SB 37-RENEWAL OF VACCINE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM  3:14:00 PM CO-CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 37(FIN), "An Act relating to the statewide immunization program; and providing for an effective date." 3:14:40 PM SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 37, paraphrased from the following sponsor statement [original punctuation provided]: Senate Bill 37 reauthorizes the statewide immunization program in the Department of Health and Social Services, which is scheduled for repeal January 1, 2021. Established in 2014, via Senate Bill 169, the program monitors, purchases and distributes all childhood vaccines and select adult vaccines to providers, making access to vaccines universal for all Alaskans. By 2018, the program covered more than 333,000 Alaskans, 45 percent of the total population. Next to clean drinking water and good nutrition, vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health intervention. The statewide immunization program is fully funded by the state Vaccine Assessment Account through assessments (upfront fees) from health plans and insurers. There are no undesignated general funds needed for this program. The state leverages its buying power to purchase vaccines in bulk using the fees collected from healthcare payers. The state distributes that vaccine to providers who then administer them at no charge, improving health and wellbeing while lowering overall vaccine costs by 20 -30 percent. Through the statewide immunization program, Alaska continues to demonstrate leadership in creating innovative solutions for difficult public health issues. Out of the 11 universal vaccine purchase programs in the United States, Alaska is the only state to allow providers to receive state supplied vaccine for uninsured adults, enabling greater vaccine access for Alaska adults. Alaska's immunization program is an example of a successful public-private partnership that ensures Alaskans a healthier future at the lowest possible cost. The department reduces vaccine - preventable diseases, and providers have improved health outcomes for their patients and easier vaccine stock management. The insurers pay less to vaccinate individuals; we all save more money in the long run due to decreased medical costs from vaccine- preventable diseases. SENATOR GISSEL further explained the original program was voluntary, therefore, the bill removes the term "phase in program over a three-year period" and provisions for opting out of the program. She said the program has been highly successful and uses no general funds. Senator Gissel noted there is virtually no opposition to the bill albeit, initially, the bill was opposed because the program includes vaccines for adults and children. 3:17:57 PM CO-CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened public testimony on SB 37. 3:18:23 PM KEN HELANDER, Alaska Director of Advocacy, AARP Alaska, expressed AARP Alaska's continuing support for the original program and for SB 37. The assessment program is a proven and effective model for cost containment, efficiency, and sensitivity to rural needs. Also, AARP Alaska supports the inclusion of adults in the program because not being vaccinated is a threat to the health of older adults. He said the public health interests of the state are served by a coordinated universal vaccine access program; in addition, AARP Alaska believes the program gives more flexibility to the [commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)] in response to an outbreak of communicable disease. He restated AARP Alaska's support for the passage of the bill. 3:19:43 PM CO-CHAIR ZULKOSKY, after ascertaining no one further wished to testify, closed public testimony. 3:19:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE TARR moved to report [CSSB 37(FIN)], labeled 31- LS0162\S, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, [CSSB 37(FIN)] was reported out of the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.