2005-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0139
             "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska                                  
             regional economic assistance program; and providing                                   
          for an effective date."                                                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional                                  
Affairs and Finance Committees.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
SB 78                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 78 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act establishing the senior care program and                                          
          relating to that program; creating a fund for the                                         
          provision of the senior care program; repealing ch. 3,                                    
          SLA 2004; 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                                        
 Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
 Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Health and Social Services                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 21:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating to health care benefits available to eligible                          
low-income senior citizens.                                                                         
                                                                                                    
In 2004, the SeniorCare program was enacted that provided for needs-                                
based cash assistance and a prescription drug benefit (ch. 3, SLA                                   
2004).  Today, approximately 6,800 seniors with incomes below 135                                   
percent of the federal poverty level for Alaska receive $120 a month in                             
cash assistance through the SeniorCare program.  This program has                                   
been very successful in reaching senior citizens in Alaska truly in need                            
of cash assistance.