Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
03/27/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB95 | |
| SB121 | |
| SCR2 | |
| SB122 | |
| SJR15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 95 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 27, 2025
3:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Forrest Dunbar, Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair
Senator Matt Claman
Senator Löki Tobin
Senator Shelley Hughes
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 95
"An Act relating to the child care assistance program and the
child care grant program; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 95 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 121
"An Act relating to settlement of health insurance claims;
relating to allowable charges for health care services or
supplies; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 121(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2
Supporting an all-payer crisis continuum of care and Medicaid
reform; and urging the Governor to direct the Department of
Health and the division of insurance to develop recommendations
for an all-payer model for crisis care.
- MOVED SCR 2 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 122
"An Act relating to insurance; establishing standards for health
insurance provider networks; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
Calling on the state's congressional delegation to oppose cuts
to federal spending on Medicaid.
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 88
"An Act relating to placement of a child in need of aid;
relating to adoption; relating to variances for foster care
licenses; relating to the medical records of children in foster
care; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 95
SHORT TITLE: CHILD CARE: ASSISTANCE/GRANTS
SPONSOR(s): HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
02/12/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/25 (S) HSS, FIN
03/14/25 (S) PRIME SPONSOR CHANGED - SENATE HEALTH
AND SOCIAL
03/14/25 (S) SERVICES COMMITTEE REPLACED SENATE
RULES COMMITTEE
03/25/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/25/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/25/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/27/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 121
SHORT TITLE: HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES
SPONSOR(s): GIESSEL BY REQUEST
03/05/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/05/25 (S) HSS, L&C
03/11/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/11/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/11/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/20/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/20/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/27/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SCR 2
SHORT TITLE: SUPPORT CRISIS CARE & MEDICAID REFORM
SPONSOR(s): HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
03/12/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/12/25 (S) HSS, L&C
03/13/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/13/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/13/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/25/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/25/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/25/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/27/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 122
SHORT TITLE: HEALTH INSURANCE NETWORK STANDARDS
SPONSOR(s): GIESSEL BY REQUEST
03/05/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/05/25 (S) HSS, L&C
03/11/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/11/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/11/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/20/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/20/25 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/27/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SJR 15
SHORT TITLE: OPPOSE MEDICAID CUTS
SPONSOR(s): HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
03/19/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/19/25 (S) HSS
03/20/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/20/25 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/25/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/25/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/25/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/27/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
JANE CONWAY, Staff
Senator Cathy Giessel
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the amendments for SB 121.
GARY STRANNIGAN, Vice President
Congressional and Legislative Affairs
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska
Everett, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 122.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:34:46 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Hughes, Giessel, Claman, Tobin, and
Chair Dunbar.
SB 95-CHILD CARE: ASSISTANCE/GRANTS
3:36:13 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 95
"An Act relating to the child care assistance program and the
child care grant program; and providing for an effective date."
3:36:32 PM
CHAIR DUNBR opened public testimony on SB 95; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
3:36:57 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR stated SB 95 is the same as a bill passed last
year.
3:37:05 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
3:37:07 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 95, work order 34-LS0446\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:37:18 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and SB 95 was reported from the
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
3:37:25 PM
At ease.
SB 121-HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES
3:40:37 PM
CHAIR DUNBR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 121 "An Act relating to
settlement of health insurance claims; relating to allowable
charges for health care services or supplies; and providing for
an effective date."
3:40:59 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited a motion.
3:41:02 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 34-
LS0282\N.1.
34-LS0282\N.1
Wallace
3/12/25
A M E N D M E N T 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GIESSEL
TO: SB 121
Page 2, line 14, following "rates":
Insert "for an allowable charge under (a) of this
section"
3:41:12 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR objected for purposes of discussion.
3:41:21 PM
JANE CONWAY, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, offered an explanation of the
amendments for SB 121. She noted that on page 2, line 14,
following the word "rates" was inserted "for an allowable
charge." She stated that the amendment establishes that out-of-
network providers receive the same reimbursement for the same
codes as in-network providers, while allowing in-network
providers to negotiate rates through contracts with insurers.
3:42:37 PM
SENATOR HUGHES sought verification of whether the amendment is
establishing a requirement.
