03/04/2021 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB21 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 2021
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator David Wilson, Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lora Reinbold
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 21
"An Act relating to mobile intensive care paramedics; relating
to duties of the State Medical Board and the Department of
Health and Social Services; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED SB 21 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION(S) HEARINGS
State Medical Board
Marie Freeman - Wasilla
Lydia Mielke - Big Lake
Richard Wein - Sitka
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
Rhonda Boyles - Anchorage
Brent Fisher - Anchorage
Annette Gwalthney-Jones - Anchorage
Anita Halterman - Eagle River
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 21
SHORT TITLE: LICENSE MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDICS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) REVAK
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) HSS, L&C
03/02/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/02/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/02/21 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
WITNESS REGISTER
DIRK CRAFT, Staff
Senator Josh Revak
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on behalf of the
sponsor on SB 21.
MARIE FREEMAN, M.D., Appointee
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
State Medical Board.
LYDIA MIELKE, Appointee
Big Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
State Medical Board.
RICHARD WEIN, M.D., Appointee
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
State Medical Board.
RHONDA BOYLES, Appointee
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees.
BRENT FISHER, Appointee
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees.
ANNETTE GWALTHNEY-JONES, Appointee
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees.
ANITA HALTERMAN, Appointee
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:43 PM
CHAIR DAVID WILSON 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 Hughes, Begich, Costello, and Chair
Wilson.
SB 21-LICENSE MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDICS
1:35:11 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 21,
"An Act relating to mobile intensive care paramedics; relating
to duties of the State Medical Board and the Department of
Health and Social Services; and providing for an effective
date." He noted the committee heard an overview of the bill and
took public testimony March 2.
CHAIR WILSON asked for an overview of the letter received from
the Chugiak Fire Department.
1:35:47 PM
DIRK CRAFT, Staff, Senator Josh Revak, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, said that Senator Reinbold had asked Senator
Revak's office to reach out to the Chugiak Fire Department and
obtain a letter of support, which the committee has a copy of.
SENATOR HUGHES said she appreciated Chugiak weighing in. The
paramedics are very busy on the Glenn Highway.
CHAIR WILSON asked the will of the committee.
1:36:58 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report SB 21 [work order 32-LS0207\B]
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s). There being no objection SB 21 was reported from
the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
1:37:15 PM
At ease
^Confirmation Hearing(s)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
State Medical Board
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
1:38:48 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of the governor's appointees to the State Medical
Board. He called on appointee Marie Freeman.
1:39:32 PM
MARIE FREEMAN, M.D., Appointee, Wasilla, Alaska, said that he
has been a family physician in Alaska for the past 27 years. She
developed a medication-assisted treatment program for Algone, a
pain clinic. She is a follower and believer in the teachings of
Jesus Christ. The State Medical Board offers an opportunity to
learn and serve community. She joined the board last year. It is
a civic duty. She brings to the board over 30 years of medical
practice and experience and hopefully common sense.
CHAIR WILSON asked if Dr. Freeman had served on the medical
board for the past year and she answered no.
SENATOR BEGICH said he doesn't know the Algone Intervention Pain
Group listed on her resume.
DR. FREEMAN answered that it is an interventional pain clinic.
It is for those with chronic pain issues, such as cancer or
orthopedic pain.
SENATOR BEGICH said that part of the work is disciplinary action
for those who violate state law. That led to a contentious
hearing last year. He asked if she has been involved in any
processes that involve disciplinary action against people who
violate state law.
DR. FREEMAN replied not before joining the board, but since
joining the board she has had a number of opportunities to serve
in that capacity. That has been an interesting experience.
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that she is familiar with state board
statutes and regulations because she has had to apply them to
cases that have come before the board. He noted in her opening
statement she brought up her religious beliefs. He asked how she
will separate those religious beliefs from her service on this
secular, regulatory body if they conflict.
DR. FREEMAN said she doesn't believe they will conflict. Her
religious beliefs will be helpful to guide what she thinks the
correct thing to do is based on the Alaska statutes.
SENATOR BEGICH thanked her for her succinct and on-point answer.
1:46:02 PM
CHAIR WILSON called on appointee Lydia Mielke.
