Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
03/13/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB83 | |
| SB9 | |
| SCR2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SCR 2-SUPPORT CRISIS CARE & MEDICAID REFORM
4:06:45 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Supporting
an all-payer crisis continuum of care and Medicaid reform; and
urging the Governor to direct the Department of Health and the
division of insurance to develop recommendations for an all-
payer model for crisis care.
4:07:17 PM
ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, offered the sponsor statement for SCR 2 on behalf
of the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee. She
paraphrased the following statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Crisis Now is a model for behavioral health care that
provides a phalanx of services, including a 24/7
crisis call center, crisis stabilization, and more,
that prevent crisis from escalating to expensive,
potentially harmful emergency room visits. Developed
by the Crisis Services Task Force of the National
Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and first
implemented in Arizona, this model is credited with
saving millions of dollars in healthcare costs while
improving outcomes for patients and communities.
Recognizing the model's effectiveness and
extraordinary degree of need in our state, the Alaska
Mental Health Trust Authority and the State of Alaska
partnered in 2020 to implement Crisis Now in Alaska.
4:07:45 PM
MS. WIGGIN continued with the sponsor statement for SCR 2:
The Alaska State Legislature has made significant
progress in improving crisis behavioral health
services through the establishment of a statewide
crisis continuum of care. A pillar of the Crisis Now
model, the 24- hour call line, was launched in July
2022. The long-term sustainability of these essential
services, especially the call line, is threatened by
funding gaps, administrative barriers, and reliance on
short-term grants that limit providers' ability to
expand and maintain crisis care.
SCR 2 urges the Governor to direct the Department of
Health and the Division of Insurance to convene public
and private payers, key stakeholders, and legislative
leaders to develop recommendations for an all-payer
model for crisis care. Alaska must build a sustainable
crisis response system that ensures all Alaskans have
access to the care they need, when they need it most.
4:08:32 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR noted the committee would not hear another
resolution. Due to scheduling issues the resolution was not read
across the floor. He explained that the resolution before them
focuses more on Medicaid but also references Section 1115
Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder waiver, emphasizing
that these issues are closely connected.
4:09:07 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on SCR 2.
4:09:56 PM
MELANIE SAGANOOK, Licensed Caregiver, Service Employees
International Union 775, Unalakleet, Alaska, testified by
invitation on SCR 2.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Testimony of Mayugiaq (Melanie Sagoonick)
My name is Mayugiaq, and my government name is Melanie
Sagoonick. I am from the Native Village of Unalakleet.
My parents are Emily Nanouk and the late Martin Nanouk
Sr., and I have been a caregiver all my life.
When I was young, I stepped in to help my grandmother
after my grandfather passed. Today, I continue that
role as a caregiver for my brother, who relies on a
wheelchair for mobility. My 83-year-old mother is his
primary caregiver, but there are many things she can
no longer do. Without my help, or the help of my
sister Jeanette, my brother would be forced to leave
Unalakleet-his home and community-to receive the care
he needs.
4:10:37 PM
MS. SAGANOOK continued with her testimony of SCR 2:
This is the reality in rural Alaska. When my mother-
in-law's dementia advanced, I had no choice but to
take her to a facility in Anchorage because there was
no care available in her village of Shaktoolik.
Right now, in our region-including 15 villages and
Nome-there are only 22 certified caregivers. I
constantly have to turn people away who qualify for
care because I do not have the capacity to take on
more clients. There simply aren't enough caregivers.
Our people deserve to stay where they belong, in the
communities they have called home for generations. But
now, proposed Medicaid cuts threaten to take away that
choice. Medicaid funds the work of caregivers-
especially in rural Alaska, where accessing medical
care often requires expensive travel and resources
that many families simply do not have.
I have spent nearly my entire life in Unalakleet. This
is my home. My culture. My family. Those before me,
lived here, and we should be able to stay. But without
caregivers, without Medicaid, that choice is being
taken away.
I urge you to fight for Medicaid funding in Alaska.
Protect our elders. Protect our families. Protect our
way of life. No one should have to leave their home
just to receive the care they deserve. Quyaana. Thank
you.
4:12:31 PM
EVALINE MCNAMEE, Licensed Caregiver, Service Employees
International Union 775, Wasilla, Alaska, testified by
invitation on SCR 2.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Testimony Against Medicaid Cuts - Evaline McNamee
My name is Evaline McNamee, and I am a proud American.
My ancestor was a signer of the Constitution, and I
carry that legacy with pride. I work as a caregiver in
Wasilla and like so many others in this profession, I
have dedicated my life to caring for those in need.
My husband, a medically retired veteran, is now
bedridden. Another person I care for has a severe
neurological condition that causes uncontrollable
shaking-she cannot be left alone. Both of them share
one overwhelming fear: How will these Medicaid cuts
affect me?
If these cuts go through, they worry about whether
they will still have access to the care they need.
Will they be able to afford food? Will they have
enough for copays or transportation to Anchorage for
medical appointments? And for me, as their caregiver,
will I still be able to support my family while doing
this work?
4:13:31 PM
MS. MCNAMEE continued with her testimony of SCR 2:
When caregivers live in fear-of losing hours, of
having pay slashed, of missing rent or going hungry-it
affects the quality of care we provide. We put
everything we have into the well-being of those we
serve, but we cannot do that if we are struggling to
survive ourselves. No one should have to choose
between buying food and paying for medicine, between
getting to the right doctor and staying home
untreated.
This isn't just about numbers on a budget- it's about
real people. It's about our elderly, our disabled, our
children in need. The fastest-growing segment of our
population is those over 55, and the choices made by
our Congressional delegation will impact their
futures, and ours.
When history looks back at this moment, how will you
be remembered? Will you be the ones who stood up for
the most vulnerable, or the ones who took away their
support? I am here to make a difference, and I urge
you to do the same. Protect Medicaid
4:14:54 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR concluded invited testimony on SCR 2.
4:15:05 PM
At ease.
4:15:41 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and held SCR 2 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 9 Version G 3.11.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/13/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 9 |
| SB 83 Version T 3.11.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/13/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 83 |
| CSSB 83 Version T Summary of Changes 3.12.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/13/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 83 |
| CSSB 9 Version G Summary of Changes 3.12.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/13/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 9 |
| CSSB 83 Version O 3.12.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/13/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 83 |
| CSSB 83 Version O Summary of Changes 3.12.25.pdf |
SHSS 3/13/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 83 |