3:42:47 PM
MS. CONWAY replied that the amendment would require the same
reimbursement for the same CPT code regardless of the provider.
3:43:11 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked whether the amendment affected the ability
of in-network physicians to negotiate higher payment than other
clinician types for the same CPT code.
3:43:30 PM
MS. CONWAY replied yes, it is a possible.
3:43:41 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked whether equal protection raised a legal
issue if an advanced nurse practitioner or physician assistant
(PA) in network received a lower negotiated payment than the
same clinician type out of network.
3:44:09 PM
MS. CONWAY replied the question is beyond her expertise.
3:44:29 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL stated that SB 121 addresses reimbursement for
out-of-network providers and does not affect negotiated in-
network contracts.
3:44:52 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR stated that the issue raised appeared practical
rather than constitutional and likely did not implicate equal
protection because the payments resulted from arms-length
negotiations.
3:45:15 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said the legislation applies only to out-of-
network charges and does not affect in-network rates, which are
determined through contract negotiations, including any
differences in payment for different clinician types.
3:46:00 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated that she is concerned that paying nurse
practitioners and PAs the same as physicians for the same
service may undervalue physicians' greater training and
expertise, reduce incentives for efficiency, and eliminate a
cost-saving advantage PAs and nurse practitioners provide in
rural care. She suggested a slightly lower rate for PAs and NPs
could be more appropriate.
3:48:28 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR removed his objection and asked whether there were
further questions.
3:48:40 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked for a recap of the purpose for Amendment 1
(N.1).
3:49:09 PM
MS. CONWAY clarified that the purpose for Amendment 1 was that
legislation applies only to out-of-network providers and does
not affect in-network negotiations.
SENATOR CLAMAN stated that the amendment aligns the language
with the bill's original intent, ensuring consistency.
CHAIR DUNBAR asked if Senator Hughes maintained her objection.
3:49:43 PM
SENATOR HUGHES replied no.
3:49:48 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no further objection and Amendment 1 (N.1)
was adopted.
3:49:51 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited a motion.
3:49:55 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to adopt Amendment 2, work order 34-
LS0282\N.2.
34-LS0282\N.2
Wallace
3/12/25
A M E N D M E N T
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GIESSEL
Page 1, line 14:
Delete "and must be the same across the state"
Insert ", must be the same across the state, and
be the greater of the allowable charge or 450 percent
of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services fee schedule for the state in effect at the
time of delivery of the health care service or supply"
Page 2, lines 4 - 7:
Delete "Allowable charges for primary care
providers must be the greater of the allowable charge
or 450 percent of the federal Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services fee schedule for the state in effect
at the time of delivery of the health care service or
supply."
3:50:01 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR objected for purposes of discussion.
3:50:06 PM
MS. CONWAY explained Amendment 2 (N.2). She said SB 121
specifies 450 percent of CMS Medicare rates, and the intent was
for all providers to have 450 percent floor as a minimum. To
achieve this, on page 1, line 14, "and must be the same across
the state" was deleted and inserted "must be the same across the
state and be greater of the allowable charge or 450 percent of
the CMS Medicare and Medicaid Services fee schedule in effect at
the time of service delivery." Consequently, page 2, lines 47,
was removed, which previously applied only to primary care,
since the floor now applies to all providers.
3:51:31 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked whether the original bill applied the 450
percent rate only to primary care, but as amended extends to all
medical care providers.
MS. CONWAY replied correct.
3:51:52 PM
SENATOR HUGHES said Amendment 2 is a very big expansion and said
she wanted to maintain her objection because an analysis is
needed on how the change would impact small businesses and 15
percent of the population. She stated her belief that rates
would increase considerably, impacting the cost of insurance.
3:52:26 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR removed his objection and asked if Senator Hughes
maintains objection.
3:52:36 PM
SENATOR HUGHES replied yes.
CHAIR DUNBAR asked for further discussion.