1:46:16 PM
LYDIA MIELKE, Appointee, Big Lake, Alaska, said she was born and
raised in Big Lake. She has worked in tourism and spent five
sessions working in the legislature. She was appointed to the
board a year ago and was able to spend a significant time
learning about the board and jumping into her role as the public
member. The board met weekly because of the COVID pandemic. The
board passed emergency regulations to make sure the state had
the physicians it needed during the pandemic. She is working for
the Division of Community and Regional Affairs as a local
government specialist. She brings a younger voice and
perspective to the board. She does her research before the
meetings. She is excited about the opportunity to serve.
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that being on the board is voluntary
and uncompensated.
MS. MIELKE replied yes and the only compensation would be for
travel expenses.
SENATOR BEGICH asked how familiar she is now as a public member
with the state board statutes and regulations. He asked if she
had taken part in any disciplinary actions between December 15
and January 19.
MS. MIELKE replied that she would need to check with the board
staff about the dates of the last meeting, and Senator Begich
replied the board will do that. She said that she has read
through the statutes and reviews them as needed.
CHAIR WILSON thanked her for her service and called on appointee
Richard Wein.
1:50:58 PM
RICHARD WEIN, M.D., Appointee, Sitka, Alaska, shared that the
medical board had met more than any other board because of the
pandemic and met the needs of the medical community. He has a
master's in journalism from Columbia and a medical degree from
Tufts. He was a physician surgeon for 40 years, 20 in New Jersey
and 20 in Alaska. He has held many leadership roles in his
career. He was on the staff of SEARCH-Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in
Sitka. He was also on the staff of Sitka Community Hospital. He
has served as the chair of the board for the last year, which
also involved attending many other meetings. His life has
revolved around problem solving and working with people, taking
complex information, synthesizing it, and crafting solutions.
CHAIR WILSON asked if he is still practicing.
DR. WEIN replied that he is not in the active practice of
general surgery, but he practices medicine by helping people
navigate through the medical system. He is an advocate.
SENATOR BEGICH said he understood that Dr. Wein has no active
medical license at this time.
DR. WEIN answered that he does have an active medical license.
He is due for renewal this year and will reapply.
SENATOR BEGICH recalled that there was a fairly contentious
hearing last year. He is not going to bring those issues up
again. Dr. Wein has been leading the board for a full year. He
asked if the board met between December 15 and January 19.
DR. WEIN responded that to the best of his recollection the
board did not. The leadership at the division was aware that
things were changing with appointees and some of the issues. The
good news is that the board met so many times that it
accomplished a great deal of business. He thinks the board met
January 29. He thinks the board met in early December and not
during the time of concern.
SENATOR BEGICH said that a lawsuit filed by the legislature and
court has held that actions may not have been legal after
December 15 and before January 19. It is not decided law yet. It
is still contested in the courts; that is why he is asking.
DR. WEIN said the board members were aware and were happy to be
in full compliance.
SENATOR BEGICH said that the other questions he would normally
ask were answered by Dr. Wein last year.
SENATOR COSTELLO thanked all who have been serving. Their
service is appreciated. She has not served on the Health and
Social Services Committee in prior years. She asked what he sees
as the biggest challenge in 2021 for the board. She asked what
vicarious liability is. This seems to have come up last year,
but she wanted to give him a chance to explain that situation to
her.
DR. WEIN replied that vicarious liability is a legal technique.
If someone is part of a medical group and a member of the group
is successfully sued, other members of that incorporation are
part of the suit and it is called vicarious. It is because of an
association that occurred. Other than vicarious liability, he
has had no malpractice suits in over 40 years. Regarding the
greatest challenge, he wishes he could say there is one. There
are a lot. The first one that comes to mind is the Prescription
Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). This giant challenge represents
a great deal of time, effort, and energy and as Dr. Daugherty
mentioned [in his confirmation hearing], it has potential
problems which ensnares well-meaning physicians. There are a
number of solutions. His solution is developing a push
notification system for the PDMP, which would eliminate many
problems and save physicians a great deal of time. Some issues
are related to the application procedures. None of these things
are straightforward. This is a new age and in going through
applications, the staff is very busy. Although it may seem
things are slow, physicians are applying with numerous licenses,
some with 40. All of these have to be evaluated. There are lots
of curveballs occurring in the regulatory process. The state has
its own in-state issues, such as with telehealth. Many people
from out of state are delivering medication with oversight that
is difficult. One of the goals of the board is to promote safe
practice for the citizens of Alaska. Telemedicine within the
state is perfect and should be expanded, but corporations are
inundating Alaska, which can adversely affect Alaska physicians.
