Legislature(2005 - 2006)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/03/2005 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB46 | |
| HB187 | |
| SB102 | |
| SB22 | |
| SB192 | |
| HB178 | |
| SB125 | |
| SB46 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 187 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 46 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 178 | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 22
"An Act adding birthing centers to the list of health
facilities eligible for payment of medical assistance for
needy persons."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Wilken moved to adopt committee substitute Version 24-
LS0209\F as the working document.
There being no objection, the Version "F" committee substitute was
ADOPTED as the working document.
Co-Chair Green communicated that during this bill's committee
hearing process, the concern was "expressed about the fact that we
have no doubt a very very legitimate cause for support for
midwifery centers and the funding". She noted that the State's
Medicaid program has been based on federal Medicaid standards;
consequently, language has been included in Section 1(B) on page
one, lines ten through twelve of the Version "F" committee
substitute to specify that birthing centers, which are included in
the definition of health facilities, would be eligible for funding
"under the State plan approved under AS 47.07.040 by the United
States Department of Health and Human Services".
10:37:16 AM
RICHARD BENAVIDES, Staff to Senator Bettye Davis, the bill's
sponsor, asked that clarification be provided in regards to whether
the language in Version "F" would require the Department of Health
and Social Services to develop an amendment to the State's plan or
whether the State should wait for a federal determination as to
whether they would fund midwifery centers.
Co-Chair Green voiced being uncertain of the State's procedure in
this regard. The State might be able to develop the required
language. She assumed that the inclusion of midwifery centers would
require federal policies to be rewritten in regards to what would
be deemed acceptable for federal Medicaid "reimbursables". States
must be able to provide input and ask that "various things be added
to the list". She understood that the procedure in this regard has
been a point of ongoing discussion.
Co-Chair Green stressed that it is not the desire of the Finance
Committee to provide "100 percent State Medicaid dollars for
programs that are not currently funded with federal Medicaid." "The
list would be endless and it would be very very difficult." Since
the State "is subject to federal Medicaid with their arbitrary
changes, it's very difficult" for the State, on its own, "to
expand" what the State would pay, even though that use might be
considered "very legitimate" and might save money. That point could
be argued.
10:39:58 AM
Mr. Benavides noted that during the bill's hearing in the Senate
Health, Education, and Social Services Committee that Department of
Health and Social Services had communicated that, were the bill to
pass, the Department would be required to develop an amended plan
in order to have a determination made by the federal government as
to whether they would accept it. Thus the reason for his question
as to whether the Department would be directed to further that
endeavor or whether the federal government would make the
determination as to whether they would expand their coverage. The
committee substitute is unclear in its direction to the Department.
10:40:54 AM
Co-Chair Green stated that input from the Department must be
sought. In the meantime, she voiced the understanding that the
Department did not object to the bill. Therefore, she would not be
surprised were the Department to advance an amendment to the
federal Medicaid program.
Mr. Benavides asked that he be allowed to clarify this further with
the Department and provide their response to the Committee.
Co-Chair Green agreed.
JERRY FULLER, Medicaid Director, Office of Program Review,
Department of Health and Social Services, testified via
teleconference from an offnet site, and stated that, were the bill
approved by the Legislature, the Department would submit language
for federal approval. He concurred with Co-Chair Green's earlier
remarks as to the fluidness of the policies occurring in the
federal Medicaid program.
In response to a question from Co-Chair Green, Mr. Benavides stated
that Mr. Fuller had answered his question.
Co-Chair Green noted her intention to move this bill from
Committee. In the interest of time, she asked teleconferencing
participants to briefly state their position on the bill.
10:42:43 AM
Mr. Fuller informed the Committee that the Department has a neutral
position on this bill
10:43:01 AM
TOM RYAN, testified via teleconference from Mat-Su and communicated
that this bill would provide a "great benefit" to both the State
and its citizens. It would save the State money and provide
Alaskans other health care options.
10:43:29 AM
TORA GERRICK testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support
of the bill.
10:43:45 AM
Senator Dyson, noting that he is one of bill's co-sponsors, thanked
Co-Chair Green for her ability "to see things" that he had missed.
Senator Dyson moved to report the committee substitute from
Committee with individual recommendations and new fiscal note.
Co-Chair Green noted that a new fiscal note would accompany the
bill, as the previous one contained language that was
"problematic".
There being no objection, CS SB 22(FIN) was REPORTED from Committee
with a new zero fiscal note dated April 28, 2005 from the
Department of Health and Social Services.
10:45:10 AM 10:45:54 AM
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