Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/17/2015 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB29 | |
| SB14 | |
| SB71 | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 71-VACCINE CERTIFICATION FOR PHARMACISTS
2:14:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 71. "An Act
relating to the practice of pharmacy; and relating to the
administration of vaccines and related emergency medications."
2:14:18 PM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, Sponsor of SB 71 introduced the
legislation paraphrasing the following sponsor statement:
Currently, Alaska pharmacists require oversight by a
medical doctor or nurse practitioner to oversee their
immunization authority. SB 71 will give already-
trained and certified pharmacists authority to
immunize Alaska adults and children without having to
contract with often hard-to-find doctors/nurse
practitioners to oversee their immunization programs.
This bill will particularly help rural pharmacies
increase their reach to populations who often see
their pharmacist more often than a medical
professional. Consumers would enjoy more flexibility
with their schedules and cost savings by being able to
access their local pharmacist for crucial
immunizations.
SB 71 expands authority for Alaska pharmacists to
independently administer all vaccines and would reduce
burdensome collaborative practice agreements. Studies
have shown that states in which pharmacists are
granted broad authority to administer vaccines have
higher immunization rates.
In 2013 Alaskan pharmacists administered over 13,000
flu vaccines and this legislation would significantly
improve access to additional vaccinations and public
health as a result. I ask for your support to expand
the authority of pharmacists to independently
administer vaccinations.
2:17:32 PM
JANE CONWAY, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, provided the
following sectional analysis for SB 71:
Section 1 authorizes the Board of Pharmacy (board) to
establish standards for the independent administration
of vaccines and related emergency medications,
including the completion of training.
Section 2 permits a pharmacist to independently
administer vaccines and related emergency medications
if the pharmacist is in compliance with the board's
standards. Defines "related emergency medication."
Section 3 adds the independent administration of
vaccines and related emergency medications to the
definition of the practice of pharmacy."
SENATOR MEYER asked if other states extend this authority to
pharmacists.
MS. CONWAY answered yes, but she didn't know which states grant
the authority. A study [copy in packets] that Walgreens
conducted concluded that states that offer pharmacists full
immunization privileges have higher vaccination uptick rates
than states with restricted or no authorization.
SENATOR MEYER asked how many states extend this privilege to
pharmacists.
MS. CONWAY said she didn't have that information.
CHAIR COSTELLO suggested she follow up with the information.
2:20:50 PM
SENATOR MEYER asked if Medicaid would pay for a pharmacist to
administer the vaccine.
MS. CONWAY replied the bill received a second fiscal note today
that addresses Medicaid. She deferred further explanation to the
Medicaid representative who was available on line.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what happens to the patient records when a
vaccine is administered by a pharmacist.
MS. CONWAY explained that all immunizations must be reported to
VacTrAK, the State of Alaska Immunization Information System.
SENATOR GIESSEL confirmed that was correct.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if lost vaccination records could be
accessed there.
MS. CONWAY answered yes; each person's individual vaccinations
are recorded.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked for an explanation of the DHSS fiscal note.
2:23:03 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Professional Licensing Operations Manager,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
explained that the average cost for a typical regulations
program is $2,500 and the fiscal note speaks to that cost.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if it's a request for services application
(RSA) for the Department of Law.
MS. CHAMBERS explained that the RSA covers the cost of the legal
review as well as postage, mailing, and printing of the
regulations that are sent to the licensees for comment.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked for confirmation that there would be no
additional cost if these regulations were coupled with other
regulations the board was already doing.
MS. CHAMBERS agreed that the fiscal note could be lower and have
a lesser impact to licensees if there was an ongoing regulations
project.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Hope to review the DHSS fiscal note,
OMB Component Number: 242.
2:25:27 PM
CHAD HOPE, Pharmacy Program Manager, Medicaid Assistance
Administration, Division of Health Care Services, Department of
Health and Social Services, explained that rule 42 CFR
455.410(b) of the Affordable Care Act requires Medicaid programs
to pay for covered services only when they are ordered,
rendered, or referred by enrolled Medicaid providers.
Pharmacists currently are not individually enrolled by Alaska
Medicaid, just pharmacies. To satisfy the federal requirement
for paying claims from an enrolled ordering provider, individual
pharmacists would need to be enrolled.
DHSS has not estimated any additional costs for the services,
but it has estimated an additional $50,000 to modify the claims
processing system to enroll individual pharmacists.
SENATOR GIESSEL said she wishes there was a way around the cost.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the effective date of the bill needed to
be amended if the claims processing system couldn't enroll
pharmacists before 7/1/2016.
