2015-03-18                     Senate Journal                      Page 0516
SB 78                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 78 BY THE SENATE 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 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                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 5, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 6, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 7, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
Fiscal Note No. 8, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                     
 Fiscal Note No. 9, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 10, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                   
 Fiscal Note No. 11, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                   
 Fiscal Note No. 12, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                   
 Fiscal Note No. 13, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                   
 Fiscal Note No. 14, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                   
 Fiscal Note No. 15, Department of Corrections                                                                                  
 Fiscal Note No. 16, Department of Administration                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated March 17:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Meyer:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to eligibility for medical                                                      
assistance.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

2015-03-18                     Senate Journal                      Page 0517
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.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
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