Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2004-02-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2004-02-06 Senate Journal Page 2086 SB 301 SENATE BILL NO. 301 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska Pioneers' Home, and the Alaska Veterans' Home; relating to eligibility for admission to the Alaska Pioneers' Home and Alaska Veterans' Home; relating to state veterans' home facilities; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services Governor's transmittal letter dated February 4: 2004-02-06 Senate Journal Page 2087 Dear President Therriault: Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the Alaska Pioneers' Home (APH) and Alaska Veterans' Home (AVH). The purpose of the bill is two-fold: to authorize the establishment of an AVH under the umbrella of our existing APH system and to provide long-term financial stability for both our AVH and APH programs. For over a decade, the State of Alaska has struggled to develop a viable plan for an AVH. The time has come to move beyond planning to make an AVH a reality. With passage of this bill, the state would have clear statutory authority to serve veterans within the APH system by identifying one or more homes as an AVH consistent with the requirements of the United States Veterans' Administration. In addition, the bill would require that, as a condition for receipt of assistance to pay the cost of care in a home, a home resident could be required to apply for other state or federally sponsored programs whose benefits could reduce the amount of that assistance. Taken together, these changes are designed to ensure the sustainability of the APH and AVH system over the long-term. Additional federal and other third-party payments are critical in order to maintain the high quality of care the homes provide and home residents expect and deserve. Over time, the Department of Health and Social Services is optimistic that several millions of dollars of additional resources can be obtained in third-party reimbursements annually to support operation of the homes. In the absence of additional third-party receipts, the APH and the AVH would remain unduly dependent on state general fund support and resident fees. Given the state's ongoing fiscal constraints and the impracticality of requiring home residents to pay for the full cost of care, failure to adopt the measures included in this bill may well jeopardize the APH and AVH over the long term. 2004-02-06 Senate Journal Page 2088 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor