Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/27/1998 01:50 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 325
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making
appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution
of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget
reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."
RESULTS BASED GOVERNMENT
Final Committee Action:
Medicaid
Mechanical Inspection
Quality Schools
Corrections Female Psychiatric Unit
Division of Family and Youth Services - Abuse &
neglect prevention
CORRECTIONS FEMALE PSYCHIATRIC UNIT
BETSY ROBSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONS,
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (testified via teleconference).
She is the program manager for inmate health care programs.
She observed that the Department supports the proposed
mission statement. She expressed concerns with the
recidivism rate of inmates receiving services on the
Psychiatric Unit compared to general recidivism rate as a
performance measure. She emphasized that this encompasses
more than the women's mental health unit in terms of
outcome. There are factors beyond treatment provided in the
women's mental health unit. Increased law enforcement could
impact recidivism rate.
Co-Chair Hanley maintained that there should be an
incremental impact on recidivism. Ms. Robson replied that
they would anticipate an impact.
In response to a question by Representative Davies, Ms.
Robson clarified that "open population" refers to the
general population inside the prison. The function of open
population is one issue and reduced recidivism is another
issue. He asked if there is information regarding the
recidivism rate of persons who are mentally ill but do not
receive services. Ms. Robson observed that it would be
difficult to identify a control group. She stated that a
high recidivism rate would be an impetus to look at
contributing factors to determine if there are things in the
unit that might be impacting recidivism.
Representative Davies questioned why the comparison would be
to the general population. He suggested the rate be
measured and changes noted.
Representative Mulder spoke in support of measuring against
the general recidivism rate. He observed that the
expectation is that by more appropriately treating mentally
ill inmates, that they will have a lower recidivism rate and
by treating their mental illness they can be kept out of the
system. Representative Davies stressed that the
expectation assumes that the mental illness is treatable.
Co-Chair Hanley observed that the performance measures are
intent language to focus people. He emphasized that more
information will determine if they are appropriate or can be
improved.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT the mission statement
and performance measures for the Department of Corrections
Female Mentally Ill Offenders Psychiatric Unit as contained
in Attachment 1 (copy on file). There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
MECHANICAL INSPECTION
AL DWYER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION LABOR STANDARDS AND SAFETY,
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR stated that the Department agrees with
the mission statement and performance measures.
Representative Davies asked if the first performance measure
should be normalized to the incident rates.
Mr. Dwyer observed that their jurisdiction is to new
construction or alterations of existing structures. He
emphasized that the manner of measurement is by the rate of
injuries in these areas.
Representative Davies interpreted the first performance
measure as pertaining to a geographic distribution. Mr.
Dwyer observed that there are areas of the State where
inspections are by the local entity. Representative Davies
maintained that a population-adjusted rate should be used.
Representative Foster noted that in his entire district that
there is only one elevator that goes to one floor.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT the mission statement
and performance measures for the Department of Labor,
Mechanical Inspection as contained in Attachment 2 (copy on
file). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
MEDICAID
BOB LABBE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES stated that the Division is in
agreement with the mission statement and performance
measures. In response to a question by Representative
Martin, Mr. Labbe noted that there are different income
levels for eligibility. A family of 4 is eligible at $14
thousand dollars. The eligibility level for a family of
four with a child is $20 thousand dollars.
In response to a question by Representative Martin, Mr.
Labbe observed that the state of Alaska holds harmless
recipients that receive permanent fund dividends. Some
Native dividends are also held harmless. Some groups are
linked to the federal poverty level. Some increases in the
program are due to federal mandates to cover new groups.
There is an Alaskan federal poverty level.
Representative Davies questioned how the Division of Medical
Assistance maintains access to quality health care. Mr.
Labbe observed that the program supports the basic health
care infrastructure through reimbursement payments. It is
an indirect result. The Division also licenses health care
facilities.
Representative Davies observed that the last performance
measure pertains to the percent of nursing homes that are
surveyed for licensure on an annual basis. He emphasized
that the intended result is that the nursing homes pass the
survey. He asked if the performance measure should be
amended to "the percentage of surveys conducted and passed".
Mr. Labbe noted that the suggestion was considered. He
stressed that the Division works with the facilities to come
into compliance. By the time the survey is completed the
facilities have passed. Nursing homes are surveyed every
year. Half of the hospitals are surveyed every two years.
The surveys are quite extensive.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT the mission statement
and performance measures for the Division of Medical
Assistance, Medicaid as contained in Attachment 3.
Representative Kohring OBJECTED. He stressed that the goal
should be to reduce governmental programs.
Co-Chair Hanley observed that the mission statement and
performance measures support the statutory requirement. He
stated that guidelines are set in statute by the state and
federal governments.
Representative Martin agreed with remarks by Representative
Kohring. He expressed concern that the state of Alaska is
moving in the wrong direction in encouraging participation
in the Medicaid program.
Co-Chair Hanley clarified that the state of Alaska loses
federal funds in the hold harmless program.
Representative Davies pointed out that the program measures
more than the level of federal participation. He stressed
that inspection of medical facilities is an appropriate
governmental function.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Davies, Davis, Grussendorf, Foster, Kelly, Hanley
OPPOSED: Martin, Kohring
Co-Chair Therriault and Representatives Moses and Mulder
were absent.
The MOTION PASSED (6-2).
(Tape Change, HFC 98 - 80, Side 2)
DIVISION OF FAMILY AND YOUTH SERVICES - ABUSE & NEGLECT
PREVENTION
KAREN PEARSON, HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER, DIVISION OF PUBLIC
HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES stated that
the Division is in support of the proposed mission statement
and performance measures.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT the mission statement
and performance measures for the Division of Family and
Youth Services - Abuse & neglect prevention component.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
QUALITY SCHOOLS
Representative Kelly stated that the subcommittee agreed to
include assessment in the mission statement.
BARBARA THOMPSON, DIRECTOR, TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORT,
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION explained that the Department felt
strongly that assessment is a part of student performance
and achievement.
Representative Kelly observed that professional development
is difficult to measure through an increase in student
performance. He emphasized that professional development is
integrated into classroom instruction. "Percentage of
teachers trained to incorporate training into classroom
instruction" was added based on self-reporting surveys.
Representative Grussendorf expressed concern that there are
a number to teachers that are not teaching in the area of
their major. Representative Kelly suggested that the
problem lies with contract negotiations.
Ms. Thompson noted that the Teachers Certification Unit is
looking at the issue.
In response to a question by Representative Davies, Ms.
Thompson noted that training could constitute grants to
school districts for staff development within districts.
Federal and state funding in this component could be used
for in-service days or for other training. One example of
professional development would be time spent working on
aligning curriculums to standards.
Representative Davies questioned if there is a mechanism to
demonstrate that student achievement would be affected. Ms.
Thompson emphasized that other components assess student
achievement. She stressed that continual on-going
assessment based on standards leads to improvement of
instruction because teachers know what they need to teach
and what students need to know.
Representative Grussendorf asserted that teachers should
have the necessary background and degree to help students
pass the standards tests.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT the mission statement
and performance measures for the Quality Schools component.
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