Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
04/04/2014 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing | |
| HB301 | |
| HCR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 301 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HCR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 4, 2014
1:36 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
CONFIRMATION HEARING
State Medical Board
Dr. Sai-Ling Liu - Nome
CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(HSS)
"An Act relating to duties and procedures of the state medical
examiner and the Department of Health and Social Services."
- MOVED CSSH 301(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18
Encouraging hospitals and birthing facilities in the state to
participate in the Baby- Friendly Hospital Initiative and to
support breastfeeding; and recognizing the benefits of
breastfeeding.
- MOVED HCR 18 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 301
SHORT TITLE: AUTOPSIES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HERRON
02/07/14 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/14 (H) HSS
02/20/14 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
02/20/14 (H) Heard & Held
02/20/14 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/04/14 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/04/14 (H) Heard & Held
03/04/14 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/11/14 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/11/14 (H) Moved CSHB 301(HSS) Out of Committee
03/11/14 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/12/14 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) NT 7DP
03/12/14 (H) DP: SEATON, REINBOLD, PRUITT, KELLER,
NAGEAK, TARR, HIGGINS
03/19/14 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/19/14 (H) VERSION: CSHB 301(HSS)
03/21/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/14 (S) HSS
04/04/14 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HCR 18
SHORT TITLE: BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HUGHES
02/19/14 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/14 (H) HSS
03/13/14 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/13/14 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
03/14/14 (H) HSS AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/14/14 (H) Moved Out of Committee
03/14/14 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/17/14 (H) HSS RPT 5DP 1NR
03/17/14 (H) DP: REINBOLD, KELLER, NAGEAK, TARR,
HIGGINS
03/17/14 (H) NR: PRUITT
03/24/14 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/24/14 (H) VERSION: HCR 18
03/26/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/26/14 (S) HSS
04/04/14 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
DR. SAI-LING LIU, Appointee
State Medical Board
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as Appointee to the State Medical
Board.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 301.
KERRE SHELTON, Director
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to HB 301.
REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY HUGHES
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HCR 18.
JENNIFER AIST, Manager
Outpatient Clinics and Services
Children's Hospital at Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 18.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:36:54 PM
CHAIR BERT STEDMAN called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:36 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Micciche, Kelly, and Chair Stedman.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING
CONFIRMATION HEARING
1:37:22 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced the first order of business would be a
confirmation hearing for the State Medical Board.
State Medical Board
1:37:44 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN related that Dr. Sai-Ling Liu was appointed to the
State Medical Board for a four-year term on March 1, 2014.
1:38:08 PM
At ease
1:38:44 PM
DR. SAI-LING LIU, Appointee, Alaska State Medical Board, Nome,
Alaska, testified as Appointee to the State Medical Board.
CHAIR STEDMAN requested a synopsis of the history of Dr. Liu's
medical work.
DR. LIU related that she is a physician at Norton Sound Health
Corporation. She said she graduated from Oklahoma State
University College of Osteopathic Medicine, interned at J.F.
Kennedy Memorial Hospital, and served a residency at Family
Practice Residency of San Joaquin General Hospital. She noted
she is a board certified American Board of Family Practice
physician. She said she has been working at the Norton Sound
Health Corporation since 1990.
CHAIR STEDMAN asked why she should serve on the State Medical
Board.
DR. LIU said she was nominated by the people of Unalakleet. She
considers it an honor to serve on the board. She said she would
rise to the challenge of serving on the Board.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked why Dr. Liu took ten years off.
DR. LIU explained that she did research at Stanford University
and then attended medical school.
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to advance the name Dr. Sai-Ling Liu for
appointment to the State Medical Board for consideration by the
full membership of the legislature in joint session.
CHAIR STEDMAN found no objection and reminded members that this
does not reflect any intent by the members to vote for or
against the confirmation of the individual during any further
sessions.
HB 301-AUTOPSIES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES
1:43:52 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced the consideration of HB 301, noting it
was the first hearing of the bill. He spoke of the companion
bill, SB 161, by Senator Olson, which moved out of committee. He
said the intent today is to hear the bill, take public
testimony, and move the bill from committee.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 301, explained that the bill makes small,
but important, changes to statutes. It was requested by
constituents regarding the release of the remains form, which
looked like the state was encouraging the use of a funeral home,
rather than letting the family decide. He noted that his office
worked with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
to come up with an improved form.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON referred to a change that was not
addressed in the Senate version of the bill. On page 2, line 3,
the language used to say "embalming required by law". He said
some airlines took advantage of that wording. The wording now
says, "if embalming is required by law," otherwise the bill is
identical to the Senate version.
CHAIR STEDMAN noted a fiscal note from DHSS.
1:46:27 PM
KERRE SHELTON, Director, Division of Public Health, Department
of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Anchorage, Alaska,
provided information related to HB 301. She said the only
difference is that it clarified that embalming is not required
by law. The other parts of the bill relate to medical examiner
operations. The bill ensures that all deceased under the
jurisdiction of the state receive the same treatment and
respect. She concluded that the bill is legally defensible and
scientifically valid.
1:48:23 PM
SENATOR KELLY said he also heard the bill in Senate Finance.
CHAIR STEDMAN closed public testimony.
1:48:56 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report CS for HB 301(HSS) from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that without objection, CSHB 301(HSS) is
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
HCR 18-BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE
1:49:37 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced the consideration of HCR 18.
1:50:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY HUGHES, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HCR 18, explained the benefits of breast
feeding, which include health, mental health, and financial
benefits. She said the resolution encourages, but does not
mandate, hospitals to obtain the "Baby Friendly" designation by
implementing ten steps to successful breast feeding. One
hospital in Alaska currently has that designation. The
resolution will promote breast feeding within the hospital and
after discharge.
She related that three of the top eight health issues are
impacted by whether a child has been breast fed; obesity,
diabetes, and cancer. Breast feeding will free up medical care
costs and Medicaid dollars. The societal benefits are improved
health, mental health, and environmental health.
1:54:23 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN noted one zero fiscal note.
SENATOR MICCICHE said he thought the vote would be unanimous.
CHAIR STEDMAN opened public testimony.
1:55:22 PM
JENNIFER AIST, Manager, Outpatient Clinics and Services,
Children's Hospital at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of HCR 18. She added other benefits from
breast feeding including increased IQ's of children. She said 9
out of 10 moms breast feed, but many are not getting proper
support and care.
She said the Baby Friendly initiative was developed by the World
Health Organization and is evidence-based. Providence is the
only Baby Friendly designated hospital in Alaska. She concluded
that breast feeding babies is the most simple, effective method
of reducing medical costs and improving health. She thanked
Representative Hughes for sponsoring the resolution.
1:58:11 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report HCR 18 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that without objection, HCR 18 is
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.
1:58:44 PM
There being nothing further to come before the committee, Chair
Stedman adjourned the Senate Health & Social Services Standing
Committee at 1:58 p.m.