Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
02/28/2014 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR13 | |
| SCR14 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SCR 13 | ||
| = | SCR 14 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 28, 2014
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Stedman, Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice Chair
Senator Pete Kelly
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Johnny Ellis
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13
Urging the governor to establish and support programs designed
to eradicate the occurrence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
from the state.
- MOVED CSSCR 13(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Relating to health and social service best practice models and
identifying citizen networks to achieve solutions to health and
social problems in the state.
- MOVED CSSCR 14(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SCR 13
SHORT TITLE: FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KELLY
02/07/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/14 (S) HSS
02/26/14 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/26/14 (S) Heard & Held
02/26/14 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/28/14 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SCR 14
SHORT TITLE: H&SS REGIONAL BEST PRACTICE MODELS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KELLY
02/07/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/14 (S) HSS
02/26/14 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/26/14 (S) Heard & Held
02/26/14 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
02/28/14 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
HEATHER SHADDUCK, Staff
Senator Pete Kelly
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented changes to SCR 13 and SCR 14 on
behalf of the sponsor.
MARK HAMILTON, former-President
University of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SCR 13 and
SCR 14.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:33 PM
CHAIR BERT STEDMAN called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Micciche, Kelly, and Chair Stedman.
SCR 13-FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS
1:35:02 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that the first order of business would
be SCR 13. This is the second hearing on the resolution. On
February 26 the committee heard from the sponsor, held public
testimony, and set the resolution aside. The intent today is to
adopt a committee substitute and look to the will of the
committee.
1:35:49 PM
SENATOR KELLY moved to adopt the CS for SCR 13, labeled 28-
LS1398\N, as the working document.
CHAIR STEDMAN objected for discussion purposes.
1:36:23 PM
HEATHER SHADDUCK, Staff, Senator Pete Kelly, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented changes to SCR 13 on
behalf of the sponsor. She said the difference between version N
and the old version U can be found on page 2, line 1. Version U
said that the state currently maintains a high quality screening
for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Version N replaces
that with "a high quality diagnostic system." Currently, there
is no screening tool for FASD, but the state has a gold standard
in the diagnostic system.
1:36:50 PM
At ease
1:36:57 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN asked if that was the only change.
MS. SHADDUCK said yes.
CHAIR STEDMAN removed his objection to adopting version N. There
being no further objection, version N was before the committee.
1:37:32 PM
SENATOR KELLY said the resolution came from an idea that cropped
up in a Senate Finance Committee overview on the Mental Health
Trust Authority. From that a leadership team was established
which is pulling together an operational plan. He requested
testimony from Mr. Hamilton.
MARK HAMILTON, former-President, University of Alaska,
Anchorage, Alaska, provided information related to SCR 13. He
said he has been working on SCR 13 since last May. The team has
come up with an executable plan. He named the components
necessary when looking at FASD; early identification and trust.
He related that the team has worked with the First Alaskans
Institute that has an existing group of individuals that support
village internship programs. The team will utilize them to help
identify the kind of "go-to" person in every village, a person
with close ties and trust of the people of the village. He
provided a hypothetical example of how the natural helper might
assist someone to find help via the Indian Health Service.
He noted a combined study from UAA and UC-San Diego to research
the acceptability of free pregnancy test dispensers in women's
bathrooms in places that serve alcohol. These can detect
pregnancy within about six days, and the fetus attaches at about
13 days. He stressed the importance of early discovery. If a
healthy child is delivered, the state has saved about $900,000.
1:42:44 PM
MR. HAMILTON explained an awareness media campaign, emphasizing
the importance of social pressure. Another strategy is to target
men to support women during their pregnancy. He said on the
pregnancy dispenser will be a slogan, "If you know you are
pregnant, we know you'll do the right thing." He pointed out
that 90 percent of women who discover they are pregnant do stop
drinking.
1:44:31 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked about the importance of early
intervention and the susceptibility of the fetus at early
development stages.
MR. HAMILTON stated that the data shows that it is "Russian
Roulette." It depends on the timing of alcohol use because there
are specific days of embryo development that are most damaging.
