Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
04/09/2012 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB310 | |
| Presentation: Alaska Ehealth Network | |
| HB218 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 310 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 9, 2012
1:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bettye Davis, Chair
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Fred Dyson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Johnny Ellis
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 310(FIN)
"An Act temporarily reinstating the child and adult immunization
program in the Department of Health and Social Services; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 310(FIN) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 218(L&C)
"An Act prohibiting an insurer from using a drug formulary
system of specialty tiers under certain circumstances; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 218(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION: BOARD CERTIFIED DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIVES
- HEARD
PRESENTATION: ALASKA eHEALTH NETWORK
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 310
SHORT TITLE: STATE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HERRON
02/01/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/12 (H) HSS, FIN
02/14/12 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/14/12 (H) Heard & Held
02/14/12 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
02/28/12 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/28/12 (H) Moved CSHB 310(HSS) Out of Committee
02/28/12 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
02/29/12 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 5DP 1NR
02/29/12 (H) DP: KERTTULA, DICK, SEATON, MILLER,
HERRON
02/29/12 (H) NR: KELLER
04/03/12 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/03/12 (H) Moved CSHB 310(FIN) Out of Committee
04/03/12 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/04/12 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) 4DP 4NR 2AM
04/04/12 (H) DP: COSTELLO, GUTTENBERG, GARA, EDGMON
04/04/12 (H) NR: T.WILSON, DOOGAN, STOLTZE, THOMAS
04/04/12 (H) AM: FAIRCLOUGH, NEUMAN
04/05/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/05/12 (H) VERSION: CSHB 310(FIN)
04/06/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/06/12 (S) HSS
04/09/12 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 218
SHORT TITLE: PRESCRIPTION DRUG SPECIALTY TIERS
SPONSOR(s): HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
03/31/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/31/11 (H) HSS, L&C
02/28/12 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/28/12 (H) Heard & Held
02/28/12 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/15/12 (H) HSS RPT 2DP 4NR
03/15/12 (H) DP: KERTTULA, MILLER
03/15/12 (H) NR: MILLETT, SEATON, HERRON, KELLER
03/15/12 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/15/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee
03/15/12 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/16/12 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/16/12 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/12 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/26/12 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/26/12 (H) Moved CSHB 218(L&C) Out of Committee
03/26/12 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/28/12 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) NT 3DP 4NR
03/28/12 (H) DP: HOLMES, MILLER, OLSON
03/28/12 (H) NR: CHENAULT, THOMPSON, SADDLER,
JOHNSON
04/05/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/05/12 (H) VERSION: CSHB 218(L&C)
04/06/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/06/12 (S) HSS
04/09/12 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 310.
WARD HURLBURT, M.D.
Director
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing of HB 310.
GEORGE RHYNEER, M.D.
Alaska Physicians and Surgeons
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 310.
MARIE DARLIN, AARP
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 310.
BILL SORRELLS, Executive Director
Alaska eHealth Network (HIMSS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Alaska eHealth Network.
JANET OGAN, Staff
Representative Wes Keller
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 218 on behalf of the House
Health and Social Services Committee, sponsor.
BRENDA ROBERTSON, representing herself,
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 218.
CECIL BYKERK, Executive Director
Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ACHIA)
Omaha, Nebraska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 218.
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER,
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking on behalf of the House Health and
Social Services Committee, offered information on HB 218.
MARILYN KASMAR, Volunteer Board Member
Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ACHIA),
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 218.
JIM FREEBURG, Advocacy Director
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 218.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:33:51 PM
CHAIR BETTYE DAVIS called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Dyson, Meyer, and Chair Davis.
Senator Egan arrived shortly thereafter.
HB 310-STATE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
1:35:34 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced that the first order of business would be
HB 310. She recognized Senator Giessel in attendance.
SENATOR EGAN noted that CSHB 310(FIN), version I, was before the
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, sponsor of HB 310, presented the
bill. He thanked several people for their work on the bill,
including Senators Giessel and Olson. He related that the Alaska
Immunization Program was once under the watch of the late
Senator Ted Stevens. In 2010 federal monies for immunization
dropped from $4.3 million to $700,000. He said it was time that
Alaskans figure out how to run a fully funded immunization
program. He related that SB 144 is just a temporary act and over
the next few years the legislature will figure out how to
provide an immunization program for Alaska. The Health Care
Commission does not endorse any legislation, but does support a
program for immunization for disease prevention.
He pointed out that the legislation does not affect a family's
choice to not vaccinate their children.
1:38:53 PM
SENATOR EGAN noted there was an attached fiscal note.
