05/01/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB178 | |
| SB45 | |
| SCR4 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 178 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 45 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
May 1, 2025
3:30 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. 178
"An Act relating to early intervention services for certain
children; relating to optional services under the medical
assistance program; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 45
"An Act relating to medical assistance services; relating to
parity in mental health and substance use disorder coverage in
the state medical assistance program; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED SB 45 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4
Designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month; and
designating May 4 - 10, 2025, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness
Week.
- MOVED SCR 4 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 178
SHORT TITLE: EXPAND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES
SPONSOR(s): HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
04/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/22/25 (S) HSS, FIN
04/29/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/29/25 (S) Heard & Held
04/29/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
05/01/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 45
SHORT TITLE: MEDICAID MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
SPONSOR(s): DUNBAR
01/22/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/17/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) HSS, FIN
01/28/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/28/25 (S) Heard & Held
01/28/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/03/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/03/25 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/10/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/10/25 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/24/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/24/25 (S) Heard & Held
04/24/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/29/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/29/25 (S) Heard & Held
04/29/25 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
05/01/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SCR 4
SHORT TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH MONTH; TARDIVE DYSK WEEK
SPONSOR(s): GRAY-JACKSON
04/15/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/15/25 (S) HSS
05/01/25 (S) HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
NIAMH DARDIS, Director
Infant Learning Program
Resource, Education, Advocacy, Collaboration,
and Housing Organization (REACH)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 178.
STEPHANIE TUCKER, Director
Infant Learning Program
Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 178.
MARK LACKEY, Executive Director
CCS Early Learning Mat-Su Borough
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 178.
AMI RUDD, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 178.
MICHELLE LOVE, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 178.
HEIDI HAAS, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 178.
SUSAN KESSLER, Research Analyst
Infant Learning Program
Senior and Disabilities Services Division
Department of Health
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 178.
ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered the sectional analysis for SB 45,
version A.
LANCE JOHNSON, Chief Operating Officer
Alaska Behavioral Health Association
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 45.
MAXWELL MERCER, Grants Director
Community Connections
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 45.
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District G
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SCR 4.
ANN RINGSTAD, Executive Director
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SCR 4.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:30 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Giessel, Tobin, Hughes, Claman, and
Chair Dunbar.
SB 178-EXPAND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES
3:31:16 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 178
"An Act relating to early intervention services for certain
children; relating to optional services under the medical
assistance program; and providing for an effective date."
3:31:48 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 178.
3:32:13 PM
NIAMH DARDIS, Director, Infant Learning Program, Resource,
Education, Advocacy, Collaboration, and Housing Organization
(REACH), Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 178. She
emphasized that SB 178 would expand early intervention for
children from birth to age three, improving long-term
educational and life outcomes by identifying developmental
delays earlier. By lowering the eligibility threshold from 50
percent to 25 percent, the bill may serve up to 77 percent more
children, address rising special education needs, support
families and workforce retention, and reduce future costs. SB
178 is widely supported by early childhood advocates, disability
organizations, and families statewide.
3:34:49 PM
STEPHANIE TUCKER, Director, Infant Learning Program, Mat-Su
Services for Children and Adults, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 178. She referenced a recent video highlighting
challenges faced by Infant Learning Program staff and families,
noting that SB 178 would expand services to currently unserved
families and align Alaska's eligibility standards with other
states. She emphasized that funding has remained flat for over a
decade despite rising costs and population growth, and that SB
178 would help stabilize funding and support the increased
capacity required to serve all referred children.
3:36:43 PM
MARK LACKEY, Executive Director, CCS Early Learning Mat-Su
Borough, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of SB 178. He
shared his experiences working with Head Start, foster care, and
long-term board service, described how limited Infant Learning
Program capacity contributes to unmet developmental needs and
challenging behaviors in classrooms. He emphasized that children
under age three rely on ILP for disability determinations,
shared personal examples of children denied early services who
later required long-term special education, and stressed that
ILP has struggled for years to meet growing demand without
sufficient resources.
3:39:07 PM
At ease.
3:39:22 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and continued public
testimony on SB 178.
3:39:46 PM
AMI RUDD, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 178. She described her son being evaluated with a
38 percent developmental delay, making him ineligible for
services under Alaska's 50 percent threshold despite clear
needs. She emphasized long waitlists for private therapy and
expressed concern that her child may fall behind without early
support. She urged lawmakers to ensure state services are
available so children can reach their full potential.
