2019-04-15                     House Journal                      Page 0621
HB 135                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 135 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to medical assistance for needy persons; relating                                                         
     to material incorporated by reference; relating to payment for                                                             
     prescribed drugs; and providing for an effective date."                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services,                                                           
Judiciary, and Finance Committees.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                   
2. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic                                                                             
 Development                                                                                                                    
3. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                    
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                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated April 12 follows:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill regarding medical assistance for                                                         
eligible persons.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
First, the bill would make changes to state coverage under the                                                                  
Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion to provide more cost                                                                   
effective and efficient means to provide medical assistance to eligible                                                         
persons, either through third party payer coverage or through a state-                                                          
paid medical assistance program.  Second, the bill would broaden the                                                            
department's authorization to seek certain federal waivers without                                                              
going through an extensive legislative or regulatory process. Third, the                                                        
bill would provide authority for the Department of Health and Social                                                            
Services to implement cost containment measures regarding provider                                                              

2019-04-15                     House Journal                      Page 0622
rates, including by emergency regulation. Importantly, the bill would                                                           
allow the department to develop preferred drug lists to control costs                                                           
and make medical treatment and access to needed medications more                                                                
streamlined. Last, the bill would direct the Department of Health and                                                           
Social Services to apply for required federal waivers in order to                                                               
provide coverage for those traditionally covered by medical assistance                                                          
programs through the individual health insurance market or exchange.                                                            
Together, these tools will improve our state's ability to provide                                                               
medical assistance to eligible persons.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor"