ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND  VETERANS' AFFAIRS  October 23, 2003 1:20 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Bob Lynn, Chair Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair (via teleconference) Representative Nancy Dahlstrom Representative Sharon Cissna Representative Max Gruenberg MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Hugh Fate Representative Bruce Weyhrauch OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT    Representative Kevin Meyer Representative Les Gara Representative Harry Crawford Representative Eric Croft COMMITTEE CALENDAR  OVERVIEW: LEARN ABOUT AND EXAMINE THE PROCEDURES, STANDARDS OF CARE, PERSONAL SAFETY, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CARE PLANS FOR RESIDENTS OF ALASKA PIONEERS' HOMES WITH A CASE STUDY EMPHASIS ON MILITARY VETERANS TAPES    03-11, SIDE(S) A & B 03-12, SIDE(S) A CHAIR BOB LYNN convened the meeting of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs at 1:20 p.m. Representatives Lynn, Masek (via teleconference), Dahlstrom, Cissna, and Gruenberg were present at the call to order. Representatives Meyer, Gara, Crawford, and Croft were also in attendance. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION  MARTY MARGESON, legal representative to William Margeson, testified on his behalf regarding grievances issued on the quality of care received at the Anchorage Pioneers' Home. RON COWAN, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Department of Revenue, testified, giving a brief overview regarding his role in investigations in general, and with William Margeson in particular. SUSAN ARMSTRONG, Deputy Long Term Care Ombudsman, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Department of Revenue, testified. LISA CARESS-BEU, Senior Advocate for the Center for Advocacy and Rights of the Elderly (CARE), testified. She stated her affiliation with Mr. Margeson and elaborated on his subsequent grievances with the home. [David Frain, administrator of the Anchorage Pioneers' Home, Division of Alaska Longevity Programs, and John Vowell, director of the Division of Alaska Longevity Programs, were invited but absent.] The committee discussed the possibility of future legislation to improve the grievance process, with emphasis on the linkage between the long-term care ombudsman and the licensing board. Public testimony followed.   ANNOUNCEMENTS  There were no announcements. COMMITTEE ACTION  The committee took no action. ADJOURNMENT  NOTE: The meeting was recorded. A copy of the tape(s) and witness register(s) may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.