02/23/1995 03:05 PM House HES

 HHES - 02/23/95                                                               
                                                                               
 ROBERT CLARK, Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Bay Area Health                
 Corporation (BBAHC), spoke on HB 182, which is an Act allowing a              
 dentist to delegate certain duties to a dental assistant.  Mr.                
 Clark had spoken to the Chief of Staff at the BBAHC who is tied in            
 with the dental society.  A lot of the bush hospitals work very               
 closely with the private sector in Anchorage and elsewhere.  The              
 BBAHC serves most people in that area because there is just not any           
 other place to receive health care.  Therefore, it serves both                
 Natives and non-Natives, even though the BBAHC is technically a               
 government hospital system.                                                   
                                                                               
 MR. CLARK said that it was good that they served everyone, and the            
 hospital association would continue to serve everyone.  The BBAHC             
 has trained a lot of assistants to perform functions that legally             
 they are not allowed to provide, and particularly, bill for.  Most            
 people, including hygienists who cannot be everywhere, especially             
 the bush, believe that this practice is safe and it prevents                  
 situations that will cost a lot of money later.  He believes the              
 HESS Committee members will be receiving letters to that effect.              
 He is excited about the bill.                                                 
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIR TOOHEY asked Mr. Clark to provide some people and letters            
 to testify in favor of the bill.