Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
03/13/2024 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB285 | |
| HB175 | |
| HB200 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 378 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 200 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 285 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 271 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 175 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 285-MAMMOGRAMS: INSURANCE COVERAGE
3:20:53 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 285, "An Act relating to insurance; relating to
mammograms; and providing for an effective date."
3:21:14 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 285.
3:21:36 PM
EMILY NEIMAN, Alaska Government Relations Director, American
Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, testified in support of HB
285. She provided the committee with historical context on the
issue and shard information on what constitutes increased risk
[for breast cancer]. She added that even though the bill would
only affect a small percentage of insured plans in Alaska, the
other insured plans have followed precedent.
3:25:09 PM
DOROTHY MCGRATH, representing self, testified in support of HB
285. She shared that she and her mother are cancer survivors
and described their experience receiving scans. She urged the
committee to pass the bill to ensure that this life saving,
early detection measure is fully covered to keep families from
having to decide on getting a potentially life-saving scan given
the high cost.
3:27:13 PM
JESSICA IVANOFF, representing self, testified in support of HB
285, given the high cost of medical care. She said she wants
everyone to live as long as possible and to take preventative
measures.
3:28:10 PM
LOIS EPSTEIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 285.
She shared a personal anecdote about the cost of additional
diagnostic scans. She said she should not be penalized due to
the characteristics of her body that cause her to require
additional imaging, or issues with the imaging center where her
mammography is performed.
3:30:34 PM
DON ENSLOW, Volunteer, Providence Alaska Hospital, testified in
support of HB 285. He said HB 285 would eliminate the cost
sharing for diagnostic imaging procedures for breast cancer,
which are critical. Although mammogram screenings are free
under federal law, additional imaging tests are not included in
that. He urged the committee to consider passing the bill
because early screening and diagnostic tests are critical for
patients, specifically those at high risk.
3:33:10 PM
PENNY PALMQUIST, representing self, testified in support of HB
285. She shared that she is a cancer survivor, and due to her
high-risk factors, she requires additional screenings every
year. She urged passage of the legislation.
3:34:27 PM
BECKY ZAVERL, representing self, testified in support of HB 285
as a three-time cancer survivor. She stressed the importance of
diagnostic screening and shared her story. She said cancer
makes a person feel out of control, and that screenings and
knowledge become power. She explained that eliminating cost
sharing would provide more equal access to care and ensure a
timelier diagnosis of breast cancer, improving the health
outcomes for those diagnosed with breast cancer and reducing
overall costs to the healthcare system. She urged the committee
to move any roadblocks to keep families and loved ones healthy.
3:38:48 PM
KELLY MARRE, representing self, testified in support of HB 285.
As an oncology social worker, she discussed the high cost of
follow-up screenings. She reported that cancer patients are
refusing to receive breast MRIs and diagnostic tests because
they can't afford it. She urged the committee to support the
bill because it would help people live longer.
3:41:15 PM
REBECCA LIBAL, representing self, testified in support of HB
285. She detailed the importance of annual imaging with
screening mammography and contrast enhanced breast MRIs for
women at high risk for breast cancer. She said the out-of-
pocket costs for such exams can be prohibitive, leading to
patients declining the tests due to financial burden. She
thanked members for hearing HB 285, which would help save the
lives of Alaskan women and decrease the financial burden to
society with early detection.
3:43:54 PM
PAM VENTGEN, Executive Director, Alaska State Medical
Association, testified during the hearing on HB 285. She said a
fellow board member relayed the following concerns about the
bill: firstly, the diagnostic imaging after an abnormal
screening should be covered by insurance and easier to afford;
secondly, the supplemental breast exam for risk factors. She
explained that the goal of supplemental screening is to catch
cancer early, and in addition to an increased survival rate,
early detection could decrease treatment costs because the more
advanced surgeries and treatments may not be needed. She
reiterated the Alaska State Medical Association's support for
the bill.
3:49:23 PM
CHAIR SUMNER closed public testimony on HB 285 and announced
that the bill would be held over.