On the one hand it is needed. Telemedicine is a great
technology, but the state must understand it. There are many
issues facing the medical board. The board is a good, responsive
group who meet when necessary, not just quarterly. The board has
been good at solving problems.
2:03:20 PM
At ease
2:04:55 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting. He asked if the Medical
Board has sought to work with the Board of Pharmacy on
regulations for the PDMP.
DR. WEIN answered absolutely. There are six groups within the
state of Alaska that write prescriptions. A group has been
formed with Richard Holt, the head of the Board of Pharmacy as
the lead, to discuss PDMP issues. That group routinely is
invited to Medical Board meetings. Members of PDMP group present
during the Medical Board's quarterly meetings.
2:06:20 PM
At ease
2:06:43 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.
SENATOR BEGICH stated that at the last committee hearing, two
members of the board said there was increased engagement with
the PDMP. He asked what that meant.
DR. WEIN replied said the last report showed 94 percent
compliance with the PDMP. Compliance means that people have
registered with the PDMP, which had been a problem and issue
with the legislative audit.
SENATOR BEGICH said that was the quantified answer he was
looking for. He is curious about the role of Medical Board in
the pandemic approach in terms of vaccines. Dr. Wein has made
public statements questioning the efficacy on vaccines. He asked
what Dr. Wein's position is on the vaccines.
DR. WEIN answered that he must backstep one moment. He has a
master's in journalism and knows a lot about journalistic
standards. Journalists are not allowed to complete someone's
sentences or thoughts. There was a complete misrepresentation
because he was not allowed to complete his thought. A news
organization completed it for him. He made no statement. He made
one sentence and was interrupted. He is a big supporter of
vaccines. They are very important, whether they come from Edward
Jenner with the smallpox vaccine to the Messenger RNA-based
vaccines. He is also a supporter of the promotion of safe and
appropriately studied medications, including vaccines. Nobody
knew what he was going to say. He finds that interesting. He is
a supporter in general of vaccines but especially of those that
have been studied and are safe. He has gotten many vaccines
himself.
SENATOR BEGICH said he appreciated the clarification of the
press mistake on the record, but Dr. Wein qualified his
statements. He asked if Dr. Wein believes in the efficacy and
safety of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines
that are now being promoted in the state of Alaska to deal with
COVID-19.
DR. WEIN responded that data that has presented has made it very
effective. That data is appropriate and he believes in that
data. He would also like to point out that pregnant women and
those under 16 were not included in the studies. Very few over
65 were included and comorbidities were eliminated. His full
answer is that it is a great technological advance, utilizing
Messenger RNA as a vaccine. That being said, he looks forward to
more data coming out. Right now a significant percentage of
people are concerned about receiving the vaccine. As time goes
on, the data will come out and there will be greater support for
it.
SENATOR BEGICH asked to avoid putting words in his mouth, is it
fair to say that his is a qualified endorsement of the vaccines.
DR. WEIN replied that he does support the vaccine, especially
for those who are at risk. The data is bifurcated between those
at great risk and those at lesser risk. He has always been for
public health measures that protect people at risk and that
includes getting the vaccine and making sure those individuals
who are at the greatest risk "are first in line."
SENATOR BEGICH said that Dr. Wein is the chair of the Medical
Board and his position carries great weight. That is why he is
asking if it is fair to say that Dr. Wein's is a qualified
endorsement of the vaccines.
DR. WEIN answered that he endorses the vaccine and anxiously
awaits additional data because it is an emergency-use
medication. It is not an approved medication. Every day more
data is accumulated, which he thinks is a good thing.
2:13:41 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony and after ascertaining
there was none, closed public testimony. He moved to nominees
for the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees.
He called on Rhonda Boyles.