SENATOR MEYER recalled hearing SB 144 previously and wondered if
HB 310 was different.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON explained that both bills were once nearly
identical. The House Finance version [I] includes a list of
school-required vaccines plus, on page 3, line 5, meningococcal
rotavirus, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines, as well as
zoster, or shingles, on line 8. Lines 9 through 15 give the
responsibility and the authority to the commissioner to add
vaccines or subtract vaccines based upon criteria. Lines 16
through 20 provide that if there is scientific evidence a
vaccine can be subtracted. Lines 19 and 20 provide that if the
revenue stream declines, vaccines can be dropped from the
recommended list. He noted that the bill passed the House 37 to
0.
1:41:48 PM
WARD HURLBURT, M.D., Director, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health and Social Services, testified during the
hearing of HB 310. He noted that there have been more than 600
cases of whooping cough in Washington State and about 35 in
Idaho. The funding from the bill will enable Alaska to protect
the 25 percent of children for whom there are no other
resources, which will, in turn, protect the whole population.
1:43:03 PM
GEORGE RHYNEER, M.D., Alaska Physicians and Surgeons, testified
in support of HB 310. He emphasized that the bill provides so
much for so little. He called it an extremely cost-effective way
of improving the health of Alaskans and it is the humane thing
to do.
MARIE DARLIN, AARP, testified in support of SB 310. She noted a
letter of support by AARP. She discussed how important it is to
have free immunizations for older citizens. She mentioned the
large number of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren
and the importance of vaccinating their grandchildren.
1:46:59 PM
CHAIR DAVIS noted that the committee heard Senator Giessel's
companion bill to HB 310.
She closed public testimony.
SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHB 310(FIN), version I, from
committee with individual recommendations and the attached
fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 310(FIN) was
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
At-ease from 1:49 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
1:50:04 PM
^Confirmation: Board Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Confirmation: Board Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
CHAIR DAVIS announced that the next order of business would be a
confirmation of the governor's appointment to the Board
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives. The nominee is Deborah
Schneider of Wasilla.
CHAIR DAVIS asked if any members have any questions. She read a
statement that said Ms. Schneider's name would be forwarded for
confirmation.
^Presentation: Alaska eHealth Network
Presentation: Alaska eHealth Network
1:52:04 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced that the next order of business would be a
presentation by the Alaska eHealth Network.
BILL SORRELLS, Executive Director, Alaska eHealth Network
(HIMSS), testified during the presentation of the Alaska eHealth
Network. He addressed the goals of HIMSS and shared its vision.
He noted that HIMSS is the expert on organization and education
for improving health care all over the world.
1:54:33 PM
MR. SORRELLS spoke of the membership of HIMSS, which includes
43,000 individual members, 500 corporate members, 90 plus
committees, 54 chapters and 150 plus not-for-profits. He stated
that offices are located in the United States and overseas.
He shared Health Information Technology (HIT) policy guidance
for state-level decision-makers. He discussed the reference for
development of state health policy, executive orders, and
legislation. He shared the goal to help streamline care delivery
by leveraging HIT. HIMSS can help state officials through
legislative analyses, forecasting and HIT specific information.
1:58:56 PM
MR. SORRELLS related how HIMSS provides state officials guidance
on protecting and supporting funding and incentives, supporting
consumer engagement, privacy and security, role of publicly
funded programs, and government relations and regional affairs.
He provided information about the HIMSS federal health
community, which is a complimentary networking platform and
community of professionals for HIMSS members who are also
federal government employees. The FHC works to foster cross-
agency information sharing and in order for members to network.
2:03:16 PM
MR. SORRELLS related that HIMSS entertains global conferences in
various places: Las Vegas, Copenhagen, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and
Washington, D.C.
He discussed current regulatory tracking. He shared information
about various agencies and their publications and key dates of
release of information. He described several publications such
as the Electronic Fund Transfer Standard.
He continued to discuss HIMSS's involvement with various federal
agencies and with several programs. He discussed HIPPA, civil
rights, security, and privacy.
2:08:13 PM
MR. SORRELLS concluded by listing where more information on
HIMSS and the state health IT policy guidance can be found.
CHAIR DAVIS thanked the presenter. She voiced concern about
those who travel not knowing information about their own
medications.
MR. SORRELLS spoke of the ability of electronic health records
to provide that information. He spoke of a personal experience
in the military with having an electronic health care record.
One of HIMSS's goals is to make information, resources, and
education available to all.
2:11:24 PM
SENATOR DYSON asked if HIMSS does consulting work for pay.
