Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
02/16/2016 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB127 | |
| SB123 | |
| SB114 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 114 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 127 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 127-INSURER'S USE OF CREDIT HISTORY/SCORES
9:01:05 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of SB 127.
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that previous questions by members would
be addressed. He referred to the "Arkansas model" and said about
34 percent of people benefitted from credit scoring, 38.9
percent were held harmless and the remainder had a negative
impact. He said the Extraordinary Life Circumstances and Events
Provision has a large safety net.
9:02:29 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if anyone wished to testify. Finding no one,
he closed public testimony.
9:03:02 AM
LAUREN RASMUSSEN, Staff, Senator Huggins, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, offered to review SB 127.
CHAIR STOLTZE requested that Ms. Wing-Heier address questions
previously asked by committee members.
9:03:51 AM
LORI WING-HEIER, Division of Insurance, Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska, addressed
questions related to SB 127 posed in the previous committee
meeting. She said a question was asked whether credit is used to
assess individual health insurance policies. She explained that
credit scoring is not allowed as a factor in underwriting
individual health insurance under the Affordable Care Act or
under state law. Senator Wielechowski had asked about the impact
of credit scoring on low income individuals and in the case of
race. She reported that some data has shown that low-income
individuals have been impacted to some extent. She stated that
there is not enough data to show that race is a factor. She
cited several studies that agreed on those results.
9:05:42 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE said there was a zero-fiscal note which will
reduce the department's work load. He requested clarification.
MS. WING-HEIER explained that the zero-fiscal note reflects a
reduced work load due to consumer and broker calls regarding
credit scoring.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI noted complaints and concerns from the
insurance industry on consumer rate increases upon renewal, even
for those with good credit. He pointed out that the insurance
company can waive that provision.
MS. WING-HEIER answered correct, but specified that the issue
has been finding a new insurer or having to do the waiver
itself.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI summarized that the insurance company can
offer the waiver.
MS. WING-HEIER answered correct.
CHAIR STOLTZE asked for the administration's position on the
bill.
MS. WING-HEIER said the administration is neutral.
9:08:37 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report SB 127 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero-fiscal note. There
being no objection, the motion carried.
9:08:47 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that without objection, SB 127 was
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.