Legislature(1999 - 2000)
01/18/2000 01:40 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
GENERAL SUBJECT(S): REVIEW OF DEPARTMENTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes and
handouts will be on file with the House Finance Committee through the
21st Legislative Session, contact 465-2156. After the 21st Legislative
Session they will be available through the Legislative Library at 465-
3808.
Time Meeting Convened: 1:40 P.M.
Tape(s): HFC 00 - 9, Side 1
HFC 00 - 9, Side 2
HFC 00 - 10, Side 1
PRESENT:
X
Representative G. Davis
Absent
Co-Chair Therriault
X
Representative Foster
X
Co-Chair Mulder
X
Representative Grussendorf
X
Vice Chair Bunde
X
Representative Moses
X
Representative Austerman
X
Representative Phillips
X
Representative J. Davies
X
Representative Williams
ALSO PRESENT: KAREN PERDUE, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES; JANET CLARKE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES; PAM WATTS,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOVERNORS ADVISORY BOARD ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG
ABUSE; WILSON CONDON, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; LARRY
PERSILY, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; MICHAEL MAHER,
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
REVENUE.
LOG
SPEAKER
DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 00 - 9
SIDE 1
000
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Co-Chair Mulder convened the House
Finance Committee meeting at 1:40 P.M.
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
165
WILSON CONDON,
COMMISSIONER,
DEPARTMENT OF
REVENUE
Addressed the mission of the Department.
He explained the role of that Department
for the State of Alaska:
*Tax division - charitable gaming laws;
*Treasury division - manages the State
tax flow;
*Child Support Enforcement Division-
distributing child support payments and
establishing and modifying child support
obligations.
*Permanent Fund Division; and
*Policy assistance for other Divisions
within the Department.
He continued that there are a number of
*Boards within the Department of Revenue:
*Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
(AHFC)
*Alaska Permanent Fund
*Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
*Bond Bank Authority
*Alaska State Pension Investment Board
*ABC Board
523
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Focused on the tax divisions. It is
expected that the correct tax amounts are
deposited into the State Treasury. He
advised that the customers are everyone
in the State who uses public services.
582
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Charitable Gaming Program - Charities
should be the beneficiaries. There is a
responsibility of the Department to
guarantee that the games are run
lawfully. The final set of customers are
the municipalities for tax distribution.
There are 140 municipalities that the
State shares taxes with. He stated that
when collecting the correct tax, there
must be an effective program. The
taxpayer needs to know their obligation.
To measure how effective the program is,
is determined if there is enough money to
pay the States bills.
749
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Spoke to how the programs are currently
running. Most of the money comes from a
few large taxpayers and that those
returns are usually audited. Determining
effectiveness is concluded by how soon an
audit is brought to a final conclusion to
close the matter. Commissioner Condon
pointed out that is how the tax program
has been run for the past five years. At
present time, subscribers are audited for
returns from the past two years. With
respect to the corporate income tax, the
Department is now auditing for the past
three years. With respect to the income
tax, taxpayers file a number of audited
returns. He stressed that it is more
complex than a severance tax. He noted
that the Department is now on target with
the income tax.
929
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Commented that there are there are
several initiatives coming forward
addressing tax concerns. He noted that
it is difficult to determine where the
State will end up with regards to the
merger. The Department might need to
move quickly in order to address the new
marketing situation. The Department is
attempting to address the motor fuel tax
so as to make it more user friendly.
1018
COMMISSIONER CONDON
In regard to the severance tax
obligations, it is being attempted to
make them more accessible to the
taxpayers. He stated that there is
efficiency available now and that it will
be achieved this year. He explained the
20-mil property tax. Taxpayers are
allowed to come in to put the facilities
forward putting the field in place. They
are allowed to take a depreciable value
to reduce that tax obligation. The
taxpayers are legally entitled to do
this. The taxpayer is going to be
aggressive. A few of those cases have
come forward, however, he could not
address specifics at this time.
Commissioner Condon noted that the
production facilities at Prudhoe Bay will
be checked this next year.
