05/06/1999 09:15 AM Senate FIN

                                                                                                                                
 SENATE BILL NO. 97                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
"An Act relating to confidential mental health                                                                                  
records; relating to mental health services and                                                                                 
programs; relating to liability for payment for mental                                                                          
health evaluation and treatment services; and                                                                                   
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 97(HES)                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
"An Act relating to mental health services and                                                                                  
programs; relating to liability for payment for mental                                                                          
health evaluation and treatment services; and                                                                                   
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
LORNA RAMERT, staff to Senator P. Kelly was invited to join                                                                     
the committee.  She read the sponsor statement into the                                                                         
record.  She advised that the department was present to                                                                         
answer any specific questions.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Adams he had questions for the department.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
GINA MCDONALD, Special Projects Coordinator, Division of                                                                        
mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Department of                                                                     
Health and Social Services was invited to join the                                                                              
committee.  She responded to questions from Senator Adams                                                                       
regarding patients for API.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
JANET CLARKE, Director, Division of Administrative                                                                              
Services, Department of Health and Social Services was                                                                          
invited to join the committee.  He said funds were                                                                              
available through FY 2001 for downsized API.  The Mental                                                                        
Health Trust Authority supported downsized API.  In                                                                             
response to Senator Torgerson she indicated this included                                                                       
new federal dollars and they were working in close                                                                              
conjunction with U.S. Senator Ted Stevens.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilken MOVED CSSB 97(), version "K".  Senator                                                                           
Phillips noted his conflict.  Co-chair Torgerson duly noted                                                                     
it.  WITHOUT OBJECTION CSSB 97() "K" was ADOPTED.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman asked about the submission of records                                                                             
requirement for determining eligibility.  Ms. McDonald                                                                          
indicated that the Department of Law could respond to this                                                                      
question.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SHANNON O'FALLON, Assistant Attorney General, Human                                                                             
Services Section, Civil Division Juneau, Department of Law                                                                      
was invited to join the committee.  She responded to                                                                            
Senator Leman.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Green asked about page two, lines twenty-three.                                                                         
Ms. O'Fallon said it might be necessary to establish an                                                                         
individual's eligibility by questioning a spouse or other                                                                       
proper person.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
PAT CLASBY and LORRAINE DERR, Alaska State Hospital and                                                                         
Nursing Home Association were invited to join the                                                                               
committee.  Ms. Clasby advised the committee that the                                                                           
language on page two, section (c) was compromised language.                                                                     
The department was allowed to issue an administrative order                                                                     
for full liability for cost of patient care rather than                                                                         
incur the costs of the department taking the matter to the                                                                      
Court.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Torgerson SET ASIDE, CSSB 97() "K" work draft.  He                                                                     
then called SB 130.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at ease.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Torgerson reconvened the committee.