Alcohol is one of the few reactants that dissolve the brain. He
said four states have laws to remand pregnant women who drink
during pregnancy. He suggested starting with developing a
culture of intervention.
CHAIR STEDMAN noted upcoming hearings on substance abuse issues.
He requested a brief history of Mr. Hamilton's career.
MR. HAMILTON shared his work history as the President of the
University of Alaska and a 31-year military career, retiring as
a Major General in the U.S. Army.
CHAIR STEDMAN commented on his skills and unique position to
help do away with FASD.
1:48:14 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE said it does not surprise him that Mr. Hamilton
would be involved in this issue. He shared a personal story.
1:48:58 PM
SENATOR KELLY said that the topic of FASD "breaks your heart."
He recalled a presentation about a baby that had brain damage
from alcohol abuse. There is no hope after the effects of
alcohol have done damage. He stressed the desperation to
eradicate fetal alcohol.
CHAIR STEDMAN noted one zero fiscal note from the Legislature.
1:51:11 PM
SENATOR KELLY moved to report the CS for SCR 13 from committee
with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note.
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that without objection, CSSCR 13(HSS) is
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
SCR 14-H&SS REGIONAL BEST PRACTICE MODELS
1:52:09 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that the final order of business would
be SCR 14. He said this is the second hearing on the resolution.
On February 26 the committee heard from the sponsor, took public
testimony, and held the resolution in committee. The intent
today is to adopt a committee substitute and look to the will of
the committee.
SENATOR KELLY moved to adopt the CS for SCR 14, labeled 28-
LS1397\N, as the working document.
CHAIR STEDMAN objected for discussion purposes.
1:52:29 PM
HEATHER SHADDUCK, Staff, Senator Pete Kelly, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, described changes in SCR 14 on
behalf of the sponsor. She said there are two changes in the
resolution. On page 1, line 4, it used to say, "Whereas, the
rate of alcohol-related deaths in the state is 185 percent
higher." That was based on an older Alaska score card,
therefore, the percentage has been changed to "152 percent" in
version N, which reflects the latest score card. The second
change is on line 6, "71 percent higher" is changed to "93
percent higher."
CHAIR STEDMAN removed his objection. There being no further
objection, version N was before the committee.
1:53:42 PM
MS. SHADDUCK related that the resolution provides for natural
helpers and the goal to create regional best practice models
that the Governor and the Commissioner can put into effect. She
concluded that SCR 14 provides a community-based solution.
1:54:28 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN noted there was one zero fiscal note from the
Legislature.
SENATOR KELLY summarized that the resolution reflects the desire
of the leadership team to not look to government, but to
communities, for solutions. The leadership team intends to raise
money from the private sector. Through the budget process, funds
will be requested for developing the best practices and creating
the networks. It is not designed as a government program, but
recognizes the networks that already exist. The plan is to find
the people who are addicted, and train and empower people who
care and will reach out to them.
He shared a story about the superintendent from Kotzebue who had
identified a group of young people as those who others turned
to. Previously, Kotzebue had six suicides per year, then a
leadership team was formed and the number of suicides decreased
to zero. He said similar natural helper groups exist in other
regions. This summer helpers who can be identified and trained
will be identified. Next, best practices will be identified.
1:59:22 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN said there was public testimony previously.
MARK HAMILTON, former-President, University of Alaska,
Anchorage, Alaska, provided information related to SCR 14. He
said community intervention is so much better than government
programs. A study shows that the government agency is number 9
or 10 on the list of who to trust or go to for help. The elders
are the natural helper group and will be accepted.
SENATOR KELLY described a story from Representative Ben Nageak
regarding how to get in people's faces when there is an
important issue.
2:01:41 PM
SENATOR KELLY moved to report the CS for SCR 14, labeled 28-
LS1397\N, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note.
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that without objection, CSSCR 14(HSS) is
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
2:02:18 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Stedman adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
at 2:02 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| CS SCR 13(HSS) ver. N.pdf |
SHSS 2/28/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SCR 13 |
| CS SCR 14(HSS) ver. N.pdf |
SHSS 2/28/2014 1:30:00 PM |
SCR 14 |