1197
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Questioned if such action would need the
Legislature to change something in law at
this time.
1215
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Did not know but offered to get back to
the Representative at a latter date.
1235
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
He asked how that would impact service
areas in the municipalities.
1258
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Replied that the Department has not
looked at that concern but would in the
future.
1290
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Addressed the taxing concern in ordering
cigarettes over the internet.
1311
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Inquired the trends that the Department
anticipated for this year.
1332
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Asked the total tax collected.
1340
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Replied that in 1999, the total taxes
collected were $800 million dollars.
1360
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Asked about shared taxes.
1368
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Responded the amount shared-back is about
$20 million dollars per year.
1387
COMMISSIONER CONDON
He noted that this year, tax revenue
should be $300 million higher because of
increased revenues.
1414
COMMISSIONER CONDON
In response to Representative Foster,
Commissioner Condon stated that in 1989,
total oil revenue was $19 million
dollars.
1451
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Questioned if the royalties had been
included in the above figure.
1462
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Noted that the royalties are not a tax.
1470
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Suggested that the oil royalties appear
connected to that number. It is oil-
related revenues.
1495
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
Asked if there would be a change
resulting from the merger in respect to
income tax.
1512
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Explained that the Department is not sure
about that. He noted that the State
income revenue could have been $20
million dollars less by combining those
two companies. Merging does make the
companies more profitable. It will
change a portion of income in the State
revenue. It can not be efficiently
determined at this time.
1605
LARRY PERSILY,
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
DEPARTMENT OF
REVENUE
Provided a little tobacco tax
information. He noted that $15 million
went into the general fund and $32
million dollars went into the school
fund. Next year, there is a projected a
slight drop to the general fund.
1665
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Addressed charitable gaming. There is
about $300 million dollars of gaming done
in the State. 70% of that money is paid
out in prizes, the rest is paid to the
charitable entity.
1702
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Questioned if the charitable entities
were receiving the amount legislatively
agreed upon.
1720
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Responded that the situation has become a
"nightmare". A floor was established and
the profit above that goes to the people
running the organization. These people
are being paid a lot and many times too
much. He questioned how to correct this
situation and still continue to create an
incentive.
1814
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Addressed electronic gambling and how
much that would cost.
1827
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Stated that the Department has not
checked how much that would cost, but has
looked at other states that use this
system. He indicated that it is very
complicated.
1857
MR. PERSILY
Replied that the Department has looked
into a multiple scenarios, and that the
MPB's have generated an additional $1.1
million dollars for charities last year.
1887
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
Commented that his office had received
many complaints that the larger operators
are taking over the smaller ones. He
voiced concern regarding this matter.
1916
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Commented on the idea of a State lottery.
1935
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Responded that would not be enough money
to address the State's needs. That
action would generated more closely to
the $30-$40 million dollars.
1957
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Noted that the Treasury Division helps
raise money for the infrastructure. The
Treasury customers are all Alaskans,
through the state political subdivisions
of the PERS and TERS and other political
subdivision that use the bond bank
authority. The Division has about $19
billion dollars and manages $17 billion
dollars directly and $2 billion through
the State compensation division. He
addressed the various boards in that
area. The commissioner is responsible
for 17 separate reserve funds. All these
funds are managed against a benchmark.
He indicated that the retirement fund had
a benchmark return for 1999 of 10.2%.
The target of the CBRF was 3.55%. Public
school trust fund and the children's
trust are established with a target of
12.8%.
2119
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Concluded that summary addressed the
investment goals and asset allocation
policies.
2130
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
Asked if there was anything that the
Legislature could do to change the rate
of return on the CBR.
2145
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Stated that he would not recommend that
if the State might need to access it over
the next five years. It is currently
placed into 100% fixed income activity at
this time.
2165
COMMISSIONER CONDON
It is managed against the Merrill Lynch
1.5-year income. The CBR fund is
allocated between two pools, treasury
notes and bonds. The return last year to
that fund was 3.55%. The target was
4.66%. The Department did not meet the
targeted fund. That was the net return.
