2015-03-18                     House Journal                      Page 0509
HB 148                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 148 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to medical assistance reform measures; relating                                                           
     to eligibility for medical assistance coverage; relating to medical                                                        
     assistance cost containment measures by the Department of Health                                                           
     and Social Services; and providing for an effective date."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services                                                            
and Finance Committees.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration                                                                                              
2. Fiscal, Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                 
3. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    

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4. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
5. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
6. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
7. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
8. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
9. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
10. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
11. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
12. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
13. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
14. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
15. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
16. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 17, 2015, follows:                                                                
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to eligibility for medical                                                      
assistance.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The bill would make technical amendments to AS 47.07.020 related to                                                             
Medicaid eligibility and would authorize Medicaid expansion as                                                                  
permitted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The bill also would provide express authority for the Department of                                                             
Health and Social Services to engage in various Medicaid cost                                                                   
containment and reform measures, including expanding the use of                                                                 
waivers, using demonstration projects to engage in innovative                                                                   
practices, and expanding telemedicine capability and reimbursement to                                                           
incentivize innovative service delivery models.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Finally, the bill would amend a number of existing statutes that are                                                            
designed to assist the Department of Health and Social Services in its                                                          
oversight of Medicaid providers.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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Medicaid expansion and Medicaid reform are in the best interest of the                                                          
state, and I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"