2:14:35 PM
RHONDA BOYLES, Appointee, Anchorage, Alaska, said she has lived
44 years in Fairbanks with much public service. She owned and
sold four restaurants. She was mayor of the Fairbanks North Star
Borough. She moved out of state in 2017 because of the need for
medical support for her husband. After he passed away, she sold
her house in Fairbanks and relocated to Anchorage. She has a
diversified resume. As a retiree, she has the time and resources
to volunteer in this capacity. Over the last 14 months, she has
learned how time-consuming serving on the board is. There is a
lot of reading and homework that is directly relative to the
need of managing the trust with diversified skills.
CHAIR WILSON noted the upcoming budget has an overdraw of the
Mental Health Trust Authority funds into general operations. He
asked her thoughts about the trust funding $60 million this
upcoming year for the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API).
MS. BOYLES replied that she believes in process and cannot speak
for the other trustees. The trust beneficiaries are served by
API as well as other people. The process used to move the money
around was the issue for many board members, at least for her.
She does not want to be held liable for making an inappropriate
decision based on how the trust was established in 94 and how
and who has access to the money. She looks forward to seeing
that situation discussed further and how the staff brings it
forward for the board to reconsider it.
CHAIR WILSON clarified for her and the other trustees online
that he is asking for personal thoughts and opinions on that.
SENATOR BEGICH said that Ms. Boyles is legally appointed on
whatever day the governor read over the appointments most
recently. The court case only covered from December 15 to
January 19. She is considered a legitimate reappointment at this
point.
CHAIR WILSON called on Brent Fisher.
2:20:20 PM
BRENT FISHER, Appointee, Anchorage, Alaska, said he is veteran
of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He is board certified in
hospital and medical group management. He is a fellow in the
American College of Healthcare Executives and the American
College of Medical Practice Executives. His career has been
primarily associated with healthcare but includes a wide variety
of organizations. He has published in numerous journals, trade
magazines, and newspapers. He is a big believer in giving back
to the community. He has served on several boards of directors
for professional association as well as civic, business, and
religious organizations.
CHAIR WILSON asked for his viewpoint on using the trust funds to
fund operations at API.
MR. FISHER replied that he is a new member. He was appointed
effective January 18. He is getting up to speed on these issues.
He is reading a lot of material about the settlements and how
the process was defined at that time about the use of funds.
There is a process to use the funds for state initiatives, and
that has been beneficial for starting new programs within the
state. But there is a process that has been defined. As a new
member, he is still evaluating whether that process was
followed. It appears that maybe the process was not followed as
outlined. His concern is that the trust follows whatever the
settlement identified. The trust must sustain the trust fund for
the beneficiaries for the long term and must meet the needs of
state programs as well. That is an ambivalent answer but his
position at this point.
SENATOR BEGICH shared that he was a staff assistant during those
years of negotiation. The idea was that it would be a trust
fund, not a slush fund. That is his editorial. The point of the
lawsuit was the misuse of lands that had been set aside to serve
a population. He asked Mr. Fisher to take the time to read the
extensive history about why the trust was founded. That will be
a critical component for who he supports or does not support for
the trust board because that is what the word trust means. It is
about a trust for the beneficiary groups. The statute that
governs the board, AS 47.30.016, states that a member may not be
an officer or employee of the state of Alaska or within the
preceding two years or during the member's term of office have
an interest in, served on the governing board of, or been
employed by an organization that has received money from the
Mental Health Trust settlement, under grant or contract. He
asked if that is true for Mr. Fisher.
MR. FISHER replied yes, to the best of his knowledge.
CHAIR WILSON called on Annette Gwalthney-Jones.
