Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/12/2022 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB175 | |
| SB124 | |
| SB216 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 175 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 184 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 124 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 12, 2022
1:48 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator David Wilson, Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lora Reinbold
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 175
"An Act relating to telehealth; relating to the practice of
medicine; relating to medical assistance coverage for services
provided by telehealth; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 175(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 124
"An Act relating to admission to and detention at a subacute
mental health facility; establishing a definition for 'subacute
mental health facility'; establishing a definition for 'crisis
residential center'; relating to the definitions for 'crisis
stabilization center'; relating to the administration of
psychotropic medication in a crisis situation; relating to
licensed facilities; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 124(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 216
"An Act relating to dementia awareness."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 184
"An Act relating to Alaska Native settlement trusts and
eligibility for adult public assistance, senior benefits, and
the Alaska Pioneers' Home."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 175
SHORT TITLE: HEALTH CARE SERVICES BY TELEHEALTH
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WILSON
02/01/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/22 (S) HSS, L&C
02/24/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/24/22 (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony --
03/03/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/03/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/03/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/10/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/10/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/17/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/17/22 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/31/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/31/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/31/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/12/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 124
SHORT TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES & MEDS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
04/12/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/12/21 (S) HSS, FIN
04/27/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/27/21 (S) Heard & Held
04/27/21 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/29/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/29/21 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/04/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/04/21 (S) Heard & Held
05/04/21 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
05/05/21 (S) JUD REFERRAL ADDED AFTER HSS
05/06/21 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/06/21 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/08/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/08/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/08/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/15/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/15/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/15/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/17/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/17/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/17/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/22/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/22/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/22/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
03/23/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/23/22 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/25/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/25/22 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/29/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/29/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/29/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/07/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/07/22 (S) Heard & Held
04/07/22 (S) MINUTE(HSS)
04/12/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 216
SHORT TITLE: DEMENTIA AWARENESS
SPONSOR(s): COSTELLO
02/22/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/22 (S) HSS, FIN
04/12/22 (S) HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
KATIE MCCALL, Staff
Senator Mia Costello
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sponsor statement and
sectional analysis for SB 216 on behalf of the sponsor.
PAM KELLEY, Executive Director
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SB 216.
NONA SAFRA, Member
Alaska Commission on Aging
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SB 216.
ELIZABETH BOLLING, Public Policy Manager
Alzheimer's Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 216.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:48:17 PM
CHAIR DAVID WILSON called the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:48 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Costello, Hughes, and Chair Wilson.
Senator Begich arrived thereafter.
SB 175-HEALTH CARE SERVICES BY TELEHEALTH
1:49:16 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 175
"An Act relating to telehealth; relating to the practice of
medicine; relating to medical assistance coverage for services
provided by telehealth; and providing for an effective date."
1:49:39 PM
At ease.
1:50:01 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and solicited a motion.
1:50:05 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report SB 175, work order 32-LS1421\G,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
1:50:17 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and CSSB 175(HSS) was reported
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
1:50:23 PM
At ease.
SB 124-MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES & MEDS
1:51:58 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 124 "An Act relating to
admission to and detention at a subacute mental health facility;
establishing a definition for 'subacute mental health facility';
establishing a definition for 'crisis residential center';
relating to the definitions for 'crisis stabilization center';
relating to the administration of psychotropic medication in a
crisis situation; relating to licensed facilities; and providing
for an effective date."
He noted that this was the ninth hearing and the committee had
worked through all the amendments.
1:52:17 PM
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion.
1:52:25 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt [the committee substitute for] SB
124, work order 32-GS1730\I, as the working document.
1:52:36 PM
CHAIR WILSON objected for discussion purposes. He explained that
version I incorporates all the amendments that passed during the
previous hearings and it also amends the language in what is now
Section 29 to conform to Emergency Order 121 and the bifurcation
of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). Items in
Section 29 refer to the Department of Health.
1:53:03 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no questions and removed his objection; he
found no further objection, and version I was adopted as the
working document.
1:53:31 PM
CHAIR WILSON discerned there were no questions from the
administration.