MR. SORRELLS said they do not. It is a non-profit organization
but can provide analytical expertise at a cost.
SENATOR DYSON asked if HIMSS works for pay in Alaska.
MR. SORRELLS said no. It provides educational programs at no
cost.
SENATOR DYSON asked if any has to do with drug registries.
MR. SORRELLS explained that HIMSS helps provide expertise on
best practices for that complex issue.
SENATOR DYSON noted the importance of security for health
records. He requested more information.
MR. SORRELLS related how personal health care information stored
electronically could be a concern. He said the industry has
matured well regarding safe-guarding personal information. He
talked about privacy rules developed in 2003. He noted there has
been only one breach since then, which is a good record. He
spoke as a consumer who would want ER's to have access to health
records. The goal is to give the provider information at the
point of care that is timely, relevant, and maintains the
consumer's trust.
2:16:58 PM
CHAIR DAVIS thanked Mr. Sorrells for his presentation.
HB 218-PRESCRIPTION DRUG SPECIALTY TIERS
2:17:25 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced the consideration of HB 218.
SENATOR EGAN noted that CSHB 218(L&C), version D, was before the
committee.
JANET OGAN, staff to Representative Wes Keller, introduced HB
218 on behalf of the House Health and Social Services Committee,
sponsor. She described the history of specialty tier drugs and
the differences in cost depending on the tier of the drug. Tier
4 drugs are especially expensive and are used to treat those
with chronic illnesses.
She related that the bill extends the notification time the
insurance companies have to give to their clients regarding
changes in their reimbursement policies. Insurance companies
must allow 90 days rather than 30 days for notification of
changes which would allow clients to look for alternative
therapies or finances to pay for the expensive drugs. She noted
the effective date was extended to January 2013.
She referred to a letter of support from the ACHIA Board.
CHAIR DAVIS noted the presence of Representative Wes Keller.
2:22:36 PM
BRENDA ROBERTSON, Eagle River, Alaska, testified in support of
HB 218. She shared a personal story of her husband's co-pay
being increased greatly and providing a hardship. She noted that
tiers were originally set up by insurance companies to give
patients a choice. She requested that patients be given a 90-day
notice.
CECIL BYKERK, Executive Director, Alaska Comprehensive Health
Insurance Association (ACHIA), testified in support of HB 218.
He suggested having a re-insurance program for children. He
pointed out that there are no child-only health insurance
policies currently available for purchase in Alaska. He pointed
out ACHIA's plan for coverage and limitations. He concluded that
ACHIA has a goal of developing a children's coverage program.
Currently, statute does not allow this proposal. He spoke in
favor of adding an amendment that would allow that to happen.
2:31:54 PM
CHAIR DAVIS said she has not received any amendments and she
questioned how Mr. Bykerk's proposal would fit into the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, speaking on behalf of the House
Health and Social Services Committee, offered information on HB
218. He suggested that the bill would be a carrier to solve the
problem of the lack of a child-only insurance policy.
MS. OGAN reported that she spoke to legal services about this
issue and discovered the need for a title change.
CHAIR DAVIS stated that she has not received the information and
is not prepared to move forward on the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER apologized. He said he wished to complete
public testimony.
2:34:49 PM
SENATOR DYSON asked if Representative Keller would accept an
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he would.
CHAIR DAVIS called an at-ease.
At-ease from 2:35 p.m. to 2:38 p.m.
2:38:15 PM
MARILYN KASMAR, Volunteer Board Member, Alaska Comprehensive
Health Insurance Association (ACHIA), testified in support of HB
218. She said she supports the statements of the previous
testifier. She agreed with providing insurance for children
under 19 and allowing ACHIA to administer the program.
2:41:15 PM
JIM FREEBURG, Advocacy Director, National Multiple Sclerosis
Society, testified in support of HB 218. He spoke in favor of
providing additional transparency around the use of specialty
drug tiers is a tool those with MS should have. He hoped that
eventually insurers would provide additional coverage for
pharmaceutical benefits. He noted that some states have outlawed
the use of specialty tiers.
2:43:49 PM
CHAIR DAVIS closed public testimony.
She stated that she would like to accommodate the addition of
children' insurance, but she preferred not to have an amendment.
She said she did not think she could get a 2/3 vote for the
title change.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked her to proceed with the bill as it
is.
CHAIR DAVIS requested a motion to move the bill.
2:45:42 PM
SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHB 218, version D, from committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note.
CHAIR DAVIS announced that without objection, CSHB 218(L&C) was
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
2:46:12 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Davis adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee at 2:46 p.m.