Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/14/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB159 | |
| HB121 | |
| SB154 | |
| SB121 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 154 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 154-HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD
2:42:54 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 154 "An
Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory
Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and
providing for an effective date."
2:43:22 PM
SENATOR YUNDT speaking as sponsor of SB 154 he introduced the
bill:
[Original punctuation provided.]
An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards
Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care
services; and providing for an effective date."
Seniors are the fastest growing demographic in the
state of Alaska1 and are living longer lives.2 The
state's 85+ population is expected to increase by 500
percent between 2022 and 2050, of which, 1/3 will
experience Alzheimer's and Related Dementia. The
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
predicts home care, a part of Alaska's continuum of
care services for seniors and people with
disabilities, to be one of the fastest growing and
most in demand occupations in the state.
Alaska faces an acute shortage of direct care workers,
particularly outside of population centers. The
potential provider workforce demographic, those age 18
to 64, is in decline. Furthermore, low pay and lack
of benefits force many caregivers out of the
profession and make recruitment and retention
increasingly more difficult for agencies providing in-
home care services.
2:44:58 PM
SENATOR YUNDT continued:
We need to create strong and long-lasting home care
infrastructure in Alaska which will expand access to
quality, affordable home and community-based care for
seniors and people with disabilities, keep people in
their homes and out of costly facilities, and bolster
the creation of jobs. We also need to ensure that
Medicaid funding for personal care services is wisely
spent, with an adequate portion of the rate going to
pay and benefits for direct care workers, in order to
help address the workforce shortage. SB 154
accomplishes both of these objects by:
• Establishing a Home Care Employment Standards
Advisory Board that will investigate, advise, and
develop recommendations on Medicaid rates and other
policies to improve the wages, working conditions, and
recruitment and retention of direct care workers.
• Requiring that agencies providing personal care
services spend at least 70 percent of the total annual
funding they receive from the department for personal
care services on the pay and benefits of Personal Care
Assistants providing such services.
2:46:26 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced invited testimony on SB 154.
2:46:37 PM
JUDY JESSEN, Senior Political and Advocacy Organizer, Service
Employees International Union 775 (SEIU), Anchorage, Alaska,
testified by invitation on SB 154. She stated that the bill
strengthens Alaska's long-term care system by addressing the
growing demand for senior and disability care amid a shrinking
caregiver workforce. SB 154 ensures a higher portion of Medicaid
personal care funds of 70 percent that goes directly to
caregiver pay and benefits rather than agency overhead,
improving transparency and compensation. She said with home care
significantly cheaper than institutional care, SB 154 supports a
sustainable, cost-effective, and well-trained care workforce for
Alaska's aging population.
2:50:41 PM
MS. JESSEN stated that some unionized caregivers received $2$4
hourly raises, but many did not, and there's little transparency
on how agencies used Medicaid rate increases. SB 154 addresses
this by requiring reporting on how funds are spent and creating
a Workforce Standards Advisory Board to bring together
caregivers, providers, clients, and the Department of Health to
plan for long-term workforce needs. SB 154 promotes
accountability, informed rate setting, and collaborative
planning to strengthen Alaska's home care system and address the
growing caregiver shortage.
2:53:38 PM
ISATOU MBOGE, Caregiver, Service Employees International Union
(SEIU), Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 154.
She said she helps clients with daily activities they can't do
on their own, such as bathing, grooming, and mobility support.
Caregiving is more than a job because she cares and values the
relationships she builds. She said there's a serious shortage of
caregivers, especially in rural areas, and many must work
multiple part-time jobs without health insurance. SB 154's
advisory board would allow caregivers, clients, and agencies to
collaborate on issues like training, workforce needs and giving
clients a stronger voice in their care.
2:57:42 PM
BJ REDD MENDEZ, Caregiver, Service Employees International Union
(SEIU), Wasilla, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 154. She
stated that she cares for her father, brother, and son, all with
serious health conditions. She said being a caregiver in Alaska
is difficult and undervalued; low pay, high living costs, and
lack of health insurance force her to work two full-time jobs.
She said after 25 years of caregiving, she is asking for better
pay, benefits, and respect for the profession. SB 154 would help
address these needs, support caregivers, and ensure quality care
for Alaskans who depend on us.
3:02:10 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 154 in committee.