2000-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1963
HB 300                                                                       
a reasonable cost.  Currently, the CSED cannot establish a medical             
support order only; it must be in conjunction with a child support order       
that seeks monthly support payments.  The custodial parent, however,           
may not want to pursue child support for various reasons.  The current         
requirement to do so, then, becomes a disincentive to seek valuable            
medical benefits through Denali Kid Care.  To allow more flexibility           
in such cases, this bill gives parents the option of requesting a medical      
support order only, without an accompanying child support order.               
                                                                               
This bill also amends the medical support statutes to provide that either      
parent, not simply the obligor parent, may be required to provide              
health care coverage if coverage is available to the parent at a               
reasonable cost.  By making this change, the bill assures that the             
statutory requirements for medical support orders are consistent with          
the requirements of Alaska Civil Rules and related federal law.  This          
bill also makes it clear that a medical support order can be issued            
regardless of whether health care coverage is currently available to           
either parent.  This makes medical support a continuing obligation on          
the part of either parent to provide health care coverage for the child        
whenever it is available at a reasonable cost.                                 
                                                                               
In the interest of the health of Alaska's children, I urge your prompt         
and favorable action on this bill.                                             
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"                                                               
                                                                               
HB 301                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 301 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to the education of exceptional children; and                
providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social         
Services and Finance Committees.