04/21/1998 08:25 AM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 369                                                             
                                                                               
"An Act relating to Medicaid coverage for certain                              
eligible children and pregnant women; relating to                              
primary care case management and managed care services                         
as optional services and to premiums and cost-sharing                          
contributions under the Medicaid program; establishing                         
the Healthy Families Alaska program; and providing for                         
an effective date."                                                            
                                                                               
JULIE WILD-CURRY, PROGRAM MANAGER, HEALTHY FAMILIES PROGRAM,                   
FAIRBANKS spoke in support of the Healthy Families Program.                    
She acknowledged the benefit of a control group, but                           
stressed that resources would be better spent to provide                       
services.  She noted that the states of Hawaii and Arizona                     
have conducted studies with control groups.  Research showed                   
that their programs resulted in a more nurturing home and                      
environment and more positive parent child interaction.                        
There were no cases of child abuse or neglect in those                         
studied during a 10-year period.   She summarized that the                     
program can reduce the cost to society.                                        
                                                                               
HB 369 was HELD for further consideration during the                           
meeting.                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 369                                                             
                                                                               
"An Act relating to Medicaid coverage for certain                              
eligible children and pregnant women; relating to                              
primary care case management and managed care services                         
as optional services and to premiums and cost-sharing                          
contributions under the Medicaid program; establishing                         
the Healthy Families Alaska program; and providing for                         
an effective date."                                                            
                                                                               
MARILYN KASMAR, ANCHORAGE spoke in support of HB 369.  She                     
maintained that it makes good sense to increase eligibility                    
levels for Medicaid to 200 percent of the federal poverty                      
level.  There are 23,900 children and 800 pregnant women in                    
Alaska that do not have insurance coverage.  The expansion                     
would offer coverage to 11,600 of the uninsured children and                   
all 800 of the pregnant women.  Uninsured children are more                    
likely to have greater medical expense later in life.  She                     
noted that 41 states provide better care for pregnant women                    
and children than Alaska.  She asserted that the expansion                     
could be paid through the $31 million dollar savings in the                    
federal F/MAP rate (the federal match in Medicaid payments).                   
She stressed that congressional leaders have indicated that                    
reauthorization of the money will be difficult if it is not                    
used for health care.  For every .28 cents spent on health                     
care for children Alaska will receive .72 cents from the                       
federal government.                                                            
                                                                               
HB 369 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.