Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120

04/16/2024 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 173 PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS WAGE RATES TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 173 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+= HB 330 RESTRICT PRISONER ACCESS DIGITAL DEVICES TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 330 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ SB 256 ESTABLISH ALS AWARENESS MONTH TELECONFERENCED
<Bill Hearing Canceled>
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ HB 362 PRISONER MED CARE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
+= HB 190 ALASKA SUNSET COMMISSION TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSHB 190(STA) Out of Committee
+= SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR STATE ACTIONS/HEARINGS TELECONFERENCED
Moved HCS CSSB 68(STA) Out of Committee
        HB 362-PRISONER MED CARE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:43:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SHAW  announced that the  final order of business  would be                                                               
HOUSE BILL  NO. 362, "An  Act relating to the  reimbursement rate                                                               
for prisoner medical care."                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:44:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MIKE PRAX,  Alaska  State  Legislature, as  prime                                                               
sponsor, presented  HB 362  and read  from the  sponsor statement                                                               
[included  in  the  committee  packet],  which  read  as  follows                                                               
[original punctuation provided]:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     HB362  proposes  to  cap  the  reimbursement  rate  for                                                                    
     prisoner  medical  care costs  in  Alaska  at the  rate                                                                    
     established  under federal  law, 42  U.S.C 1396-1396w-7                                                                    
     (Title XIX,  Social Act),  thus presenting  a strategic                                                                    
     approach   to  address   the   ever-growing  costs   of                                                                    
     healthcare in our prisons.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Capping the reimbursement  rates with those established                                                                    
     under Title XIX  of the Social Act, we  can expect cost                                                                    
     savings. This alignment  ensures cost-effectiveness and                                                                    
     brings  predictability to  the budgeting  processes. In                                                                    
     addition,  the provision  allowing the  commissioner to                                                                    
     negotiate   contracts    for   higher    rates   allows                                                                    
     flexibility when needed.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     HB362  presents a  balanced and  strategic approach  to                                                                    
     managing  healthcare costs  in  prisons while  ensuring                                                                    
     the provision of  necessary care. It is  a step towards                                                                    
     a  more  sustainable  and effective  healthcare  system                                                                    
     within our prisons.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:46:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  SHAW   opened  public   testimony  on   HB  362.     After                                                               
ascertaining there  was no one  who wished to testify,  he closed                                                               
public testimony.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:46:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY  questioned whether  medical  professionals                                                               
provide care  for individuals who  are incarcerated with  the low                                                               
reimbursement rate.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX said  the  Department  of Corrections  (DOC)                                                               
could start negotiations at the Medicaid rates.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY  asked   Representatives  Prax  whether  he                                                               
talked with the  department regarding the ability  to lower rates                                                               
with the proposed legislation.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX deferred the question to DOC staff.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:47:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TERI  WEST,  Director,  Administrative  Services,  Department  of                                                               
Corrections,  stated  that she  believed  the  services could  be                                                               
provided  at lower  rates and  that currently,  several providers                                                               
provide fees  for services  and some have  a letter  of agreement                                                               
(LOA)  for discounted  rates.   She said  DOC believed  that this                                                               
would continue should the bill pass.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:49:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER  inquired about negotiated  contracts at                                                               
higher rates and how it worked.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. WEST replied  that she did not fully  understand the question                                                               
but stated that  DOC had both higher and  reduced contract rates,                                                               
and some allow for 10 to 30 percent discounts.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:50:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PRAX corrected  his opening  statement by  saying                                                               
the  bill would  allow the  department to  negotiate a  base rate                                                               
starting with  Medicaid rates,  it does  not necessarily  cap the                                                               
rate.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:52:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY   asked  whether  there   were  established                                                               
statistics so that the legislature  could determine after passage                                                               
of the bill that there was improvement.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS. WEST answered  that if the bill passed,  the department could                                                               
see where the cost savings would be.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned how it would be documented.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS.  WEST stated  she could  get back  to the  committee with  an                                                               
answer at a later date.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:53:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SHAW announced HB 362 was held over.                                                                                      

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB190 Alaska Sunset Commission Presentation 3.12.2024.pdf HSTA 3/12/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
CSHB 190 Sectional Analysis Version B.pdf HSTA 3/12/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
HB 190 - Sponsor Statement Version S.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
HB 190 Verison S.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
HB 190 Fiscal Note - Office of Gov.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
HB 190 Amendment 5 Story HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
SB 68 Fiscal Note DEC 3.7.24.pdf HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
SB 68
SB 68 Fiscal Note DNR 3.7.24.pdf HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
SB 68
SB 68 Sectional Analysis, version D.A.pdf HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
SB 68
SB 68 Sponsor Statement.pdf HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
SB 68
Difference between SB 68 and HB 287.pdf HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 287
SB 68
SB 68 Amendment 1 HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
SB 68
SB 68 Amendment 2 HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
SB 68
HB0173A.2.19.24.PDF HSTA 3/5/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB173.VerA.SectionalAnalysis.2.19.24.pdf HSTA 3/5/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB173.VerA.SponsorStatement.2.19.24.pdf HSTA 3/5/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 Ver A - US Dept of Labor. Dollar Threshold Amount for Contract Coverage.3.21.24.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 Ver A - ABC State Prevailing Wage Laws Map 3.21.24.jpg HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 Ver A - Newsline ABC Members Survey.3.21.24.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 Fiscal Note DOLabor.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB173.VerA.Letter of Support and Resolution RS 24-042 MatSu Borough 4.9.24.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB173.VerA.Letter of Support NFIB 4.9.24.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB173.VerA.Letter of Support Wasilla Chamber 4.9.24.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB173.VerA.SupportingLetter AML 4.9.24.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 - Opposition Letter Alaska District Council of Laborers.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 - Opposition Letter IBEW Local 1547.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 - Opposition Letter Operating Engineers Local 302.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 173 - Opposition Letter Western States Regional Council of Carpenters.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173
HB 330 Supporting Document - Improving Public Safety.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Supporting Document - Inspire_Tablet_Program_Write_Up.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Supporting Document - Not a luxury.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Supporting Document - RAND.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Supporting Document - Research in Support of Digital Access (2).pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Version H Sponsor Statement.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Version H Sectional Analysis.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Version H.pdf HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/2/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB362 Support Document - 18 USC 4006_ Subsistence for prisoners.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/30/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 362
HB 362 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/30/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 362
HB362 Sponsor Statement 03.28.24.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/30/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 362
HB362 Support Document - UFCR Medicare Rate Limitation.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/30/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 362
HB362 Support Document - Washington State Medical Contracts for services.pdf HSTA 4/9/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/30/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 362
HB 362 Fiscal Note DOC.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HSTA 4/30/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 362
HB 190 - Amendment 4 Carpenter HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
HB 330 Amendment 1 Carrick HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 330 Amendment 2 Carrick HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 330
HB 190 - Amendment 4 Carpenter HSTA.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 190
HB173 - Opposition Letter Teamsters Local 959.pdf HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM
HB 173