Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/29/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB140 | |
| SB144 | |
| SB160 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 140 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 144
"An Act temporarily reinstating the child and adult
immunization program in the Department of Health and
Social Services; and providing for an effective date."
9:11:14 AM
Senator Ellis MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for CS SB 144 (FIN), Work Draft 27-LS1068\R
(Mischel, 2/21/21). Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for purpose
of discussion.
DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, discussed
the sectional changes in the work draft. He pointed out
page 3, line 3, and explained that the previous version of
SB 144 stated that for children under 19 years of age, the
Commissioner may approve any vaccines that had been
specifically prohibited. He noted that page 3, line 4
included new language that said for a child under 19 years
of age, all vaccines required for school attendance would
be provided. Also, there was a specific inclusion of
meningococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV), and rotavirus.
The previous version of the bill specifically included
influenza, pneumococcal, and TDAP vaccines. The proposed
work draft, on page 3, line 7, added the Shingles vaccine.
He explained that the previous version allowed for the
Commissioner to add or subtract vaccines for inclusion in
the program based on nationally recognized public health
standards and the availability of funding. The work draft
changed that language by stating that the Commissioner can
add vaccines for inclusion based on recommendations and the
availability of funding, and only allowing the Commissioner
to subtract vaccines from the program if the disease had
been declared eradicated by the Centers for Disease
Control. He stated that it would be incumbent on the
legislature to be sure the program is fully funded for
three years, since the Commissioner was not allowed to
subtract vaccines. He noted the new fiscal note had
increased the cost of the program to $4.632 million.
Senator Olson wondered if the proposed committee substitute
had the support of the Commissioner of the Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS). Mr. Peterson replied
that a representative from DHSS was available to testify
regarding their support. He explained that DHSS had
expressed concern regarding the flexibility of the
Commissioner to add or subtract vaccines. The
Commissioner's oversight was restricted in order to prevent
political influence to add or subtract vaccines. He
stressed that the change made for the children vaccines
allowed some flexibility for the Commissioner, because
there was a statute that declared,
In the judgment of the Commissioner of Health and
Social Services, if it is necessary for the children
and general public, then vaccines can be administered
to children.
Senator Olson wondered if the parents had the option of
opting out of the HPV vaccine. Mr. Peterson replied that
parents had that option.
Co-Chair Hoffman removed his objection. There being NO
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, introduced herself.
Co-Chair Hoffman requested a review of the SB 144. Senator
Giessel stated that in previous years the federal
government had provided the State of Alaska with $4.3
million for the vaccine program, and the amount had
currently decreased to $700,000. She stated that the
governor had included an additional $700,000 for the
vaccination program in his proposed budget. SB 144 was
designed to provide state funding for the remainder of the
cost of for the vaccine program. She stressed that there
would be a loss of preventative medicine in Alaska, if the
bill did not pass.
Senator Olson wondered if Senator Giessel was in favor of
the proposed committee substitute. Senator Giessel replied
that she was in favor of the proposed committee substitute.
Senator Ellis MOVED to report CS SB 144 (FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS SB 144 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal impact note from
the Senate Finance Committee for the Department of Health
and Social Services.
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