3:52:42 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL explained that after the repeal of the prior
reimbursement rule, no minimum payment floor was established,
leading to sharply reduced reimbursement rates for primary care
cliniciansdown to about 145 percent of Medicare, which is
already low and potentially declining further. As a result,
clinics are struggling to cover rising costs such as supplies,
staffing, and billing services, and some have had contracts
canceled or renegotiated at unsustainable rates. She said these
pressures are causing clinic closures, difficulty recruiting
physicians, and long-standing family-run practices becoming
unsellable. The purpose of establishing a 450 percent Medicare
floor is to stabilize reimbursement, keep primary care clinics
financially viable, and maintain access to healthcare for
Alaskans.
3:55:18 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated that while the sponsor's goal is to ensure
adequate reimbursement for primary care, the expansion would
apply the floor to all medical providers, including specialists,
with unknown impacts on costs. She is concerned this could
increase premiums for insured Alaskans and cannot support SB
121.
3:56:26 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found the objection was maintained and asked for a
roll call vote.
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Giessel, Tobin, Claman, and
Dunbar voted in favor of Amendment 2 (N.2) and Senator Hughes
voted against it. The vote was 4:1.
CHAIR DUNBAR announced that Amendment 2 was adopted on a vote of
4 yeas and 1 nay.
3:57:34 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 121; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
3:57:49 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR asked for closing comments.
3:58:01 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said he viewed SB 121 as important. He expressed
frustration with the lack of transparency in how reimbursement
rates are set and disclosed by insurers and state agencies. He
noted difficulty obtaining meaningful rate information and
related this difficulty to the confusion over medical bills that
consumers face. He criticized the punitive nature of the current
185 percent Medicare out-of-network rate. He said he is
concerned about whether a 450 percent Medicare floor could
exceed existing contract rates, noting that supporters claim it
would not, but he lacks sufficient data to make an informed
decision.
4:00:53 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said he is unconvinced that 450 percent of
Medicare is always below contract rates and wants clearer,
procedure-specific data to evaluate the impact. He supported the
bill's advancement and praising its design but stressed the need
for transparent rate comparisons to ensure out-of-network
payments do not exceed in-network rates. He cited broader
frustration with the lack of accessible healthcare cost
information.
4:02:16 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated her concern that reinstating a
reimbursement floor so soon after repealing the 80th percentile
rule could again drive-up healthcare costs. She noted historical
cost increases and questioning how the percentile rule was
previously characterized. She emphasized that the affected
population is largely small business owners who already struggle
to provide insurance and warned that SB 121 lacks sufficient
data and clarity on several technical issues. She acknowledged
the need for providers and access to care, she argued the
proposal is premature, undermines free-market principles, and
could harm Alaskans without further analysis and dialogue among
insurers and providers.
4:06:06 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that past analyses, including Milliman
studies, showed specialists such as orthopedists were reimbursed
well above Medicare without causing excess payments and that
high healthcare costs in Alaska are driven more by insurance
expenses than provider reimbursement. She argued SB 121 would
protect patients from high out-of-network bills, encourage
providers to join networks, and ultimately protect both
clinicians and consumers.
4:08:52 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
4:08:55 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 121, work order 34-LS0282\N,
as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:09:10 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and CSSB 121(HSS) was reported
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
4:09:15 PM
At ease.
SCR 2-SUPPORT CRISIS CARE & MEDICAID REFORM
4:11:05 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 2 Supporting an all-payer crisis continuum of
care and Medicaid reform; and urging the Governor to direct the
Department of Health and the division of insurance to develop
recommendations for an all-payer model for crisis care.
4:11:33 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SCR 2; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
4:11:49 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR explained that Anchorage has worked for years on
developing a crisis response continuum, including mobile crisis
teams, but emphasized that these teams require supporting
services and facilities to function effectively. He noted that
providers are attempting to open crisis facilities but face
billing challenges, and expressed hope for unified support to
advance Crisis Now and the broader continuum of care statewide.
4:13:07 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN expressed support for the resolution, noting
prior legislative work on related crisis care measures,
including Senate Bill 120 and House Bill 172, and views this
resolution as a continuation of those important efforts.
4:13:53 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
4:13:54 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SCR 2, work order 34-LS0644\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
4:14:10 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and SCR 2 was reported from the
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
4:14:18 PM
At ease.
SB 122-HEALTH INSURANCE NETWORK STANDARDS
4:16:04 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 122 "An Act relating to
insurance; establishing standards for health insurance provider
networks; and providing for an effective date."