1:53:37 PM
SENATOR HUGHES said she was committed to giving the bill
additional scrutiny in the next committee of referral. A
question that came up among her constituents was whether a
person could be taken to a crisis stabilization center for their
beliefs. On three separate occasions the committee was assured
on the record that is not the case. That is the intent in this
bill, which is one reason for it to pass.
SENATOR HUGHES also noted the concerns about the potency of the
medications that may be used, but it has been emphasized
repeatedly that they are used as a last resort to prevent injury
or death. She added that she was aware of a faith-based
organization in her area that was interested in opening a crisis
stabilization center and if she had a family member in crisis
she would prefer to have this bill in place so her family member
could go to this center instead of jail or a hospital. Those are
the options today and being detained in either a hospital or
jail is more restrictive and less humane than these crisis
centers. These centers are essentially outpatient clinics and
the person in crisis would be able to have a friend, family
member, or paster be there too.
SENATOR HUGHES highlighted that the bill was also improved from
the initial version in terms of notification and consent. The
committee also heard from Mr. Gottstein about the patient rights
that the bill addresses. She said the bill still needs work, but
it is far better than the status quo and therefore she is
supporting passage.
1:57:37 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report CSSB 124(HSS), work order 32-
GS1730\I, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
1:57:51 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and CSSB 124(HSS) was reported
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
1:57:57 PM
At ease.
SB 216-DEMENTIA AWARENESS
1:59:57 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 216 "An Act relating to
dementia awareness."
2:00:22 PM
SENATOR MIA COSTELLO, speaking as sponsor, stated that SB 216 is
important because Alzheimer affects so many Alaskans. The bill
does two things. First, it would create a statewide Dementia
Awareness Program to educate Alaskans about dementia. Second, it
would set the state up to receive federal funding for dementia
education through the 2018 Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD)
Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. She deferred further
introduction to Katie McCall.
CHAIR WILSON recognized that Senator Begich had joined the
committee.
2:02:01 PM
KATIE MCCALL, Staff, Senator Mia Costello, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read the sponsor statement for SB
216 on behalf of the sponsor:
Senate Bill 234 addresses the growing number of people
living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
by directing the Department of [Health] to develop a
statewide dementia awareness program with the goal of
educating the public about the importance of early
detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Fewer than half of Americans living with Alzheimer's
disease receive a formal diagnosis, meaning that many
Alaskans with dementia have yet to receive a
diagnosis, which further delays valuable treatment
options. Senate Bill 234 is intended to improve the
rate of diagnosis for dementia in Alaska and to
educate clinicians, health professionals, and the
public on the early warning signs of dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is one of ten types of dementia
and is the ninth leading cause of death for Alaskans.
More than 12,500 Alaskans are currently living with
dementia, and with the implementation of a statewide
dementia awareness program, the number of Alaskans who
receive an early diagnosis is expected to increase.
The creation of a dementia awareness campaign will
help diagnose those suffering from dementia and help
Alaska be prepared for what has been called "the most
underrated threat to public health in the 21st
century." Additionally, the creation of the dementia
awareness program within the Department of [Health]
will position the state to receive federal funding for
dementia education, which is available through the
2018 federal legislation known as the "Building Our
Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act,"
or the BOLD Act.
2:03:58 PM
MS. MCCALL read the sectional analysis for SB 216 on behalf of
the sponsor:
Sec. 1 AS 18.09.300 Page 1, Lines 3-15 & Page 2,
Lines 1-29
Is amended by adding a new section that would create a
statewide dementia awareness program within the
Department of [Health]. This new section requires the
program to secure the full benefits available to the
state under the federal law 42 U.S.C. 280c-3 280c-5.
The department is required to create and provide
dementia educational materials to health boards,
physicians, hospitals, and medical clinics for
distribution to the public.
The department must also develop educational programs
for the court system, law enforcement, firefighters,
social service providers, and emergency responders to
educate those individuals on recognizing the symptoms
and needs of persons with dementia.
This new section of law requires the department to
maintain a list of state providers who diagnose,
evaluate, or manage dementia.
The department is also required to develop and
implement a public awareness campaign by coordinating
with the major state and national nonprofit dementia
organizations.
The public awareness campaign will implement
community-based programs to educate the public about
dementia and encourage the public to seek diagnosis.
