Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
04/09/2012 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB310 | |
| Presentation: Alaska Ehealth Network | |
| HB218 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 310 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 218-PRESCRIPTION DRUG SPECIALTY TIERS
2:17:25 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced the consideration of HB 218.
SENATOR EGAN noted that CSHB 218(L&C), version D, was before the
committee.
JANET OGAN, staff to Representative Wes Keller, introduced HB
218 on behalf of the House Health and Social Services Committee,
sponsor. She described the history of specialty tier drugs and
the differences in cost depending on the tier of the drug. Tier
4 drugs are especially expensive and are used to treat those
with chronic illnesses.
She related that the bill extends the notification time the
insurance companies have to give to their clients regarding
changes in their reimbursement policies. Insurance companies
must allow 90 days rather than 30 days for notification of
changes which would allow clients to look for alternative
therapies or finances to pay for the expensive drugs. She noted
the effective date was extended to January 2013.
She referred to a letter of support from the ACHIA Board.
CHAIR DAVIS noted the presence of Representative Wes Keller.
2:22:36 PM
BRENDA ROBERTSON, Eagle River, Alaska, testified in support of
HB 218. She shared a personal story of her husband's co-pay
being increased greatly and providing a hardship. She noted that
tiers were originally set up by insurance companies to give
patients a choice. She requested that patients be given a 90-day
notice.
CECIL BYKERK, Executive Director, Alaska Comprehensive Health
Insurance Association (ACHIA), testified in support of HB 218.
He suggested having a re-insurance program for children. He
pointed out that there are no child-only health insurance
policies currently available for purchase in Alaska. He pointed
out ACHIA's plan for coverage and limitations. He concluded that
ACHIA has a goal of developing a children's coverage program.
Currently, statute does not allow this proposal. He spoke in
favor of adding an amendment that would allow that to happen.
2:31:54 PM
CHAIR DAVIS said she has not received any amendments and she
questioned how Mr. Bykerk's proposal would fit into the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, speaking on behalf of the House
Health and Social Services Committee, offered information on HB
218. He suggested that the bill would be a carrier to solve the
problem of the lack of a child-only insurance policy.
MS. OGAN reported that she spoke to legal services about this
issue and discovered the need for a title change.
CHAIR DAVIS stated that she has not received the information and
is not prepared to move forward on the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER apologized. He said he wished to complete
public testimony.
2:34:49 PM
SENATOR DYSON asked if Representative Keller would accept an
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he would.
CHAIR DAVIS called an at-ease.
At-ease from 2:35 p.m. to 2:38 p.m.
2:38:15 PM
MARILYN KASMAR, Volunteer Board Member, Alaska Comprehensive
Health Insurance Association (ACHIA), testified in support of HB
218. She said she supports the statements of the previous
testifier. She agreed with providing insurance for children
under 19 and allowing ACHIA to administer the program.
2:41:15 PM
JIM FREEBURG, Advocacy Director, National Multiple Sclerosis
Society, testified in support of HB 218. He spoke in favor of
providing additional transparency around the use of specialty
drug tiers is a tool those with MS should have. He hoped that
eventually insurers would provide additional coverage for
pharmaceutical benefits. He noted that some states have outlawed
the use of specialty tiers.
2:43:49 PM
CHAIR DAVIS closed public testimony.
She stated that she would like to accommodate the addition of
children' insurance, but she preferred not to have an amendment.
She said she did not think she could get a 2/3 vote for the
title change.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked her to proceed with the bill as it
is.
CHAIR DAVIS requested a motion to move the bill.
2:45:42 PM
SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHB 218, version D, from committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note.
CHAIR DAVIS announced that without objection, CSHB 218(L&C) was
reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing
Committee.