4:16:27 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 122.
4:16:55 PM
GARY STRANNIGAN, Vice President, Congressional and Legislative
Affairs, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, Everett,
Washington, testified in opposition to SB 122 and paraphrased
the following:
[Original punctuation provided.]
At Premera, we feel that efforts to promote the
affordability of our products are key to continuing to
be able to provide care for our customers. This is
because affordability has become the highest bar a
person must clear, in order to gain access to health
insurance and health care services.
SB 122 would put in place the most restrictive network
adequacy system of any state in the United States. If
(a big if) a carrier could actually comply with the
measure's provisions, it would certainly be at a very
high cost.
Invited testimony from Mr. Jeff Davis indicated that
this bill is intended to address a problem that does
not yet exist: narrow networks in Alaska. Premera has
the broadest network of any carrier in the state and
we don't foresee a narrow network in our future.
Further, from what we can tell, our competitors don't
employ narrow networks either. This bill is not
needed.
4:17:59 PM
MR. STRANNIGAN continued with his testimony for SB 122:
Mr. Davis also suggested to the committee that there
are no network adequacy requirements in place in
Alaska. While it is true that Alaska is one of 18
mostly rural states that does not have a state-
specific set of requirements for network adequacy, the
federal government does have network adequacy
requirements for Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) under
the Affordable Care Act (ACA) including those that
serve Alaskans. Premera complies with these
requirements for our individual health plans, and by
extension, the rest of our lines of business do so as
well. This is because we essentially have one
(compliant) network for all our products
To touch on a few of the bill's problematic
provisions:
-In the case of both the 100 percent threshold for
facilities, and the 95 percent threshold for specialty
providers, virtually every provider will have the
opportunity to hold a health plan hostage. The
provider will be able demand whatever rate they want.
If the health plan would like to do business in
Alaska, the health plan must agree. This provision
will have an upward spiraling effect on costs, if not
completely crash the health insurance marketplace
all it would take to disqualify a carrier is for one
provider to refuse to contract and that carrier does
not comply. This is to say nothing of the small subset
of providers to do not, under any circumstances
contract with insurance companies. Would they also
carry a veto over health carriers? Under the bill,
carriers would need to contract with 95 percent of
specialty and subspecialty providers in an area. In
many instances, the number of specialty and
subspecialty providers in an area can be counted on
one hand. Mathematically, a carrier would need to
contract with five out of five providers and if just
one declines, that carrier does not meet the 95
percent threshold and is disqualified from doing
business in Alaska.
-There is no exception in the bill for poor quality
providers/facilities or those providers who have
previously been excluded from a carrier network due to
fraud concerns. By requiring carriers to contract with
them, it will subject members to potentially low-
quality care and/or fraudulent behavior. In
conclusion, we urge the legislature to set SB 122
aside and instead focus on the countless other, in
many cases, serious, pressing problems currently
confronting the Alaska legislature. There is no sense
investing effort in a problem that is purely
theoretical; especially when the proposed solution is
so costly.
4:19:29 PM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that the proposal may impose one of the
strictest network adequacy standards in the nation and asked
what the federal requirements are for the Affordable Care Act.
4:19:51 PM
MR. STRANNIGAN said he is hearing two questions. One question is
about the network adequacy requirements under the Affordable
Care Act and the second question is about the state
requirements.
4:20:14 PM
SENATOR HUGHES replied that she primarily wants to know the
federal requirements and how Alaska compares to other states if
SB 122 is passed.
4:20:34 PM
MR. STRANNIGAN said the proposal would set uniquely strict
network adequacy standards, including a 100 percent requirement
for facilities and a 95 percent requirement for specialties,
effectively forcing insurers to contract with nearly all
providers. He noted that no other state has comparable
requirements and offered to provide information on Affordable
Care Act standards if requested.
4:21:56 PM
SENATOR HUGHES requested the additional information.
4:22:00 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said the bill is often described as a narrow
network bill. He asked whether there are states with narrow
network laws that are acceptable from an insurance perspective,
or as a representative of Premera are all narrow network bills
unacceptable.