MR. HOPE confirmed that it was extremely unlikely that
pharmacists could be enrolled prior to 7/1/16.
SENATOR MEYER requested additional explanation of the $50,000.
MR. HOPE explained that the $50,000 is the estimated cost to
either enroll a new provider type or add a subtype to the claims
processing system. It is not intended to be used for any
activity outside the enrollment of pharmacists.
MR. MEYER asked if this is a one-time expense.
MR. HOPE answered yes.
2:31:53 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on SB 71.
2:32:25 PM
SCOTT WATTS, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, said he is a
practicing pharmacist testifying in support of SB 71. New
pharmacists are coming out of school having been trained to
administer these vaccines. This will eventually reduce
healthcare costs while retaining the safety and tracking of the
vaccines.
JASON TAPLEY, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, said he is a
pharmacist who is new to Juneau testifying in support of SB 71.
He described working in a retail pharmacy in South Carolina, and
opined that it will be much easier and more cost-effective to
allow pharmacists to independently administer vaccines.
2:36:31 PM
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, Co-Chair Legislative Association, Alaska
Pharmacist Association (APA), said he is a second generation
community pharmacist in Ketchikan testifying in support of SB
71. He described the bill as a win-win-win. It will help
increase access to immunizations; it will help decrease
healthcare costs for employers; and it will help pharmacies
reduce paperwork. With regard to the fiscal note, he opined that
the $50,000 would be returned to the state very quickly.
2:39:43 PM
RYAN RUGGLES, District Pharmacy Manager, Carrs Safeway Alaska,
testified in support of SB 71. Prevention of disease is a
keystone to a healthy society and this one way to help achieve
it. Pharmacy-based immunizations are safe, convenient,
economical, and effective. Safeway has been administering
vaccinations since 2003 and received the American Pharmacists
Association Immunization Champion Award in 2014. Most
pharmacists have taken classes to get their degree regarding
immunizations and most have taken post-graduation continuing
education courses. He discussed the low incidence of flu and
tetanus inoculations among Alaskans and opined that easier and
more consistent access will increase participation.
MR. RUGGLES explained that the current model to give
vaccinations requires a collaborative practice agreement with
the provider, the pharmacist in charge, and the location that's
specified. When the managing pharmacist changes, the ability to
immunize lapses until there is a new collaborative practice
agreement. That can take from three to six months.
Responding to an earlier question about tracking immunizations,
he confirmed that Safeway participates in VacTrAK and provides
notice to whichever physician the patient has specified. He
concluded that the ultimate goal is to keep Alaskans healthy and
this bill moves in that direction.
2:44:32 PM
AMBER BRIGGS representing herself, said she is a hospital
pharmacist from Soldotna testifying in support of SB 71. She
discussed the rigorous training that pharmacists receive in the
administration of vaccines, disease epidemiology, vaccine
characteristics, and related topics. Responding to Senator
Meyer's question, she reported that 16 states currently do not
require a physician protocol prescription to administer a
vaccination.
SENATOR GIESSEL reviewed Ms. Briggs credentials and asked how
many years of schooling it takes to receive a doctor of pharmacy
degree.
MS. BRIGGS replied it takes four years of pharmacy school and
two to four years of undergraduate work.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that is similar to a physician.
MS. BRIGGS agreed.
2:47:30 PM
LIS HOUCHEN, Northwest Regional Director, National Association
of Chain Drug Stores, testified in support of SB 71 to allow
pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer
immunizations. In 2012 only 1.2 percent of Alaskans were
immunized for influenza, giving it the rank of 49th in the
country. She emphasized that removing the collaborative
agreement requirement will streamline the administration of
vaccines.
2:49:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced she would hold SB 71 for further
consideration.
^Confirmation Hearings
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
2:49:23 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the final order of business would be
confirmation hearings. She recognized Mr. Hemenway as an
appointee to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission, and
reviewed the commission's jurisdiction.
ANDREW HEMENWAY, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Appeals
Commission, stated that he is an administrative law judge with
the Office of Administrative Hearings. He has prior experience
with workers' compensation as a staff attorney for the Alaska
Supreme Court and in private practice. He explained that he is
approaching retirement and decided it was a good time to submit
his name for this position. He is doing so with the knowledge
that the commission is looking at making some structural changes
that could include eliminating it altogether and sending the
appeals to the superior court. He offered to answer questions.
CHAIR COSTELLO found no questions and thanked Mr. Hemenway.
