Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
03/10/2018 03:00 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| HB89 | |
| HB264 | |
| HB350 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 264 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 350 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 89-LICENSE RADIOLOGIC/NUC. MED TECHNOLOGISTS
3:10:04 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 89, "An Act requiring licensure of occupations
relating to radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and
nuclear medicine technology; and providing for an effective
date."
REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HB 89 as prime sponsor.
3:10:52 PM
KENDRA KLOSTER, Staff, Representative Tuck, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 89 on behalf of Representative Tuck,
prime sponsor. She paraphrased from the sponsor statement
[included in committee packet] which reads as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
House Bill 89 would establish licensing requirements
for radiology technicians to increase safety for
patients and healthcare professionals. Approximately
two-thirds of the states have laws regulating the
practice of radiologic technology. However, Alaska is
not among the majority who require licensing of this
profession.
Radiology technicians have an important role in the
healthcare field to provide services including x-rays
used for checking broken bones; Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) used to find tumors, bleeding, diseases,
and infections; and Computed Tomography (CT) scans
used to diagnose many types of cancer.
While a number of Alaskans use these services, many
may not be aware of the potential risk of over-
exposure to radiation, which can lead to serious
health problems, and even death. To increase safety
for the patients and healthcare professionals, we need
to ensure technicians are being trained properly and
the equipment is checked regularly.
We have been working closely with the radiologic
technicians, the Alaska Departments of Health and
Social Services and Commerce, Community and Economic
Development to ensure we are crafting legislation that
will improve public safety standards for Alaskan
through these new licensing requirements. The
Department of Health and Social Services have been
working with radiology technicians across the state to
develop regulations that will partner with this
legislation to increase safety measures, update our
out-of-date regulations, and ensure changes will not
adversely affect technicians in rural Alaska.
Radiation protection is about safety and the
prevention of undue risk from radiation exposure.
House Bill 89 will improve the safety of medical
imaging procedures by establishing education and
standards to ensure competency of all operators and
patients. I respectfully ask for your support in the
passage of House Bill 89.
3:13:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked how many radiologists the legislation
would embrace.
MS. KLOSTER deferred to Ms. Rufsholm.
3:14:35 PM
DONNA RUFSHOLM, Chair, Legislative Affairs Committee, Alaska
Society of Radiologic Technologists, testified in the hearing on
HB 89. She informed there are about 650 registered radio
technologists in Alaska. She specified those individuals have
gone through a formal program with a minimum of two to four
years and passed a national exam. She indicated there are
estimated to be one to two other individuals who are not
registered and who have not gone through any formal education.
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked whether dental x-ray technicians are
included.
MS. RUFSHOLM answered dentists are exempted from this program
because they have their own board and licensure.
3:17:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked whether there are incidents of people
being over-radiated in Alaska.
MS. RUFSHOLM answered that many incidents are not heard about
because they become locked files through litigation. She
mentioned rural areas send images into urban centers to be read
and medical assistants in those rural areas have very minimal
training. She stated the biggest concern in Alaska is the
assistance in rural areas involving the individuals taking x-
rays who don't have the appropriate training. She said she sees
x-rays that are over-exposed or under-exposed. She informed that
radiation is cumulative, and it could be ten years before cancer
from over-exposure appears. She said the proposed bill would
ensure the people who take x-rays have the appropriate education
and training. She added it is important that the training is
affordable and accessible.
3:21:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH shared his concern that the state was
"painting itself into a corner" with certifications,
particularly in rural areas.
MS. RUFSHOLM said the clinics in rural areas "are okay with" a
licensure program as long as it's affordable and accessible.
She added the online program allows for accessible training for
certification. She remarked the people she had spoken with want
to have additional training as long as it is affordable.
3:24:26 PM
CHAIR KITO mentioned there are lots of places in rural
communities that might not have access to individuals who could
become radio technologists. He asked whether a community with
the equipment but no one who can be trained would have to wait
for a licensed individual to obtain the x-ray image of a broken
arm.
MS. RUFSHOLM answered, "Absolutely not." She said the society
had made provisions and had attempted to address these issues
regarding the very rural areas in Alaska. She explained all the
current health aides have to do is show competency to be
grandfathered into the system. She said anyone new coming into a
rural community can get temporary licensure while they are
preparing for certification.
3:27:38 PM
CHAIR KITO asked how the program would be funded without current
licensees.
SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community, &
Economic Development (DCCED), provided comments and responded to
questions on HB 89. She explained the law requires the state to
recover those costs. She said there is a complex method for
allocating funds. She said there is authority to expend funds
within the division. Those costs would be paid back with
licensing fees.
3:29:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH noted the proposed bill calls for a passing
score of 75 percent average. He asked whether that is typical.
MS. CHAMBERS answered that programs differ. She added a
statutory change would be required if the percentage was deemed
too high or too low.
3:30:45 PM
CHAIR KITO opened public testimony on HB 89.
3:30:54 PM
ROBERT MCCLUNG, Chair, Alaska Society of Radiologic
Technologists, testified in support of HB 89. He explained
currently only eight states including Alaska have no licensing
for radiography. He said there are 697 certified radiology
technicians in Alaska. He added the radiology profession is the
third largest group of certified professionals, behind doctors
and nurses. He said there are a number of reasons for the
legislation. He said the first is safety. An untrained
individual may not be aware of techniques to protect themselves
and patient safety is also affected. He said the second reason
is quality. The purpose of producing x-ray images is to
provide the best quality image for a healthcare provider to
provide a diagnosis. He added the certified x-ray technician
understands the reason for the exam, how pathology can affect
the image, and how to adjust the amount of radiation to produce
the desired image. He said over- or under-exposure can affect
the interpretation of the image. He added the certified
technicians in the state have passed an exam and must follow
continuing education.
3:34:49 PM
RHONDA MERRIHEW, Member, Alaska Society of Radiologic
Technologists, testified in support of HB 89. She shared her
experience in a rural community. She explained the difference
between adult and baby x-ray technique. She said she witnessed
a technique which resulted in a baby getting more radiation than
necessary. She said the proposed bill would help provide the
training and ensure safety for the people of our state.
3:37:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked about costs of licensing and
registration. He noted the fiscal note (FN) is around $365
thousand which works out to around $520 per licensee. He asked
whether the cost is a concern.
MS. MERRIHEW deferred to Ms. Rufsholm.
MS. RUFSHOLM stated the society had not been presented the most
recent FN. She said the FN they have is from 2007 and it did
not show such a high figure. She added there had not been
discussion on the impact on the members. She said she assumed
the licensure fees would be paid every two years and asked for
confirmation.
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH said he think it comes out to a little over
$500 per person per year.
MS. RUFSHOLM said the figure was new to her and it has not yet
been discussed. She emphasized the members knew licensure would
have a cost and were prepared for it, but the new FN would have
to be presented to the society.
3:42:15 PM
CLAUDIA TESSIER, Member, Alaska Society of Radiologic
Technologists, testified in support of HB 89. She shared her
personal experience as a victim of untrained radiologists. She
said it made her become a radiology technician.
3:44:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked where the incident occurred.
MS. TESSIER answered it had occurred in South Dakota. She added
that technicians are now registered in that state.
3:44:36 PM
CHAIR KITO said he would leave public testimony open on HB 89.
3:44:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated her support for HB 89. She shared
her experience in Kodiak, Alaska. She said CT scans in Kodiak,
Alaska, cost about 25 percent higher than in Anchorage, Alaska.
3:46:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL shared his personal background working in
hospitals. He remarked the people he worked with had to be
certified.
3:48:00 PM
CHAIR KITO held over HB 89.