2:25:42 PM
ANNETTE GWALTHNEY-JONES, Appointee, Anchorage, Alaska, said that
she is a lifelong Alaskan whose father was in the Army. Her
parents gave her the core value of serving her community and
giving back. She has more than 25 years of managerial experience
and leadership in human resources and social services. She has
worked for trust beneficiary-serving organizations, including
the Arc of Anchorage, the Salvation Army-Booth Memorial Home,
and Covenant House. She has a master's in business
organizational management. In 1992 she took a certified course
at the University of Alaska Anchorage and became an emergency
medical technician and a certified instructor in basic
lifesaving, CPR, and first aid, and became part of the Alaska
professional volunteers. She has been a court appointed special
advocate and a foster parent to teens. She married an Air Force
officer and served at various posts. She was part of the Air
Force Key Spouse Program, which is a vital resource for Air
Force families. In 2014 she and her husband returned to Alaska,
and she continued her career as a human resources professional
and continued her volunteer work. These experiences with her
extensive background in human resources bring a relevant
perspective to the work of the trust. She wants to be part of
the board because she felt she had more to offer and could make
more of an impact on her community. She understands the
appointment as trustee is a five-year commitment. Since
September of 2020 she has demonstrated her commitment by making
it to scheduled meetings. She has added insight to a board
working to advance the trust's critical efforts to improve the
lives and circumstances of beneficiaries. She brings her duty of
care ethos to the board.
2:32:35 PM
SENATOR BEGICH asked if the trust met between December 15 and
January 19.
MS. GWALTHNEY-JONES answered that she believes that they did.
SENATOR BEGICH said the decisions made during that time may be
legally questionable because of a court case between the
legislature and the administration on the legitimacy of
appointments. He clarified that her appointment was made in
November.
MS. GWALTHNEY-JONES said November of 2020 was when she came on
board and does not think her appointment is affected.
SENATOR BEGICH said she would not fall into that category
because her appointment was made before the legislature
adjourned. The statute that governs the board, AS 47.30.016,
states that a member may not be an officer or employee of the
state of Alaska or within the preceding two years or during the
member's term of office have an interest in, served on the
governing board of, or been employed by an organization that has
received money from the Mental Health Trust settlement, under
grant or contract. He asked if that is true for Ms. Gwalthney-
Jones.
MS. GWALTHNEY-JONES answered that she has not worked for any
agency the Mental Health Trust supports in the last two years.
CHAIR WILSON called on Anita Halterman, who was also appointed
last year and has served on the board for a year.
2:35:10 PM
ANITA HALTERMAN, Appointee, Eagle River, Alaska, said that she
is happy to be considered for renewal appointment to the trust.
She started in August of 2019. She has held several leadership
roles on the trust. She has been anxiously awaiting
confirmation. Serving on the board has been an amazing journey
that has expanded her knowledge of the mental health needs for
Alaska, budgets, and the many programs offered throughout
Alaska. She enjoys giving back to the community. On the board
she has learned about new strategies and funding opportunities
that can help shape meaningful reform for mental health
programs. She wants to continue the journey. She worked for the
legislature for the 29th session and has been reaching out to
legislators' offices. Sher earned a master's in business. She
worked mainly with the Medicaid program with the Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS) in Iowa and Alaska. In the
1990s the Alaska food stamp program was sanctioned for high
error rates. She trained staff and developed programs to reduce
error rates. She has devoted her lifework to working with
populations that are underserved. She finds it rewarding to
improve programs and systems. She started her own consulting
business and obtained licenses as an insurance producer. She
worked as an information technology sales accountant for a brief
time and now works with a media production company doing sales
and administration work. She has gained a new perspective about
healthcare needs for privately insured individuals and expanded
her understanding of more global workforce issues that Alaska
faces. With her experience, she hopes to reform programs so that
they can be sustained for the populations that need them the
most. She looks forward to improving the lives of beneficiaries
as the trust works in partnership with DHSS and other
stakeholders to build an integrated, comprehensive mental health
program that better meets the needs of trust beneficiaries.
2:39:45 PM
CHAIR WILSON thanked her for her time on the board. Since she
has been on the board longer, she probably understands the
difference in the fund types of the trust. He asked her
viewpoint on using trust funds for API.
MS. HALTERMAN replied that it is a precedent-setting decision.
It has not been done before. She has concerns about statutory
obligations and, frankly, intends to follow state statutes. If
the state statues are not working well for all the parties
involved, then those statutes need to be revisited. The board
must meet obligations as outlined in state statutes. The board
has an obligation to current and future beneficiaries. She is
concerned that inflation-proofing for the trust has not taken
place for many years and the trust does not have the buying
power it would have had had it maintained inflation-proofing
practices. She looks forward to listening to continued
conversations in the legislature about the budget. She is
troubled with the fact that excessive funds in the department
are being returned to general funds at a time that the trust is
being asked to meet some obligations that were met by other
government funding sources in the past. Her hope is that all can
work together to find an agreeable solution, including improving
state statutes that work for all if the statutes are not doing
that.
