Legislature(2005 - 2006)
04/12/2005 03:10 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB54 | |
| HB130 | |
| HB109 | |
| HB225 | |
| HB210 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 109
An Act relating to establishing a screening, tracking,
and intervention program related to the hearing ability
of newborns and infants; providing an exemption to
licensure as an audiologist for certain persons
performing hearing screening tests; relating to
insurance coverage for newborn and infant hearing
screening; and providing for an effective date.
4:14:12 PM
Co-Chair Meyer inquired about the Department of Health &
Social Services fiscal note.
STEPHANIE BIRCH, SECTION CHIEF, WOMEN'S, CHILDREN'S AND
FAMILY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES, explained that the
finance portion of the bill would change in 2008. The
Division has been successful in the last four years by being
awarded two federal grants; however, the second grant is
scheduled to expire in 2008. The half time positions funded
uses federal grant money and would be lost. The program
manager runs the program that tracks all newborns, which is
mandated by the State.
Co-Chair Meyer referenced Page 2 of the fiscal note. Ms.
Birch clarified where those funds would pay for the early
intervention programs and would primarily be treatment
services. The Early Intervention Program has a newborn
hearing screening service for children needing hearing
support services. Co-Chair Meyer asked about the half-time
position and if it would be picked up by the State general
fund.
4:18:16 PM
In response to Vice-Chair Stoltze, Ms. Birch explained that
the newborn screening program has been in effect since 1998
in many hospitals. At present time, 23 communities have
that screening equipment in their hospitals. Through
federal funding, the Division purchased additional equipment
for nine communities. The screening test prices range
between $20 and $40 dollars and no money is paid to
providers. The federal grants provided equipment and
training.
4:19:52 PM
Representative Hawker indicated his confusion with the
fiscal note, the language regarding that "public record and
requiring a "reporting and surveillance system for tracking
all newborns". He questioned that choice of words,
recommending that the verbiage be revised.
4:21:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, SPONSOR, shared concerns with
personal privacy issues. He understood that the legislation
would provide statistical tracking of the number of newborns
needing services for congenital birth defects. He assured
members that the intent was not to use surveillance.
Ms. Birch interjected that the word "surveillance" is used
as a public health term and is one of the four functions of
public health. The intention is to determine how large the
statewide problem is by having a methodology.
4:24:42 PM
Representative Hawker pointed out an additional provision in
the bill, which could solve some problems. The Department
proposed that Subsection G be deleted and asked if that had
happened. Ms. Birch replied that in the House Labor and
Commerce version, on Page 5, Lines 15-19, there was wording
in the original bill, discussing how the Department would
track any newborns needing financial support. She clarified
that the payment methodology was established in a recently
revised Medicaid manual. It would not be feasible for the
Department to take on the reimbursement costs to the
hospitals.
Representative Hawker asked if Subsection G had been
eliminated from the bill. Ms. Birch affirmed.
4:26:47 PM
Representative Hawker suggested that the fiscal note should
indicate removal of that language.
Co-Chair Meyer requested a more detailed budget outline
starting with FY08.
4:27:35 PM
Representative Holm asked if there would there be savings at
some point, noting it was not indicated in the fiscal note.
4:29:02 PM
Representative Ramras appreciated the remarks. He stated
that if the birth defect condition were caught early, the
State would be able to mitigate some hearing loss to
diminish the severity and cognitive development of the young
child. By the time the child hits school age, they become
a problem of the State of Alaska through one mechanism or
another. He believed that there would be a positive fiscal
note showing savings to the State at some point.
4:30:40 PM
Ms. Birch advised that it had not been reflected in the
fiscal note, however, she had looked at Medicaid claims for
children who had received treatment in FY03 and FY04. There
were a total of 946 recipients with an average cost of $582
dollars each. The number compares to about $760 dollars
each in FY02. The preliminary review indicates that if
caught early, treatment dollars required for these children
would decrease.
Representative Holm thought that information should be
reflected in the fiscal note.
Representative Ramras commented that they could work on that
as the bill makes its way to the other body.
4:33:16 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze suggested the note indicate
indeterminate.
Representative Hawker referenced Page 5, Lines 12-19,
stating that the parent could opt out of the procedure if it
conflicts with a religious tenet of that family. He warned
that language could deny a parent the right to object on
grounds other than religious.
4:34:59 PM
Representative Ramras stated there was no disagreement in
modifying that language. The verbiage was lifted from
regulations in the Newborn Metabolic Screening.
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT conceptual Amendment
#1, Page 5, Line 15, following "religious" adding language
"or other". There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to report HB 109 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 109 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the
Department of Health & Social Services, a new indeterminate
note by the Department of Education & Early Development and
a new zero note by the Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development.
4:37:00 PM
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