Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/22/2010 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB314 | |
| HB369 | |
| HB346 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 314 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 346 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 369 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 346
"An Act establishing the Workers' Compensation Advisory
Board; and providing for an effective date."
3:57:30 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KURT OLSON, SPONSOR,
reported that the Medical Services Review Committee
recommended that the Legislature establish a Worker's
Compensation Advisory Council. The council would replace
the Medical Services Review Committee. He noted the word
"Board" was changed to "Council" in the Labor and Commerce
Committee.
TRENA HEIKES, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION,
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, noted that
the council consists of four members each who represent
organized labor and employers and three members who
represent medical care providers. She remarked that Alaska
is the only state that allows the medical providers to vote
on such matters.
Representative Austerman referred to the fiscal note, FN 1
(LWF) and asked if Medical Services Review Committee
members needed to travel. Ms. Heikes responded that two of
the members were from Ketchikan. The Department brought
them up for monthly and bi-monthly meetings from May to
November of last year.
Representative Austerman queried Ms. Heikes about the $40
thousand expenditure for travel in the fiscal note. Ms.
Heikes explained that it was for the Worker's Compensation
Advisory Council members travel to meetings twice a year.
She explained that currently the Medical Services Review
Committee travel budget is approximately $10-12 thousand
and part of the overall travel budget for the Division of
Worker's Compensation.
Representative Doogan asked if the $40 thousand was the
total expenditure for the new Council. Ms. Heikes affirmed.
She added that the Medical Services Review Committee will
be abolished and their approximately $10-12 thousand travel
budget will be rolled into the $40 thousand.
Representative Austerman determined that the $40 thousand
is an increase in expenditures. Ms. Heikes affirmed.
Vice-Chair Thomas opined that the fishing and tourism
industries were not specifically represented on the Council
in the bill. He also felt the bill could allow duplicated
union membership in the employer representation language.
4:05:08 PM
Representative Kelly asked why there is more than one
member from organized labor since the majority of Alaskan
workers are non-union. Ms. Heikes responded that organized
labor had the most experience with worker's compensation.
She believed that the experienced members with an
established base of knowledge would help the Council work
efficiently.
Representative Kelly maintained his concern that the
council did not adequately represent the work force.
Representative Fairclough noted that only voting members
counted in the quorum. She wondered why the two members who
represent insurers were not voting members. Ms. Heikes
pointed out that although insurers have an interest in
worker's compensation they are not typically given a vote.
Worker's Compensation issues are between employers and
employees. The medical providers complete the process.
Representative Gara asked how the ad hoc committee compares
to the Worker's Compensation Advisory Council. Ms. Heikes
explained that the ad hoc committee is an ad hoc group of
members from organized labor and the Worker's Compensation
Committee of Alaska, an employer industry organization. The
ad hoc Committee did not operate under an official
statutory mandate and met behind closed doors. Council
meetings will be on the record and invite public
involvement.
Representative Gara expressed concern with allowing medical
providers to vote on all matters brought to the Council. He
felt they should vote exclusively on medical care
reimbursement rates, medical care provisions, and other
applicable Medical Services Review Committee issues. He
believed other council members could leverage their votes.
Ms. Hiekes agreed that was a concern of industry and union
members on the Medical Services Review Committee. The
medical providers felt they were a major participant in the
system. The treatment of work related injuries, workers
recovery time, degree of permanent impairment, and
vocational re-training involve medical opinion. They were
given a voice by a bare majority. A vote provides incentive
for the medical providers to come to the Council meetings.
Representative Gara maintained his concern making medical
providers voting members for issues that do not concern
them.
4:13:49 PM
Vice-Chair Thomas felt that Council members should be
Alaska residents.
HB 346 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.