Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
03/15/2012 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB127 | |
| HB218 | |
| HB343 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 127 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 343 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 127-FETAL ALCOHOL DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY
3:06:41 PM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 127 "An Act establishing September 9 each year
as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day."
3:07:09 PM
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, introduced SB
127, which proclaimed September 9 each year as Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day. He shared that the
ninth day of the ninth month, was in recognition for the nine
months of pregnancy during which a woman needed to abstain from
partaking any alcohol. He noted that the intent of SB 127 was
to make this a permanent recognition, with no need to
reintroduce it each year. He paraphrased from the sponsor
statement, which read:
Alaska has the highest known incidence of FASD in the
United States. This is a condition caused by prenatal
exposure to alcohol, which can result in permanent
brain damage, birth defects, learning disabilities,
behavioral problems and most tragically, the loss of
individual potential.
He declared his frustration that, although FASD was a totally
preventable condition, it cost society millions of dollars and
the child had to live with this condition. He mused that the
proposed bill would increase awareness and educate the public,
both men and women, for the issues and consequences of drinking
while pregnant. He pointed out that it was also necessary to
help the kids impacted by FASD, noting that many FASD kids were
in special education programs and in correctional facilities.
He observed that, although FASD kids looked healthy, their
brains did not process in a normal way because of the effects of
alcohol during pregnancy.
3:11:27 PM
CHAIR KELLER, stating that he had agreed to introduce a
corresponding FASD bill in the House, asked the sponsor if there
would be a reminder about FASD each year.
3:12:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON, directing attention to the sponsor
statement, announced that the man should also abstain from
alcohol during the pregnancy, in support of the woman.
3:12:53 PM
SENATOR MEYER expressed his agreement that it was the
responsibility of both parents to abstain, even if only the
woman's drinking impacted the child.
3:13:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that the proposed bill dovetailed
with House Concurrent Resolution 5, passed in 2011, which
promoted the prevention of disease and illness.
3:14:14 PM
CHAIR KELLER opened public testimony.
3:14:45 PM
DEBRA EVENSEN, Coordinator, FAS Alaska Program, shared that she
had worked with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) programs
since 1986 in Alaska. She expressed her support for the
proposed bill. She pointed out that the medical profession had
been aware of FASD since 1973, yet many young people still did
not realize the damage done with alcohol during pregnancy. She
told a story about a young pregnant woman who professed an
understanding of FASD, yet declared that a little bit of alcohol
did not affect a fetus. She pronounced that a day proclaiming
FASD Awareness would educate many more people.
3:17:26 PM
MONICA CHARLES-LEINBERGER, FASD Behavior Specialist, Lower
Kuskokwim School District, said that she also served on the FAS
diagnostic team and steering committee for Alaska. She
expressed her agreement with the importance of addressing the
damage from alcohol to an unborn child. She declared that
although this particular disability was not outwardly visible,
the inside of the brain was different. She pointed out that
progressions in learning, self-expression, and behavior were
areas of recognizable differences. As most of the public did
not understand the brain differences and the learning
differences with FASD children, the child was often viewed as
disrespectful, non-compliant, and defiant. She declared that,
as Alaska lead the nation in the use of alcohol, a proclamation
about FASD, with open discussion, would send a statewide message
to all the people thinking about having children.
3:21:03 PM
KATE BURKHART, Executive Director, Advisory Board on Alcoholism
& Drug Abuse, Alaska Mental Health Board, Division of Behavioral
Health, Department of Health and Social Services, clarified that
her comments were on behalf of the Advisory Board and the Mental
Health Board, but not on behalf of the Department of Health and
Social Services. She explained that her organizations were
members of the Alaska Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
partnership, a statewide coalition which fully supported
proposed SB 127. She highlighted that continuing education was
still necessary, and although the alcohol industry was
supportive, an annual survey indicated that over half the
pregnant mothers drank in the three months prior to pregnancy,
which was also a contributor to the incidences of FASD. She
reported that 20 - 25 percent of pregnant women did not have a
patient consultation about the effects of alcohol exposure on a
fetus. She pointed out that, although a great deal of progress
had been made, it was still necessary to educate the health care
community.
3:23:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT asked about the lack of FASD counseling
for women during prenatal care.
MS. BURKHART explained that about 20 - 25 percent of the women
surveyed by PRAMS, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System,
reported no counseling for FASD during prenatal care. She
stated that some practitioners did not aggressively educate
their patients on the importance of alcohol abstinence during
pregnancy. She emphatically stated that research had indicated
that even minor or moderate alcoholic consumption during
pregnancy could be harmful.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT shared that her daughter's pregnancy
counseling had recommended no consumption of drugs or alcohol
during pregnancy.
MS. BURKHART relayed that although there were excellent patient
educational services, the PRAMS survey indicated the need for
improvement.
3:25:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON expressed his incredulity and reflected on
prior legislation from the late 1980s which required postings
that alcohol during pregnancy was dangerous to the baby. He
asked if it was required for this to be posted in medical
offices.
MS. BURKHART, in response, said that it was addressed in the
standards of care that applied to the various health
practitioners. She pointed out that almost 75 percent did
receive the patient education.
3:26:39 PM
CHAIR KELLER stressed that the role of the father during
pregnancy should be emphasized.
MS. BURKHART shared that the coordination with restaurants on
FASD Awareness Day resulted in many restaurants offering free
non-alcoholic beverages to pregnant women, as well as to their
partners.
3:27:58 PM
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony.
3:28:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT pronounced that information about FASD
should be posted in all the doctor offices in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT moved to report SB 127 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, SB 127 was reported from the
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.