3:41:33 PM
MICHELLE LOVE, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 178. She shared her experience with adopting her
great nephew that was born with drug withdrawal symptoms. She
said he made significant progress after a year in the Infant
Learning Program and lost eligibility after testing at a 28
percent delay. Without continued services, his delays have
worsened, particularly in speech. She said she was reliant on
ILP's expertise to identify needs and support his development.
3:44:02 PM
HEIDI HAAS, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 178. She shared that her daughter, diagnosed with
autism, benefited profoundly from early intervention services,
which empowered the family to support her development. She
progressed from needing significant assistance in kindergarten
to thriving academically and socially, now contributing to her
community. She emphasized that even brief access to these
services had lasting impact, highlighting the importance of
early intervention for individual success and long-term
community and state benefits.
3:47:43 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on SB 178.
3:47:54 PM
SENATOR HUGHES expressed concern about the fiscal note. She said
that staff travel is already occurring under the current 50
percent threshold and requested that this be taken into account
when evaluating the fiscal note. She suggested the independent
learning programs explore funding from the Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority or the Mat-Su Health Foundation to support these
children, emphasizing the importance of helping them thrive.
3:49:20 PM
SENATOR TOBIN referenced fiscal note OMB component 2663, and
noted the fund source labeled "MH" and asked whether this refers
to the Mental Health Trust.
3:49:42 PM
SUSAN KESSLER, Research Analyst, Infant Learning Program, Senior
and Disabilities Services Division, Department of Health,
Fairbanks, Alaska, answered questions on SB 178. She answered
that the Infant Learning Program receives both general fund
mental health dollars and Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
funds for certain special projects.
3:51:05 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR [held SB 178 in committee.]
3:51:13 PM
At ease.
SB 45-MEDICAID MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
3:52:24 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 45 "An Act relating to medical
assistance services; relating to parity in mental health and
substance use disorder coverage in the state medical assistance
program; and providing for an effective date."
3:52:34 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR stated SB 45 was first heard in the Senate Health
and Social Services Standing Committee meeting on January 28,
2025, and on April 24, 2025, when committee substitute (CS)
version I was adopted. He stated he is bringing SB 45, version
A, back before the committee and intends to solicit the will of
the committee in reporting version A from committee.
3:52:55 PM
ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, offered the sectional analysis for
SB 45, version A:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1: The state must provide equal coverage and
access to treatment for behavioral health issues as
for other medical conditions. This is a new subsection
(i) to the state statute that governs services
provided to Medicaid recipients (AS 47.7.030). The new
subsection says the department of health must follow
federal behavioral health parity statutes, which are
listed in the bill.
Section 2: The commissioner of health will comply with
relevant parts of the federal behavioral health law,
and investigating complaints about behavioral health
coverage and checking on possible unequal coverage
including:
1. Reviewing state Medicaid regulations to ensure they
don't cause unequal coverage of behavioral healthcare.
Examples of potential regulations are listed.
2. Comparing how Medicaid coverage works for
behavioral health coverage versus physical health
coverage.
This is a new section to State Medicaid statute (AS
47.07). The new section is 47.07.033 Parity in mental
health and substance use disorder benefits.
3:54:21 PM
MS. WIGGIN continued with the sectional analysis for SB 45:
Section 3: Creates a new reporting requirement for
behavioral health and mental health parity. It
instructs the Department to send a report by March 1
each year to the legislature. The report will:
1. Describe their process for what "medical necessity"
means for both physical and behavioral health
coverage.
2. List the rules limiting behavioral healthcare and
physical healthcare, numerical or nonnumerical.
3. Decide whether the criteria, numerical and non-
numerical, for behavioral health are comparable to
physical health benefits, and if they are applied
equally. This includes:
a. Decisions behind treatment limitations,
including limitations that were rejected.
b. Evidence used to choose treatment limitations.
c. Comparisons between physical and behavioral
health care showing that in practice the treatment
limitations are evenly applied.
d. Share findings that indicate whether the state
Medicaid system is complaint with federal parity
laws.
This is a new subsection (d) to the section of state
statute on reports that the Department of Health must
periodically give to the legislature (AS 47.07.076)
Section 4: requires the Commissioner of Health to
submit a one-time report to the legislature by March
1, 2026. The report must:
1. Explain the methodology used to evaluate if
Alaska's Medicaid program complies with federal
behavioral health parity law.