2253
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Voiced concern with such a low-income
return on that account. He asked if
there was something the Department could
undertake to improve the performance.
2276
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Stated that it could be invested more
aggressively but that would not be
appropriate or logical if it is assumed
that fund will need to be used within the
next five years.
2295
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Spoke to Child Support. He noted that
the customers are the 50,000 children who
are covered by a child support order and
the parents of that child. He stressed
that it is the job of the Department to
do a good job in collecting that money.
2334
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Spoke to the satisfaction of those paying
into that account.
2343
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Explained that last year, there was much
stress on the performance measures.
TAPE HFC 00 - 9
SIDE 2
000
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Stated that in FY99, $45 million dollars
was collected, which was approximately +
of the amount ordered.
087
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Asked the benchmark percentage for that
Division.
101
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Answered that 46.2% was collected. He
acknowledged that the target would
improve this year.
137
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Applauded the Department, noting that the
important point is to establish a
benchmark.
164
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Interjected that the target should be
100%.
179
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Acknowledged that this is just where the
State is at this time. Arrearage
information, which has been collected, is
not yet available. The money repaid to
the federal government was 30.6%.
Commissioner Condon addressed the
proportion of cases billed which are
current.
308
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Spoke to child support. He noted that
the entire year was spent trying to get
on the new computer system. It has been
a several year process getting into that
new system. He warned that the
switchover had consumed all of FY99. DOR
now has been certified by the feds and
Alaska is one of thirteen states that
have been certified. He noted that work
has placed the State behind in other
certain responsibilities and that many
people have been affected by the
conversion.
448
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Spoke to the backlog of arrearages for
CSED. He inquired if the Department
intended to write some of these off as
uncollectable.
522
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Stated that if the case is closed the
balance can be written off. One of the
reasons that the arrears are so high is
that if the information is not supplied,
which sometimes it is not or is so
complicated that the common person can
not read or understand was is needed.
Many times the situation has been
ignored. He acknowledged that the work
must be prioritized and that the top of
the list relates to actions that can pay
people at present.
676
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
Noted that both the State and the feds
have provided extra tools to help the
work of the Division identify those
people that can be helped.
716
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Permanent Fund Division (PFD) consists of
600,000 customers.
767
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Asked if there was a protocol in which
PFD money was retained.
793
MR. PERSILY
He replied that child support had the 1st
position - 100% could be taken for that
concern.
Private collectors - 80% can be garnished
for this concern.
IRS - small amount of garnishes
Student loans - 100% can be garnished.
879
REPRESENTATIVE
WILLIAMS
Addressed the PFD dividend calculation.
He asked how the Department would like to
see that calculation made.
940
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Spoke to the calculation system used to
determine the dividend. To manage the
volatility of that account, market
distribution is used. Currently, that
system is okay. He observed that if
business continues as it is, the State
will need to use the PFD sometime within
the future to make public services
available.
1040
REPRESENTATIVE
WILLIAMS
Suggested that it might be a more stable
atmosphere to calculate dividends.
1063
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Replied that over the long term, it would
be the same. Someday there is going to
be volatility.
1089
REPRESENTATIVE
PHILLIPS
Asked if Senator Mackies proposal had
been reviewed yet.
1108
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Stated that plan has not yet been
reviewed.
1119
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Asked about the alignment of the various
boards, in specific the Alcohol Beverage
Control Board (ABC).
1148
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Agreed that entity was the board least
appropriate within the Department of
Revenue.
1173
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Inquired the percentage of federal
funding of the Department of Revenue.
1186
COMMISSIONER CONDON
Could not answer that however, thought
that without including AHFC, probably
about + of the budget is federally
funded.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERICES
1244
KAREN PERDUE,
COMMISSIONER,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Commissioner Perdue focused on the
outcome and key performance measures of
the Department. She provided a thumbnail
shot of accomplishments of the
Department.