4:22:28 PM
MR. STRANNIGAN replied that Premera operates in Washington and
Alaska, with Washington's insurance department proud of its
robust network adequacy laws. He suggested there is currently no
need for narrow network laws in Alaska if there are no narrow
networks. He offered to research narrow network laws to provide
a clearer overview of available options.
4:23:33 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked if he could provide an overview in a couple
of days.
MR. STRANNIGAN replied that he could deliver some data in a few
days.
4:24:10 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on SB 122.
4:24:23 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR held SB 122 in committee.
SJR 15-OPPOSE MEDICAID CUTS
4:24:36 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 15 Calling on the state's congressional
delegation to oppose cuts to federal spending on Medicaid.
4:24:44 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR stated he had hoped to adopt a committee substitute
for SJR 15, but didn't receive a draft in time for today's
meeting.
4:24:54 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR stated that he has conceptual amendments for
discussion but does not plan to introduce them now, preferring
to include them in a committee substitute (CS). He hoped to
discuss and answer questions before being absent next Tuesday,
so the CS can be smoothly adopted in his absence.
4:25:40 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR invited Senator Tobin to speak to Amendment 1.
4:25:48 PM
SENATOR TOBIN spoke to her Amendment 1, noting that the medical
needs and care of some Alaskans are 100 percent federally
reimbursed. She opined that if there were changes to Medicaid
they may not have access to preventive or acute services at any
time. She said Amendment 1 highlights the full impact to
Alaskans if changes to Medicaid through SJR 15 were fulfilled.
4:26:48 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR speaking to Amendment 2:
Goes to a comment that Senator Hughes made about 880
billion versus 2 trillion. There are some folks that
think that there are ways to measure, it in which it
is 2 trillion, but I went with your number of Senator
Hughes. I think 880 billion has become sort of what
people are talking about and understand it to be. That
is the amount that they expect to have to find within
the budget reconciliation process. I also deleted "to
fund tax breaks for the wealthy." I do think that that
is a factual statement, but I don't want us to get
into the controversies around tax policy. Ultimately
this is about Medicaid and its importance to Alaska's
economy and to our health. So, I am deleting that
verbiage out of there.
4:27:36 PM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that a testifier mentioned the $880 billion
figure applies over ten years, and she asked if it would be
appropriate to include that timeframe in the amendment.
4:27:53 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR replied that he would talk offline and talk with
legislative legal to get the CS in on time.
4:28:17 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stressed the importance of avoiding Medicaid cuts
for vulnerable populations while considering restructuring to
encourage able-bodied, working-age adults to move to employer-
based insurance, highlighting that nearly a third of Alaskans
are on Medicaid, which poses a significant budget burden. She
asked if the committee is interested in saying no to Medicaid
cuts.
4:30:11 PM
SENATOR TOBIN noted that while about 30 percent of Alaskans are
on Medicaid, roughly 5 percent are Alaska Native with fully
federally funded coverage, and 815 percent of able-bodied
adults, some with disabilities, also access Medicaid. She
acknowledged the complexity of these distinctions and the
difficulty of fully capturing them in a resolution, providing
context rather than opposition.
4:31:31 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL referenced the annual Mesa Medicaid report,
noting a gap between those eligible and those actually accessing
services. She asked what portion of these are able-bodied adults
who might work but avoid raises to maintain Medicaid coverage in
case of job-related injuries.
4:32:27 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR acknowledged concerns about able-bodied Medicaid
recipients and work requirements, noting that such issues are
complex and not fully captured in the resolution. He supported
moving forward with the current version, anticipating that
amendments addressing these concerns could be debated later, but
he does not plan to introduce one.
4:33:51 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR held SJR 15 in committee.
4:34:18 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dunbar adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 4:34 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 121 Support Emails Batch 2 3.25.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB 121 Support Batch 3 3.25.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB121 Opposition AK Chamber 3.20.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB 121 Opposition Olson 3.18.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB 121 Opposition NABIP AK 3.19.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB 121 Opposition Lamp 3.20.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB 121 Opposition Izer 3.20.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB 121 Comparison Then and Now.jmc.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| SB122 Health Insurance Networks Opposition Letter SHSS 3.25.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 122 |
| Alaska SB 122 Comment Letter Premera.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 122 |
| N.1.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |
| N.2.pdf |
SHSS 3/27/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 121 |