Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/17/2014 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB379 | |
| HB234 | |
| HB308 | |
| HB361 | |
| HB121 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 379 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 234 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 308 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 361 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 328 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 204 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 143 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 282 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 305 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 361
"An Act relating to licensing of behavior analysts."
10:09:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, SPONSOR, introduced himself,
and was willing to respond to questions.
Co-Chair Meyer stated that there were also some testifiers
available for to respond to questions.
Vice-Chair Fairclough would like a revised fiscal note on
the indeterminate costs regarding the next phase of the
legislation. She felt that the ramifications to the state's
budget should be evaluated in pursuing additional care for
the people of Alaska.
MARGARET BRODY, DIRECTOR, HEALTH CARE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), announced that the service was not
currently covered under Medicaid rules, which was why the
fiscal note was indeterminate. There would be 1838 children
who had a diagnosis of Autism that were currently enrolled
in Medicaid. There would need to be individual assessments,
at $175 per evaluation. That cost would be covered, if the
service became covered under Medicaid.
Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that the next step would be
legislation that would allow Medicaid to cover the cost.
She stressed that there should be an acknowledgement of a
cost of approximately $26 million with 50 percent covered
by the federal government. She felt that the cost was high,
but necessary to meet the needs of the diagnosed children.
She felt that the numbers delivered by the department were
too low.
Co-Chair Meyer queried the cost of obtaining a license.
Representative Saddler responded that the cost would be
approximately $1300 per person for the initial biennium,
and would decrease to $450 for subsequent bienniums.
10:15:19 AM
Senator Bishop surmised that it would be a $1300 initial
license, and a $400 for a renewal. Representative Saddler
agreed, and stated that the initial cost would be a portion
to the BCBA.
Representative Saddler noted a there was information that
indicated that with three years of an early intensive
behavioral intervention, there were upfront costs. After
three years, approximately half of the children accomplish
near normal functioning. He stated that approximately one-
third of the children had substantial gains, and 15 percent
saw no benefits. The implications indicated some upfront
higher costs, but the early intervention avoided the need
for additional special education services.
Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT HB 361 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HB 361 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with previously published indeterminate
fiscal note: FN1(DHS); and previously published fiscal
impact note: FN2(CED).
10:17:20 AM
AT EASE
10:23:40 AM
RECONVENED