SB 156-INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CONTRACEPTIVES                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:36:26 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEDMAN announced the consideration of SB 156.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:36:56 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR ELLIS moved to adopt CSSB 156, labeled 29-LS1144\N.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEDMAN objected for discussion.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:37:13 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BERTA  GARDNER, Alaska State  Legislature, sponsor  of SB                                                               
156.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
KATIE  BRUGGEMAN,  Staff,  Senator Berta  Gardner,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature,  presented changes  made  in version  N  of SB  156,                                                               
noting there  were several  errors in  the previous  version. The                                                               
wording "over  the counter contraception" was  removed throughout                                                               
the bill,  which resulted  in the  removal of  a fiscal  note for                                                               
$1.3  million  from  Department of  Health  and  Social  Services                                                               
(DHSS).                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:38:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEDMAN removed his objection.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:38:33 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. BRUGGEMAN  explained that  the bill  is an  insurance mandate                                                               
that  would offer  the option  of  providing 12  months of  self-                                                               
administered  hormonal  contraception.  It  would  allow  Alaskan                                                               
women   the   opportunity  to   receive   a   larger  supply   of                                                               
contraceptives  should  their life-style  require  it.  It is  an                                                               
option for women.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
She pointed  out that there  is currently a negative  fiscal note                                                               
from DHSS of  $1.2 million in FY  17. It is a  federal savings of                                                               
$1 million and  $230,000 in GF savings via  the Medicaid program.                                                               
She  explained that  there are  many reasons  women use  hormonal                                                               
contraceptives,  not just  to  prevent  pregnancy. She  concluded                                                               
that the bill  is great policy for Alaska because  it helps women                                                               
achieve  their  education  and  career  goals  through  strategic                                                               
family planning and is a  positive economic step for families. It                                                               
fosters a woman's right to privacy and aids in convenience.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:41:04 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GARDNER  noted this  is  not  a new  insurance  coverage                                                               
benefit.  It provides  that after  a three-month  period for  the                                                               
first dispensing, if a doctor  deems it satisfactory to continue,                                                               
a women can request a  12-month supply of contraceptives, if they                                                               
choose. They  would have to  pay insurance co-pays, but  may save                                                               
money by buying in bulk.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:41:49 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  ELLIS  moved  to  report   CSSB  156(HSS),  labeled  29-                                                               
LS1144\N,  from  committee  with individual  recommendations  and                                                               
attached  fiscal  note.  There  being no  objection,  the  motion                                                               
carried.