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
CHAIR COSTELLO reviewed the composition of the Workers'
Compensation Board and asked Ms. Cline to tell the committee
about her interest in serving.
2:53:26 PM
PAMELA CLINE, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said she
would like to be reappointed to the board as a representative of
labor. This is an important role to ensure that injured workers
get treated and return to work as soon as possible. In response
to a question from the chair, she stated that she is a business
representative at the IBEW Local 1547. Prior to that she worked
as a certified pharmacy technician and as a representative for
the bargaining unit at MatSu Regional [Medical Center].
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Collins to tell the committee about
himself and his interest in continuing to serving.
2:54:35 PM
CHUCK COLLINS JR., Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation
Board, said he was a business owner for 20 years and now works
for the State of Alaska. He's been involved in many committees
and organizations in Juneau over the years. A previous
administration asked him to serve as an industry representative
and he's found it to be a very rewarding experience. He and the
labor representative in Juneau do the self-insurance overview.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Howdeshell to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in serving.
2:57:53 PM
JACOB HOWDESHELL, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said
he's a union representative of Laborers Local 942 in Fairbanks.
He's been in the industry for about 10 years and wants to serve
on the board to bring as much parity as possible.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Ms. Hutchings to tell the committee about
herself and why she is interested in serving.
2:59:09 PM
LINDA HUTCHINGS, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
said she lives in Soldotna and was first appointed to the board
in 2005. She's been actively involved in worker's compensation
as a business owner for the last 40 years and as an employee
that might be injured. She believes that in the last five to six
years the board has accomplished a lot and she looks forward to
helping continue that trend.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Traini to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in serving.
3:00:26 PM
RICK TRAINI, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said he has
worked for Teamsters Local 959 since 2007. He was first
appointed to the board to fill a partial term in 2010 and was
appointed to a second term in 2012. He would appreciate the
opportunity to serve again. It's an important adjudicative
process that allows injured workers to see labor and industry
lay members from the community and feel that somebody will
listen and they'll get a fair hearing when there's a dispute.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Ms. Vollendorf to tell the committee about
herself and why she is interested in continuing to serve.
3:01:46 PM
PATRICIA VOLLENDORF, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation
Board, said she was a teacher in Anchorage from 1963 until she
retired in 1993. She served on the board from 1993 to 1997 and
from 2004 until the present. She has seen a lot of changes on
the board and most are for the better. She has enjoyed the
service and looks forward to continuing.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Williams to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in continuing to serve.
3:02:32 PM
LAKE WILLIAMS, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
said this will be his second term on the board. He currently
works as the District 7 Representative for the International
Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 in Fairbanks. He listed
his board memberships and relayed that he has a bachelor's
degree in business administration. He has enjoyed serving on the
board and would like to continue.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Weel to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in continuing to serve.
3:03:57 PM
ROBERT WEEL, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said he's
served as an industry representative since 2006 and feels he has
a good understanding of the hearing process. He would enjoy
serving another term.
SENATOR GIESSEL commented that she finds it interesting that
there is no a limit on the number of terms someone can serve on
the Workers' Compensation Board.
CHAIR COSTELLO agreed that this board has a lot of longevity.
She thanked the nominees and announced she would set the names
aside and report all the nominations from the Senate Labor and
Commerce Standing Committee in one group. [The names were
advanced on 3/31/2015.]
3:06:31 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 3:06 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 29 - Version A.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Request for Hearing SLC.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - Fiscal Note.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - State Med Board Expend. & Rev..pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - State Medical Board Minutes 1.17.13.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - Support Resolution Paramedic Assoc.of Alaska.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 14 - Version W.PDF |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Hearing Request Memo.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Fiscal Note.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Paramedic Association Resolution.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - NHTSA Report Excerpt.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - NAEMT Position Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Alaska State Medical Board Exp & Rev.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - EMSRDC Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Dr. Ken Zafren Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - AK Fire Chiefs Resolution.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - ACEMS Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 71 - Version W.PDF |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Senate L&C Hearing Request.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Fiscal Note DCCED.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Fiscal Note DHSS.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Briefing Paper - AK Pharmacist Assn.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Suport NACDS.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support - AK Pharmacists Assn.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Brown.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Garrison.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Island Pharmacy.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Ron's Apothecary.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Relevant Article - American Journal of Managed Care.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Resolution of Support - Board of Pharmacy.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| Williams, Lake - Worker's Comp Board.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Appeals - Hemenway #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Allen.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Cline #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Collins #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Howdeshell #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Hutchings #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Traini #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Vollendorf #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Weel #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Worker's Comp Board - Williams #1.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |