Legislature(1997 - 1998)
1997-05-09 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1997-05-09 Senate Journal Page 1923 SB 122 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 122(L&C) An Act relating to unfair discrimination under a group health insurance policy for services provided by marital and family therapists; and providing for an effective date which had been returned to the Rules Committee (page 1452) was before the Senate on reconsideration. Senator Leman moved that the Senate return to second reading for the purpose of rescinding its previous action in adopting the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute. Without objection, the bill was returned to second reading. Senator Leman moved that the Senate rescind its previous action in adopting the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute (page 1344). Senator Mackie objected. 1997-05-09 Senate Journal Page 1924 SB 122 The question being: Shall the Senate rescind its previous action? The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 122(L&C) Rescind previous action in adopting L&C Committee Substitute YEAS: 13 NAYS: 6 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Adams, Donley, Duncan, Ellis, Hoffman, Leman, Lincoln, Miller, Parnell, Phillips, Taylor, Torgerson, Ward Nays: Green, Halford, Mackie, Pearce, Sharp, Wilken Excused: Kelly Sharp changed from "Yea" to "Nay". and so, the Senate rescinded its previous action. The question being: Shall the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute be adopted? The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 122(L&C) Second Reading Adopt L&C Committee Substitute? YEAS: 4 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Green, Halford, Mackie, Pearce Nays: Adams, Donley, Duncan, Ellis, Hoffman, Leman, Lincoln, Miller, Parnell, Phillips, Sharp, Taylor, Torgerson, Ward, Wilken Excused: Kelly and so, the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute failed to be adopted. SENATE BILL NO. 122 was automatically in third reading on reconsideration. 1997-05-09 Senate Journal Page 1925 SB 122 Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the following Letter of Intent. Letter of Intent for SENATE BILL No. 122 AS 21.36.090(d) and Section 4, ch. 39, SLA 1993, require that no person may practice unfair discrimination against certain health care providers. However, Alaska statutes are not specific in their distinction between fair and unfair discrimination. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Division of Insurance develop regulations by January 15, 1998, to define the distinction between fair and unfair discrimination as those terms relate to the provision of services covered under a group health insurance policy that extends coverage on an expense incurred basis, or under a group service or indemnity type contract issued by a nonprofit corporation, if the service is within the scope of a providers occupational license, taking into account that unfair discrimination does not include: a) requirements imposed by an insurer for purposes of utilization review as defined by the Division; b) requirements imposed by an insurer for purposes of cost containment, as defined by the Division; and c) requirements imposed by an insurer for purposes of setting standards of clinically appropriate health care services, including professionally written screening procedures, protocols and practice guidelines appropriate to the specific profession providing the service as determined by an independent peer review. Objections were heard. The question being: Shall the Letter of Intent be adopted? The roll was taken with the following result: 1997-05-09 Senate Journal Page 1926 SB 122 SB 122 Adopt Letter of Intent? YEAS: 7 NAYS: 12 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Donley, Green, Halford, Leman, Mackie, Pearce, Ward Nays: Adams, Duncan, Ellis, Hoffman, Lincoln, Miller, Parnell, Phillips, Sharp, Taylor, Torgerson, Wilken Excused: Kelly and so, the Letter of Intent failed. The question to be reconsidered: Shall SENATE BILL NO. 122 An Act relating to unfair discrimination under a group health insurance policy for services provided by marital and family therapists; and providing for an effective date pass the Senate? The roll was taken with the following result: SB 122 Third Reading - On Reconsideration Effective Date YEAS: 15 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Adams, Donley, Duncan, Ellis, Hoffman, Leman, Lincoln, Miller, Parnell, Pearce, Phillips, Taylor, Torgerson, Ward, Wilken Nays: Green, Halford, Mackie, Sharp Excused: Kelly Wilken changed from "Nay" to "Yea". and so, SENATE BILL NO. 122 passed the Senate on reconsideration. Senator Taylor moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.