Additionally, the awareness campaign will publicize
the scope and magnitude of dementia in the state,
promote the benefits of early detection and diagnosis,
increase awareness of methods to minimize the risk of
developing dementia, and inform Alaskans about
services available in the state to diagnose and treat
dementia.
2:05:48 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked how much funding the state expects to
receive, when it would be available, and what it could be used
for related to dementia.
MS. MCCALL deferred to Elizabeth Bolling to speak to the federal
legislation.
SENATOR HUGHES said she would wait until Ms. Bolling testifies,
and she might also be the one to talk about whether early
diagnosis of dementia might improve the prognosis.
MS. MCCALL offered her understanding that early diagnosis
improves outcomes for both the person experiencing Alzheimer's
and their family.
2:07:41 PM
CHAIR WILSON turned to invited testimony on SB 216.
2:07:59 PM
PAM KELLEY, Executive Director, Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska
(ARA), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that ARA is the largest
dementia services organization operating in the state, with
offices in MatSu, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. She advised
that she also chairs the Alaska Dementia Action Collaborative
that is a workgroup of more than 35 public, private, tribal, and
nonprofit stakeholders working to improve the state's ability to
prepare for the growing number of Alaskans who experience
dementia.
MS. KELLEY reported that ARA has assisted tens of thousands of
Alaskans affected by dementia over the last 38 years. Many
approach ARA after they or a family member has begun to
experience symptoms. By then it's usually too late for
preventative measures, but ARA works with the individuals to
help slow the rate of cognitive decline, maintain engagement in
their community and environment, and help them plan and adapt to
these progressive and ultimately fatal conditions.
MS. KELLEY stressed the need to build greater awareness in those
Alaskans who are not experiencing the wearying symptoms
dementia, because that is what it will take to reduce the grim
forecast. The Dementia Action Collaborative current estimate is
that 12,500 Alaskans experience dementia today and that by 2030
that number will have reached 23,000. She said most people in
their 20s, 30s, or 40s aren't thinking about dementia, but that
is when the risk factors can be modified.
MS. KELLEY said she didn't want the committee to think that
there's no public awareness work on dementia being done in
Alaska, There is, but it's being done piecemeal. ARA and many
other organizations work at health fairs, community events, and
at speaking engagements, but what SB 216 would do is help Alaska
create a population-wide campaign. It would include messages in
many languages about early lifestyle choices to minimize risk
and the value of early detection.
MS. KELLEY said she supports SB 216 because she wants the state
to have better data about the extent of dementia in Alaska. She
knows the Division of Public Health has the expertise to refine
that data and operate a health campaign that has impact. She
relayed that she also knows that federal dollars are available
to help in that effort and that to have dedicated expertise in
the department that is focused on dementia will be an important
resource for Alaska in the years to come. She said it is for all
these reasons that the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska and the
Dementia Action Collaborative support SB 216.
2:13:19 PM
SENATOR BEGICH asked if she worked with or was aware of the
Commission on Aging's position on the bill.
MS. KELLEY answered yes; the Commission on Aging supports SB
216. That organization is part of the Dementia Action
Collaborative.
CHAIR WILSON noted that Nona Safra with the Commission on Aging
was also invited to testify and she was up next.
2:14:39 PM
NONA SAFRA, Member, Alaska Commission on Aging, Homer, Alaska,
stated support for SB 216 on behalf of the commission. She read
the following prepared testimony:
We are currently working on the next five-year plan
for senior services, and dementia awareness will be
part of that plan as it has become a public health
crisis that's devastating to Alaska. The Commission on
Aging works with partners such as the Mental Health
Trust, Alzheimer's Resources, and the Traumatic and
Acquired Brain Injury Council to explore what is
working and what isn't so we can best understand the
impact dementia has on Alaskans, their caregivers, and
their families in our ever-growing population of
seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans. And
we can better understand the challenges of those whose
dementia is complicated by mental illness, brain
injury, developmental disabilities, and substance
abuse. But our workforce and budget may be impacted by
the sheer number of Alaskans who will be diagnosed
with dementia in the next decade. So Alaska needs a
better way to handle this.
