Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
04/22/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR16 | |
| SB147 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SJR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 22, 2025
3:41 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 JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16
Urging the United States Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting
Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate for policies that
guarantee equitable access to vital healthcare.
- MOVED SJR 16 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 147
"An Act relating to the prescription and administration of drugs
and devices by pharmacists; relating to reciprocity for
pharmacists; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 147
SHORT TITLE: PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL BY REQUEST
03/26/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/26/25 (S) HSS, L&C
04/15/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/15/25 (S) Heard & Held
04/15/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/22/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SJR 16
SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GRAY-JACKSON
04/02/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/02/25 (S) HSS
04/10/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/10/25 (S) Heard & Held
04/10/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/22/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
ELVI GRAY JACKSON, District G
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SJR 16.
BRIAN BRUBAKER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 16.
ERIC HOLLAND, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 147.
AIMEE YOUNG, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 147.
BRITTANY KARNS, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 147.
ASHLEY SCHABER, Chair
Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question on SB 147 concerning
insurance.
BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, Executive Director
Alaska Pharmacists Association
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question on SB 147 concerning
insurance.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:41:17 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:41 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Giessel, Tobin, Hughes, and Chair
Dunbar. Senator Claman arrived thereafter.
SJR 16-FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT
3:41:57 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 16 Urging the United States Congress to pass the
Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate
for policies that guarantee equitable access to vital
healthcare.
3:42:14 PM
ELVI GRAY JACKSON, District G, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of SJR 16 stated that the resolution supports
individuals with congenital anomalies and birth defects who face
lifelong health challenges. Many require multiple surgeries that
can cost families up to $100,000 out of pocket and are often
mischaracterized as cosmetic, despite testimony demonstrating
otherwise. She said by adopting this resolution, the legislature
can promote fairness in health care, protect vulnerable
populations, and send a clear message to the congressional
delegation that the state prioritizes health outcomes and
supports individuals in leading healthy, productive lives.
3:43:19 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SJR 16.
3:43:45 PM
BRIAN BRUBAKER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 16. He explained that his only daughter Emily,
who testified previously, has Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia
(HED). He stated that HED requires costly dental care that is
not covered by private insurance because it is deemed cosmetic
under federal law. He said teeth are essential for speech and
nutrition and should not be deemed cosmetic. He said he found
out that his daughter's HED is hereditary and genetically
dominant, the condition will affect future generations. SJR 16
will have a lasting effect on future generations.
3:43:51 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN arrived at the meeting.
3:45:29 PM
CHAIR DUNBR closed public testimony on SJR 16.
3:45:38 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
3:45:39 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SJR 16, work order 34-LS0788\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:45:56 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and SJR 16 was reported from the
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
3:46:07 PM
At ease.
SB 147-PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY
3:47:40 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 147 "An Act relating to the
prescription and administration of drugs and devices by
pharmacists; relating to reciprocity for pharmacists; and
providing for an effective date."
3:47:58 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL speaking as sponsor of SB 147 provided opening
comments saying the bill establishes a limited framework for
pharmacist-provided patient care services and is a targeted
reform focused on improving access to care. SB 147 does not
expand pharmacists' scope of practice beyond services they are
already educated and trained to provide, nor does it permit
pharmacists to prescribe abortion-inducing medications, which
remains expressly prohibited under current Alaska law. She said
SB 147 allows pharmacists to more fully serve patients within
clearly defined standards of competence and professional
accountability. She said the bill is intended to increase access
to basic care, reduce delays, ease pressure on primary care
providers, lower health care costs, and improve overall health
outcomes. These benefits are supported by existing research
previously reviewed by the committee.
3:49:51 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 147.
3:50:10 PM
ERIC HOLLAND, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 147. He stated that with Alaska not having an in-
state pharmacy program, students are trained through a joint
degree program with Idaho State University. The university has
one of the most expansive pharmacy practice statutes and
regulations. He said students are educated to diagnose, assess,
treat, and manage a range of conditions and expect to practice
at that level after graduation. However, Alaska's more
restrictive regulations limit this practice. He said he has
worked in settings that would be affected by SB 147, including
community pharmacy point-of-care testing and chronic care
management. He stated that he currently works at the Anchorage
Neighborhood Health Center, where pharmacist-managed diabetes
care has strong support from other health care providers.
3:52:15 PM
AIMEE YOUNG, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 147. She said she nearly has 20 years as a
licensed pharmacist and has practiced at the top of her training
through the Indian Health Service. She pioneered a walk-in
pharmacy immunization clinic in 2006 that expanded vaccine
access and increased vaccination rates. More recently, she
specialized in pain management, collaborating with
multidisciplinary teams to provide high-quality, non-opioid care
that reduced opioid use. She said as a trusted medication expert
and accessible health care provider, she urged passage of SB 147
to allow pharmacists to better serve Alaskan communities.
3:54:03 PM
BRITTANY KARNS, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 147. She emphasized that pharmacists complete
extensive training through PharmD programs and are educated to
practice at a high level of clinical knowledge. Working at the
Indian Health Service Clinic in Fairbanks, she described being
regularly sought out by physicians for prescribing guidance,
particularly where integrated clinical pharmacy services are not
otherwise available. She said pharmacists practice within a
defined scope and are not seeking to exceed it, and rather work
fully within the scope, consistent with other states. Granting
prescriptive authority within that scope would help address
provider shortages, relieve physician workload, and expand
access to care in Alaska.
3:56:26 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on SB 147.
3:56:50 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR held SB 147 in committee.
3:57:08 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated she would like to have more information
from the sponsor on how SB 147 would affect malpractice
insurance. She opined that it would be important to know if
malpractice insurance could be a problem.
3:58:49 PM
ASHLEY SCHABER, Chair, Alaska Board of Pharmacy, Anchorage,
Alaska, answered a question on SB 147 concerning insurance. She
replied that pharmacists commonly carry malpractice insurance,
either individually or through their employers. An employer in
Idaho reported to the Board of Pharmacy that expanding
pharmacists' scope of practice did not result in changes to
malpractice insurance. She said as with other health care
professionals, pharmacists are responsible for maintaining
appropriate malpractice coverage.
4:00:05 PM
BRANDY SEIGNEMARTIN, Executive Director, Alaska Pharmacists
Association, Eagle River, Alaska, answered a question on SB 147
concerning insurance. She responded that pharmacists do carry
malpractice insurance, and discussions have been held with
Pharmacists Mutual, a major insurer, regarding this issue. She
offered to provide the committee with a summary of the insurer's
considerations and emphasized the importance of pharmacists
maintaining their own malpractice coverage.
4:00:41 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL commented on a statement that, "if malpractice
insurance is expensive the legislature should care." She stated
that this isn't something the Alaska legislature regulates and
it should be regulated by clinical professionals to determine if
they will perform the expanded services. Each professional has
the option to choose to carry their own malpractice insurance.
The legislature doesn't control malpractice insurance prices.
4:02:13 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dunbar adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 4:02 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 147 & HB 195 - State Medical Board Opposition - 4.17.25.pdf |
SHSS 4/22/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HB 195 SB 147 |