HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE April 10, 2014 6:22 p.m. 6:22:07 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 6:22 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Alan Austerman, Co-Chair Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair Representative Mark Neuman, Vice-Chair Representative Mia Costello Representative Bryce Edgmon Representative Les Gara Representative David Guttenberg Representative Lindsey Holmes Representative Cathy Munoz Representative Steve Thompson Representative Tammie Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT None ALSO PRESENT Brodie Anderson, staff, Representative Thompson; David Scott, Staff, Senator Olson; PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Dr. Cary Keller, Orthopedic Surgeon, Fairbanks; SUMMARY HB 160 LICENSING OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS CSHB 160 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. SB 135 EXTEND ALASKA HEALTH CARE COMMISSION SB 135 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note from the Department of Health and Social Services. HOUSE BILL NO. 160 "An Act relating to the licensing and regulation of athletic trainers." 6:22:36 PM Co-Chair Stoltze discussed the schedule. He stated that the new CS would quicken the transmittal. Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee substitute for HB 160, Work Draft 28-LS0423\P, (Martin, 4/10/14). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Wilson MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1 28- LS04223\O.1, Martin, 4/10/14: Page 2, line 25, following "the": Insert "direct" Page 3, line 30: Delete "direction" Insert "direct supervision" Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for discussion. Representative Wilson discussed the amendment. She hoped that the amendment spoke to constituent concerns that if a doctor was a coach they would have to also be a qualified athletic trainer in order to treat an injured athlete. 6:26:10 PM Representative Thompson expressed opposition to the amendment. He stated that "direct supervision", as defined by Medicare, meant that "the physician or non-physician practitioner must be present on the same campus where the services were being furnished." He feared that the amendment would restrict fitness trainers in performing their job. 6:27:55 PM Vice-Chair Neuman did not understand why a licensed athletic trainer would be necessary if there was a physician available. 6:28:44 PM DR. CARY KELLER, ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), detailed his credentials. He testified that athletic trainers went through a long curriculum and had many hours of practical experience in order to be nationally certified. He said that they were capable of assessing and properly treating injuries. He relayed that doctors could not be counted on to be at every game and practice and having a certified athletic trainer there meant that there was a highly skilled and qualified person available. 6:30:45 PM Dr. Keller stated that if licensure in the state meant that the physician had to be with the trainer all of the time in order for the trainer to conduct their work, it would be tremendously restrictive. 6:33:18 PM Representative Holmes understood that the testifier liked the bill but was not in favor of the amendment. Dr. Keller replied in the affirmative. 6:33:39 PM Representative Wilson reiterated her concern that an athletic coach, who also happened to be a doctor, would have to be a certified athletic trainer to treat an injured team member, under the law. 6:34:31 PM BRODIE ANDERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON, said that the physician would be covered under the subsection found on Page2, line 5. Representative Wilson expressed frustration that her question was being misunderstood. She asked what if the doctor/coach asked a parent to care for the injury, would the parent have to be an athletic trainer. 6:35:37 PM Mr. Anderson said that the parent would be protected as long as they did not call themselves an athletic trainer. Representative Wilson WITHDREW Amendment 1. 6:36:26 PM Representative Thompson asked where in the state athletic trainers were trained. Dr. Keller replied that Alaska did not offer the curriculum to complete a major in athletic training. The Alaska activities association recommended that all schools have an athletic trainer available. He said that the Alaska Activities Association was working to establish a curriculum at the University of Alaska. Representative Thompson stated that he would like to see the training be available in Alaska. 6:39:27 PM Representative Thompson MOVED to REPORT CSHB 160 (FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. CSHB 160 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note from Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. 6:41:50 PM SENATE BILL NO. 135 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Health Care Commission; and providing for an effective date." 6:41:57 PM DAVID SCOTT, STAFF, SENATOR OLSON, testified that the bill would extended the date of the commission for three years. Co-Chair Stoltze OPENED public testimony. 6:44:07 PM Co-Chair Stoltze CLOSED public testimony. Representative Costello discussed the fiscal note from the Department of Health and Social Services. Co-Chair Stoltze noted that there had been a renewed commitment by the commission to honor the recommendations found in the audit from the Division of Legislative Audit. Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to REPORT SB 135 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note(s). SB 135 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note from the Department of Health and Social Services. ADJOURNMENT 6:46:28 PM The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.