MS. SOFRA continued her testimony:
A staggering example of the scope of the issue can be
seen in the Pioneer Homes where it is estimated that
58 percent of the residents have dementia, and that
number will be rising.
SB 216 helps Alaskans who have or are caring for
someone already diagnosed with dementia and those who
have yet to be properly diagnosed by raising awareness
of changes that can be made to their lifestyles and
behaviors to mitigate the onset of dementia.
Today, I'm also speaking as an Alaska who has a brain
injury, which increases my odds for dementia. Imagine
my anxiety every time I'm forgetful. This bill will
teach Alaskans like me how to delay that onset. But
I'm also a caregiver for someone who has been
diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so I'm speaking from
experience and my heart. It would be an understatement
to say it was challenging to navigate the path to get
help once I understood someone I care about had
dementia. It was too late for him to benefit from the
awareness programs but it's not too late for other
Alaskans and those who love them. SB 216 will help
them get better access to diagnosis, evaluations, and
to manage this disease.
So I speak for Alaskans who have brain injuries from
accidents, health conditions, as well as the thousands
of survivors in our state of domestic abuse who don't
understand that their odds have increased and that
things can be done now to change their odds. The
passage of SB 216 gives Alaskans a safety net, which
provides Alaskans a viable alternative before crisis
intervention is necessary. We're moving Alaska in the
right direction with its passage. With federal receipt
authority written in, Alaska can access funds under
the BOLD Act. Not applying for these funds would be a
missed opportunity for Alaska families.
MS. SOFRA continued her testimony:
As an advocate for seniors, veterans, and others with
disabilities, I ask you, 'If I'm not for others, who
am I? And if not now, when?'
Alaskans like me depend on you, our senators, to do
this so I urge the committee to support this bill.
2:18:40 PM
CHAIR WILSON noted who was available to answer questions and
asked Elizabeth Bolling if she had any comments or responses to
the member's ongoing questions.
2:19:00 PM
ELIZABETH BOLLING, Public Policy Manager, Alzheimer's
Association, Anchorage, Alaska, started that she could provide
an explanation of the federal funding available for dementia
education through the 2018 BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's
Act. She credited the federal delegation for helping to get an
additional $25 million for the program that has four levels of
grants for which states can apply. Because Alaska has no
dementia education programs, SB 216 will help the state qualify
for the Core Capacity Grant, which is typically between $300
thousand and $500 thousand.
2:20:00 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO asked if she could provide information about
the four levels of federal grants in the program.
MS. BOLLING stated that the Core Capacity Grant is to create a
public awareness program. The next level is to create a
statewide dementia coalition. She noted that Alaska currently
has an informal coalition that is funded through the Alaska
Mental Health Trust, but to qualify for this level of grant the
state would need to create an officially designated organization
to do statewide coalition dementia work. To qualify for the
third level would require updating the strategic plan using
federal roadmaps for dementia as a guide. The last grant level
is the Enhanced Recipient Level, which is for states that have
robust dementia programs that usually engage with tribes on a
variety of services or implement activities that are aligned
with federal strategic plans.
2:22:01 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked her to send the details to his office about
the grant levels and how the state might qualify, and he would
distribute the information to the committee.
MS. BOLLING said she would send the grant information,
information about the BOLD Act, and the Health Brain Initiative
Road Map to his office
2:22:41 PM
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony on SB 216; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
[CHAIR WILSON held SB 216 in committee.]
2:23:19 PM
At ease.
2:28:31 PM
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and reviewed the committee's
schedule.
2:29:22 PM
SENATOR BEGICH thanked the committee for the good work it did on
SB 124.
2:29:55 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Wilson adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 2:29 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| AARP Supports SB216.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 Letter of Support Mental Health Trust.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 Letter of Support AARP.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 Letter of Support SEIU.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 LOS 3.21.22.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 Sectional Analysis v. A.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| Trust LOS SB216 Final.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 Alzheimer's Association 10 Warning Signs.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 216 FN PH 4.8.22.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 216 |
| SB 184 A 1.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 184 |
| SB 124 MSHF Letter of Support.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 124 |
| SB 124 V I.pdf |
SHSS 4/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 124 |