2. Summarize market review conducted for parity
compliance.
3. Describe any steps taken to fix issues or provide
education to improve compliance.
4. Be written in non-technical, plain language.
5. Be made publicly available online.
This is a new section in the uncodified law.
Section 5: requires the Department of Health to submit
any necessary amendments to the federal government for
approval to update Alaska's Medicaid program to comply
with federal behavioral health parity requirements.
This is a new section in the uncodified law.
Section 6: This section specifies that Sections 1
through 4 will only take effect if the federal
Department of Health and Human Services approves the
state's Medicaid plan amendments by December 31, 2025.
The Commissioner of Health must notify the revisor of
statutes within 30 days of receiving federal approval.
Section 7: If the federal government approves the
Medicaid plan amendments, Sections 1 through 4 will
take effect the day after the federal Department of
Health and Human Services grants approval.
3:56:52 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SB 45.
3:57:10 PM
LANCE JOHNSON, Chief Operating Officer, Alaska Behavioral Health
Association, Talkeetna, Alaska, testified in support of SB 45.
He stated that Alaska's Medicaid program, as a fee-for-service
state, must follow federal parity laws, though current
behavioral health documentation standards are outdated and
overly burdensome. He said these requirements delay care unlike
medical treatment and apply even when providers bill commercial
insurance. SB 45 seeks to align behavioral health standards with
medical care over time, ensuring uniform and timely access while
addressing systemic issues that, if uncorrected, worsen the
behavioral health crisis.
4:00:20 PM
MAXWELL MERCER, Grants Director, Community Connections,
Ketchikan, Alaska, testified in support of SB 45. He highlighted
that the program provides intensive, Medicaid-funded mental
health services for youth at risk of out-of-home placement,
aiming to keep them in the community, support family
reunification, and improve outcomes. However, administrative
burdens limit their capacity, allowing them to serve only 20
percent of referred families.
4:02:40 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on SB 45.
4:02:47 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
4:02:51 PM
At ease.
4:03:25 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting.
4:03:28 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 45, work order 34-LS0146\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
4:03:54 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and SB 45 was reported from the
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
4:04:05 PM
At ease.
SCR 4-MENTAL HEALTH MONTH; TARDIVE DYSK WEEK
4:012 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Designating
May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month; and designating May 4
- 10, 2025, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.
4:06:35 PM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District G, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SCR 4 stated that the resolution
designates May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to promote
understanding, reduce stigma, and support Alaska's 108,000
adults with mental health conditions amid a statewide crisis,
including high suicide rates. SCR 4 also recognizes Tardive
Dyskinesia Awareness Week, May 410, to raise awareness of this
underdiagnosed side effect of long-term antipsychotic use and
foster education and compassion.
4:08:50 PM
ANN RINGSTAD, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI), Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on
SCR 4. She said the resolution recognizes Mental Health
Awareness Month, observed each May since 1949, to promote
understanding, support recovery, and emphasize the importance of
mental wellness at all ages. She stated that SCR 4 highlights
the need for early intervention, strong support systems, and
community connections, while addressing stigma and
discrimination that hinder care. The resolution also raises
awareness of Tardive Dyskinesia, a common medication side
effect, and stresses that timely support and acceptance are
crucial to saving lives and fostering resilience.
4:11:51 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SCR 4; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
4:12:24 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
4:12:26 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SCR 4, work order 34-LS0902\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
4:12:39 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and SCR 4 was reported from the
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
4:13:12 PM
At ease.
4:13:41 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting.
4:13:49 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dunbar adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 4:13 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SCR 4 Version A 4.15.25.pdf |
SHSS 5/1/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SCR 4 |
| SCR 4 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SHSS 5/1/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SCR 4 |
| SCR4 Support Document Mental Health and TD Factsheet.pdf |
SHSS 5/1/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SCR 4 |
| SCR 4 Supporting Document SOA DBHMortality data 1999 to 2023.pdf |
SHSS 5/1/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SCR 4 |
| SCR 4 Supporting Document AlaskaStateFactSheet (5).pdf |
SHSS 5/1/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SCR 4 |
| SCR 4 Supporting Document 2023 Suicide by State 2023 CDC.pdf |
SHSS 5/1/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SCR 4 |