SB 169-IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM; VACCINE ASSESSMENTS  3:04:10 PM CHAIR HIGGINS announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 169(FIN), "An Act establishing in the Department of Health and Social Services a statewide immunization program and the State Vaccine Assessment Council; creating a vaccine assessment account; requiring a vaccine assessment from assessable entities and other program participants for statewide immunization purchases; repealing the temporary child and adult immunization program; and providing for an effective date." 3:04:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to adopt the House committee substitute (HCS) for CSSB 169, labeled 28-LS1219\D, Mischel, 4/7/14. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 3:04:46 PM TOM STUDLER, Staff, Representative Pete Higgins, Alaska State Legislature, paraphrased from the Sectional Analysis for the house committee substitute for CSSB 169, Version D [Included in members' packets], which read: Section 1. Establishes a Statewide Immunization Program with a State Vaccine Assessment Council; sets requirements for vaccine assessments, reporting and penalties for assessable entities and other program participants; and creates a vaccine assessment account. Section 2. Definitions. Section 3. Amends Title 21 (Insurance) to require assessable entities to provide information and pay assessments. Section 4. Adds the vaccine assessment account to the list of program receipts authorized in the budget. Section 5. Repeals this act on January 1, 2021. Section 6. Repeals Ch. 24 SLA 2012. Section 7. Redirects the unobligated funds from Ch. 24 SLA 2012 to be deposited into the vaccine assessment account. Section 8. Makes the effective date January 1, 2015. CHAIR HIGGINS asked for clarification that the January 1 date, a calendar year, was for accounting purposes for the assessable entities. MR. STUDLER explained that the effective date would allow this to coincide with the assessable entities and providers fiscal year. It would also allow Department of Health and Social Services the opportunity to use the existing funds in the House Bill 301 account before this effective date. 3:07:38 PM MR. STUDLER paraphrased from the Explanation of changes for the House CS for CS SB 169\D [Included in members' packets], which read: Section 1. Adds Article 1A Statewide Immunization Program to AS 18.09. Sec. 18.09.200(a). Establishes a statewide immunization program in the Department for the purpose of monitoring, purchasing, and distributing vaccines to providers. Sec. 18.09.200(b). The Department of Health and Social Services shall maintain a list of recommended vaccines for inclusion in the program; establish the 1st year's assessment & thereafter make annual assessments based on commission determinations; notify insurers and other program participants of the assessment amount; devise a method for crediting overpayments; coordinate the bulk purchase of vaccine; set procedures for distributing vaccines; and review appeals for errors. Sec. 18.09.210. Establishes the State Vaccine Assessment Council within HSS for the purpose of determining the assessment amount. The council has 8 members appointed by the Commissioner: the state's Chief Medical Officer (chair); Director of Division Insurance; 3 health care insurers, one of whom must be a plan administrator; 2 health care providers, one of which must be a pediatrician; and 1 representing a tribal or public health insurance plan who serve without compensation or reimbursement of expenses. Terms are 3 years with a 2- term limit. HSS will provide staff and other assistance to the council. The commission establishes and implements a plan of operation, submits an annual financial report to HSS each July 1st, and monitors compliance with the program. Sec. 18.09.210(b)(1) the department's chief medical officer for public health or the chief medical officer's designee, who shall serve as the chair; Sec. 18.09.210(f)(2). Requires an annual financial report to the commissioner and legislature. Sec. 18.09.220(a) Establishes the vaccine assessment and reporting requirements after being phased into the program by the commissioner. Sec.18.09.220(e). An assessable entity may opt out of the program during the three year phase-in period. Sec. 18.09.225(a). Allows health care providers to opt into the program to purchase vaccine. Sec. 18.09.225(b) a health care provider who did not opt into the program may not be denied a claim from an assessable entity. Sec. 18.09.225(c) a health care provider cannot bill a payer or resell a vaccine distributed under the program. Sec. 18.09.230. Creates a special account in the general fund for the purpose of purchasing vaccines. The legislature may appropriate program receipts from vaccine assessments, money from other sources, and interest earned. Appropriations do not lapse. Sec. 18.09.240. Allows the commissioner to determine a monetary penalty for noncompliance. Section 2. 18.09.990. Defines the terms assessable  entity, commissioner (Health & Social Services),  council, covered individual, other program  participant, program, provider, recommended vaccine,  and vaccine.    Section 3. Requires assessable entities to provide  information to the department under (AS 21.09.242)    Section 4. Adds the vaccine assessment account to the  list of special accounts for program receipts in (AS  37.05.146(c)    Section 5. repeals this act on January 1, 2021    Section6. Repeals Ch. 24, SLA 2012 (HB310), a  temporary statewide immunization program.    Section 7. Redirects the remaining HB310 funds to be  deposited to the vaccine account.    Section 8. Makes the act effective January 1, 2015.  3:09:17 PM CHAIR HIGGINS referred to an earlier discussion regarding the window of opportunity for an assessable entity to opt out of the program, pointing out that the opt out was no longer voluntary, but would now be up to the discretion of the commissioner for determination of the time period. 3:10:18 PM [Chair Higgins closed public testimony.] SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, Alaska State Legislature, said that this was a small but important step in reducing the health care costs for Alaskans, as well as a step toward fulfillment of the goals of the Alaska Health Care Commission. 3:11:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HCS CSSB 169, Version 28- LS1219\D, Mischel, 4/7/14, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection HCS CSSB 169(HSS) was moved from the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.