Legislature(2019 - 2020)GRUENBERG 120
04/02/2019 04:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB98 | |
| HB96 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 96-PIONEERS' HOME AND VETERANS' HOME RATES
6:15:05 PM
CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the final order of
business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 96, "An Act relating to Alaska
Pioneers' Home and Alaska Veterans' Home rates and services."
[Before the committee, adopted as a work draft on 3/28/19, was
the committee substitute (CS) for HB 96, Version 31-LS0646\U,
Marx, 3/27/19, referred to as "Version U."]
6:15:35 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS thanked the various contributors to the proposed
legislation and noted the updated zero fiscal note (FN).
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL expressed his understanding that the rate
increase proposed under Version U would bring the rates in line
with inflation and counteract the higher rate increase proposed
by the [Governor Michael J. Dunleavy] administration. He asked
whether the rates would revert to what they were prior to the
proposed rate increase, if HB 96 did not pass.
6:18:18 PM
CLINTON LASLEY, Director, Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes
(DAPH), answered that the rates currently proposed by the
administration are in the regulatory process; therefore, they
will be posted for 60 days for public testimony, and the
commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services
(DHSS) will make a final decision on the rates based on the
information gathered. He stated that if Version U does not
pass, that regulatory process would proceed, and a determination
made.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if the rates under Version U are lower
or higher than the proposed rates currently in the regulatory
process.
MR. LASLEY responded that the rates under Version U are lower;
the administration's proposed rates are reflective of the true
cost of providing services. He maintained that the rates
proposed under Version U are less than what it costs to provide
services.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked for confirmation that the rates
proposed under Version U are between the current rates and those
proposed by the administration.
MR. LASLEY responded, "That's correct."
6:20:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY relayed that she has conflicting thoughts
about Version U; she hesitates to put rates into policy as it is
not something legislators do and impedes flexibility. She
expressed her concern with the huge jump in rates for Alaska
Pioneer Homes (APH) and the impact to seniors and families. She
offered that incremental rate increases are better for planning.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL expressed that he also has difficulties with
Version U and agrees that legislators setting rates is
micromanagement. He made an analogy with the Alaska Marine
Highway System (AMHS): it is a heavily subsidized service that
many Alaskans use; there are probably people who could afford to
pay the true cost of riding the ferry; it costs $10,000 to
travel by ferry from Bellingham to Kodiak with a car; it is a
question of the level of subsidy. He suggested that Version U
"strikes a middle ground." He mentioned that the issue involves
many factors - the appropriate level of rates and subsidy,
depletion of one's resources, and medical billing.
6:25:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX expressed her concerns with Version U:
some people can pay; some can pay what they are able; and no one
will be evicted. She asked, "At the end of one's life, should
the inheritance go to the family members ... or should people
pay what they can?"
CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS stated that the effect of what the
administration is proposing is what many conservatives like to
call a "death tax"; the assets of anyone in APH would be
liquidated much quicker and would go to the state.
6:27:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW moved to report the CS for HB 96, Version
31-LS0646\U, Marx, 3/27/19, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 96(STA) was reported from the House State
Affairs Standing Committee.