HB 310-STATE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM  1:35:34 PM CHAIR DAVIS announced that the first order of business would be HB 310. She recognized Senator Giessel in attendance. SENATOR EGAN noted that CSHB 310(FIN), version I, was before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, sponsor of HB 310, presented the bill. He thanked several people for their work on the bill, including Senators Giessel and Olson. He related that the Alaska Immunization Program was once under the watch of the late Senator Ted Stevens. In 2010 federal monies for immunization dropped from $4.3 million to $700,000. He said it was time that Alaskans figure out how to run a fully funded immunization program. He related that SB 144 is just a temporary act and over the next few years the legislature will figure out how to provide an immunization program for Alaska. The Health Care Commission does not endorse any legislation, but does support a program for immunization for disease prevention. He pointed out that the legislation does not affect a family's choice to not vaccinate their children. 1:38:53 PM SENATOR EGAN noted there was an attached fiscal note. SENATOR MEYER recalled hearing SB 144 previously and wondered if HB 310 was different. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON explained that both bills were once nearly identical. The House Finance version [I] includes a list of school-required vaccines plus, on page 3, line 5, meningococcal rotavirus, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines, as well as zoster, or shingles, on line 8. Lines 9 through 15 give the responsibility and the authority to the commissioner to add vaccines or subtract vaccines based upon criteria. Lines 16 through 20 provide that if there is scientific evidence a vaccine can be subtracted. Lines 19 and 20 provide that if the revenue stream declines, vaccines can be dropped from the recommended list. He noted that the bill passed the House 37 to 0. 1:41:48 PM WARD HURLBURT, M.D., Director, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services, testified during the hearing of HB 310. He noted that there have been more than 600 cases of whooping cough in Washington State and about 35 in Idaho. The funding from the bill will enable Alaska to protect the 25 percent of children for whom there are no other resources, which will, in turn, protect the whole population. 1:43:03 PM GEORGE RHYNEER, M.D., Alaska Physicians and Surgeons, testified in support of HB 310. He emphasized that the bill provides so much for so little. He called it an extremely cost-effective way of improving the health of Alaskans and it is the humane thing to do. MARIE DARLIN, AARP, testified in support of SB 310. She noted a letter of support by AARP. She discussed how important it is to have free immunizations for older citizens. She mentioned the large number of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren and the importance of vaccinating their grandchildren. 1:46:59 PM CHAIR DAVIS noted that the committee heard Senator Giessel's companion bill to HB 310. She closed public testimony. SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHB 310(FIN), version I, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 310(FIN) was reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.