Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
04/01/2013 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB87 | |
Health Information Technology & Telehealth | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | SB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 87-NEWBORN SCREENING FOR HEART DEFECTS 1:31:46 PM CHAIR STEDMAN announced that the first order of business would be SB 87. 1:31:54 PM At ease 1:32:54 PM CHAIR STEDMAN said it was the first hearing on SB 87. He noted he did not intend to move the bill today. SENATOR PETER MICCICHE, sponsor of SB 87, shared a personal story about his niece who had a congenital heart condition that was caught by pulse oximetry screening in Japan where she was born. He stated that it is estimated that one in a hundred children are born with a congenital heart defect. It kills more children in their first year of life than any other birth defect. The U.S. is moving toward adopting the same newborn screening test procedures found in Japan and other countries. He listed hospitals in Alaska that currently perform screening tests: Providence, Alaska Regional, Alaska Native Medical Center, Mat-Su Regional, Bassett Army, Fairbanks, and Central Peninsula Hospitals. He described the screening; it utilizes pulse oximetry equipment most hospitals and clinics already have and is painless and noninvasive. He said the test helps detect over 75 percent of those with heart conditions, with a sensitivity rate of over 99 percent and a false positive rating of less than .03 percent. He stated that the cost of the test is under $10 and is covered by health insurance. The cost of early detection is much lower than the cost of late-diagnosed treatment and the cost of caring for a disabled child later. The bill will require larger hospitals, beginning in January 2014, to test newborns with pulse oximetry. Birthing centers and hospitals with fewer than 50 beds will have until January 2016 to do so. SENATOR MICCICHE pointed out that parents can opt out of the test. In the event of abnormal results, the health care provider will inform the parents of their options. The bill provides that hospitals report newborn screening results to the Division of Public Health. He noted that the fiscal note needs work. He explained that he wants the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to keep data showing that the test was administered and whether there was a positive or negative result. He said he believes the fiscal note will be much lower. He stated that, so far, there has been no opposition to the bill. He listed supporters of the bill: Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, Alaska Nurses Association, Alaska State Medical Association, Alaska Primary Care Association, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the insurance industry. He concluded that his intention with this legislation is to save as many babies as possible. The effective date is far enough away to ensure easy compliance. He wished to hold the bill, pending more information from DHSS. 1:38:30 PM CHAIR STEDMAN noted one fiscal note from DHSS for the amount of $384,800 in which $346,300 is general funds and $38,500 is federal receipts. BECKY MILLER, representing herself, testified in support of SB 87. She spoke as the mother of a child with a heart defect. She shared a personal story about her daughter. She said that over 50 percent of Alaska babies with congenital heart defects will go undiagnosed. There are no pediatric cardiac surgeons in Alaska and it is critical that babies are diagnosed immediately. She stressed that a simple test can save babies' lives. Early screening would also save the state money. JAMES CHRISTIANSON, Pediatric Cardiologist, testified in support of SB 87. He described heart conditions as the most common birth defect in infants. He said the test is simple and painless and it screens infants who may have issues later on. He stated that out of 12,000 births per year in Alaska, about 100 children will have congenital heart disease, and of those, about 40 will have critical heart disease. He emphasized that pulse oximetry will be a cost-effective method of helping newborns in Alaska. 1:42:51 PM ANNAMARIE SAARINEN, Co-Founder, Newborn Coalition, testified in support of SB 87. She shared a personal story about her daughter and the two heart surgeries she survived. She stressed the importance of the screening, which many states are adopting. The babies in rural and remote areas are the ones most likely to go undetected without the screening. LILY LOU, Medical Director, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Providence Children's Hospital, testified in support of SB 87. She described the test as part of a "standard of care" for newborns. She said it makes a real difference to diagnose the problem before damage is seen. She listed two important points to consider. The first is that pulse oximetry is the current gold standard and if new technology is developed, the legislation should include a way to update practices. The bill, as written, does not address those born at home. It should include all babies born in Alaska. 1:46:44 PM JENNA APP, Alaska Advocacy Director, American Heart Association, testified in support of SB 87. She discussed the importance of diagnosing congenital heart disease in infants as soon as they are born. She said the screening is widely supported across the nation. CHAIR STEDMAN closed public testimony and set SB 87 aside.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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DHSS HIE-Telehealth Slides.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
Telehealth Presentation |
AFHCAN Telehealth Report 2013 v1.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
Telehealth Presentation |
DHSS HIE_telehealth Handouts.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
Telehealth Presentation |
SB 87 ver. C.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
SB 87 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
SB 87 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
Amercian Heart Association.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
DHSS response to inquiry.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
Dr. Christiansen testimony.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
Eve's story.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
FAQs.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
NCSL legisbrief.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
New Jersey article.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
New Jersey bill.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
Trends & Transitions article.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |
SB087-DHSS-WCFH-4-1-13.pdf |
SHSS 4/1/2013 1:30:00 PM |
SB 87 |