
mean that the residents are suffering. More help is necessary
so that staff can return to more reasonable hours.
Number 1120
MR. KOHN noted that he has been the director of the Pioneers'
Homes for eight years and the staffing is very adequate.
However, for the staff doing the work, they feel overworked and
under supported. This is very difficult work.
CHAIR CHENAULT placed the legislation before the committee and
announced that he would entertain a motion.
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI expressed hope that the committee would
move HB 88 out of committee and recognize the comments of
General Oates. She noted that the legislation has the following
committee referrals: the House State Affairs Standing Committee
and the House Finance Committee, respectively. Representative
Murkowski related her strong feeling that "we" have an
obligation to provide some facility for Alaska's veterans. This
is an area in which [the state] has failed its veterans. She
informed the committee that she had the opportunity to speak
with Secretary Principi when he was in town. From that
conversation, she had the impression that Secretary Principi
wanted to make something happen in Alaska, but the state has to
take the first step. Therefore, if the full deal, as
encompassed in HB 88, can't be done, then perhaps a pilot
project could be started.
Number 0938
REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI moved to report HB 88 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being no objection, HB 88 was reported from the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
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