04/22/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

           SJR 16-FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:41:57 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  DUNBAR   announced  the  consideration  of   SENATE  JOINT                                                               
RESOLUTION NO. 16  Urging the United States Congress  to pass the                                                               
Ensuring  Lasting Smiles  Act; and  urging lawmakers  to advocate                                                               
for   policies  that   guarantee   equitable   access  to   vital                                                               
healthcare.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:42:14 PM                                                                                                                    
ELVI GRAY JACKSON, District G,  Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,                                                               
Alaska, sponsor  of SJR  16 stated  that the  resolution supports                                                               
individuals with congenital anomalies  and birth defects who face                                                               
lifelong health challenges. Many  require multiple surgeries that                                                               
can cost  families up  to $100,000  out of  pocket and  are often                                                               
mischaracterized  as  cosmetic, despite  testimony  demonstrating                                                               
otherwise. She said by adopting  this resolution, the legislature                                                               
can  promote   fairness  in   health  care,   protect  vulnerable                                                               
populations,  and  send  a clear  message  to  the  congressional                                                               
delegation  that  the  state   prioritizes  health  outcomes  and                                                               
supports individuals in leading healthy, productive lives.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:43:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on SJR 16.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:43:45 PM                                                                                                                    
BRIAN BRUBAKER,  representing self, Anchorage,  Alaska, testified                                                               
in support of SJR 16. He  explained that his only daughter Emily,                                                               
who testified  previously, has Hypohidrotic  Ectodermal Dysplasia                                                               
(HED). He  stated that  HED requires costly  dental care  that is                                                               
not covered  by private insurance  because it is  deemed cosmetic                                                               
under federal  law. He  said teeth are  essential for  speech and                                                               
nutrition and  should not  be deemed cosmetic.  He said  he found                                                               
out  that  his  daughter's  HED  is  hereditary  and  genetically                                                               
dominant, the  condition will affect  future generations.  SJR 16                                                               
will have a lasting effect on future generations.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:43:51 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR CLAMAN arrived at the meeting.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:45:29 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBR closed public testimony on SJR 16.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:45:38 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:45:39 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GIESSEL moved  to report SJR 16,  work order 34-LS0788\A,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:45:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and  SJR 16 was reported from the                                                               
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.