SENATOR BEGICH said he just received information that on January
14 there was a special meeting of the trust. He asked if
anything was voted on that might be subject to the potential
lawsuit between the legislature and the governor about the power
of appointment.
MS. HALTERMAN answered that there have been no actions of the
full board. There have been committee decisions that have not
been advanced to the full board. The board has unanimous consent
for most issues that come before the board. Even if the legal
challenge were to continue and the two votes stripped subject to
that time period, there would still be the support of the full
board if there was a questionable vote. Since there has been no
meeting and action of the full board, she does not think there
will be any issues subject to that legal challenge.
SENATOR BEGICH said that is encouraging. Her resume states that
from 2016 to the present, she has offered advice to members of
the legislature. To him that is close to state employment. He
asked whether since her appointment on August 2, 2019, she has
engaged in any of that activity, where she says she researched
public policy and budget issues for members of the Alaska
legislature and public officials.
MS. HALTERMAN replied that she has not received any compensation
for any research she has done or any of the input she has given
on any legislative issue. She was involved in the telemedicine
legislation that has been carried in the last couple of years,
primarily weighing in as part of another board in a voluntary
capacity.
SENATOR BEGICH said that is encouraging. The statute that
governs the board, AS 47.30.016, states that a member may not be
an officer or employee of the state of Alaska or within the
preceding two years or during the member's term of office have
an interest in, served on the governing board of, or been
employed by an organization that has received money from the
Mental Health Trust settlement, under grant or contract. He
asked if that is true for Ms. Halterman.
MS. HALTERMAN responded that is true for her.
2:45:02 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO pointed out that page 3 of her resume states
that she advised legislators as needed on a pro bono basis. She
asked what offices Ms. Halterman has been involved in and will
she continue that as she sits on the board.
MS. HALTERMAN replied that she has not taken any paid
assignments for her consulting with legislative offices since
she has been on the board or prior to that. She has done some
research for a good number of legislators and weighed in during
legislative hearings on issues about telemedicine. For example,
Representative Ken McCarty has been considering introducing a
telemedicine bill. She has been talking to his staff about that
legislation in her capacity as a board member for the Alaska
Collaborative for Telemedicine and Telehealth. She gave public
testimony about legislation carried last year by Representative
Spohnholz and answered questions from that office about that
legislation prior to its passage. She did some research on
Medicaid issues for Representative Eastman years ago. She hasn't
had any other involvement that she can recall off the top of her
head.
SENATOR BEGICH said that for a clarifying comment to all
appointees, the issue of the use of the money was raised. There
was a multiyear lawsuit with the trust. He would hate to think
that a potential violation might lead to reopening litigation
around the trust. That must be kept in mind and perhaps the
trustees should have that discussion with legal counsel.
2:47:59 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony and after ascertaining
there was none, closed public testimony. He entertained a
motion.
2:48:28 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Health and Social Studies Standing Committee reviewed the
following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a
joint session for consideration:
State Medical Board
Marie Freeman - Wasilla
Lydia Mielke - Big Lake
Richard Wein - Sitka
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
Rhonda Boyles - Anchorage
Brent Fisher - Anchorage
Annette Gwalthney-Jones - Anchorage
Anita Halterman - Eagle River
She reminded members that signing the reports regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees;
the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection.
2:49:42 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Wilson adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 2:49 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HSS_Anita Halterman Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Anita Halterman Resume_redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Annette R. Gwalthney-Jones Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Brent Fisher Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Brent Fisher Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Lydia Mielke Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to State Medical Board |
| HSS_Maria Freeman Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to State Medical Board |
| HSS_Maria Freeman Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to State Medical Board |
| HSS_Rhonda Boyles Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Rhonda Boyles Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to AMHTABOT |
| HSS_Richard Wein Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees to State Medical Board |
| SB 21 letter of support chugiak fire.pdf |
SHSS 3/4/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 21 |