*KidCare expanded health care coverage to
uninsured children and pregnant women
making infant mortality is down;
*Improved the response t reports of child
abuse and neglect;
*Completed first full year of operation
of Family Services Training Academy;
*Increased training for child protection
workers;
*Launched statewide "Foster a Future"
foster care recruitment campaign;
*Provided services to additional 169
consumers who had been on the
developmental disabilities waitlist for
services;
*Reduced overcrowding in juvenile
detention and treatment facilities by
opening a new 22-bed treatment unit
addition to the existing Johnson Youth
Facility in Juneau and adding 20 new
detention beds at McLaughlin Youth Center
in Anchorage;
*Implemented an aggressive immunization
campaign at the State and local level;
*Reduced Temporary Assistance caseload to
8,721 families;
*Reduced expenditures for Temporary
Assistance payments from $90.9 million
dollars in FY98 to $74.3 million dollars
in FY99;
*Initiated a successful program to assure
that all "mission-critical" systems were
Y2K compliant;
*Expanded State's response to fetal
alcohol syndrome by conducting more than
200 medical chart reviews as part of FAS
Surveillance Project.
1407
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
She reiterated that there are still a
number of areas for concern and that
child mortality is high in the State.
1463
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Department's mission is "to promote and
protect the health and well-being of
Alaskan Citizens."
1513
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Reviewed the key performance measures. In
the juvenile justice mission, 86 percent
of restitution was collected and 95
percent of the community work service
hours were completed.
1566
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Added that the Department doubled the
number of youth courts.
1592
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Pointed out that the crime rate is coming
down and that misdemeanors are way down.
1611
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
There has been a stabilization of the
daily census, with only a 30%
overcrowdedness. She noted that beds
have been added in four locations.
1649
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Measurements pertain mostly to
restoration. He asked what is the
reciticism rate.
1671
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Explained that was a performance measure
which the Department is working toward.
A baseline of 55% has been established to
respond to the offender. That number
includes the amount of children that come
into the system for a full education
assessment. She pointed out that there
are many levels of academic achievement.
1734
REPRESENTATIVE
PHILLIPS
Asked if the military family's youth
statistics had been taken into
consideration.
1748
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
No not at this time, however, those kids
are referenced.
1761
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Pointed out that the probation system is
now accredited.
1789
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Advised that 90% of all calls are now
answered. She addressed things that are
working well in the child protection
area, such as a pilot project to help
investigate priority III's in the Mat-Su.
She elaborated that now in that area,
every call is being answered. This new
system is working.
1848
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Asked how much money had been contracted
with through the other agency.
1858
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Replied that this was expensive and
amounted to a $250 thousand dollar
project.
1873
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Reiterated the things that are going
well. Every social worker is being
trained now at the University of Alaska
in Anchorage.
1920
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
In foster care, there are more children
needing care than before and that those
cases are now being moved more quickly.
1940
REPRESENTATIVE
PHILLIPS
Asked how the number of foster care has
been traced.
1959
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Advised that there has been a 32%
increase in the number of adoptions. A
good percentage of the 600 children
needing placement has been addressed from
foster care to adoption. She noted that
the subsidized adoption program has
really helped. Most of these children
come with large needs, mostly medical
needs and the current system makes it
financially possible to adopt.
2034
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Asked about the protocol and procedures
used in adopting a child and the problems
with previous records and abuse.
2065
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Noted that people can change. She
acknowledged that this is a difficult
point of consideration. Every state is
struggling with these concerns. Each
adoption goes through a very complete
home study and that each case is
addressed on an individual basis.
2123
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Encouraged that the side of safety always
be followed.
2139
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Continued the conversation regarding the
adoptive process and the anguish involved
in that decision.
2165
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Stated that there is no greater duty than
being responsible for the children in
foster care. In reference to past
history concerns, Commissioner Perdue
pointed out that there are well meaning
people who experience that in which "life
happens".
2191
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Addressed the legitimate cries of harm.
He asked if it is true that foster homes
standards are sometimes lowered in order
to accommodate all the children in need.
2222
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Acknowledged that the State is desperate.
Sometimes the placement is questionable.
She added that the Department was working
with Rep. Dyson on Foster Care criteria
so that the good foster parents are not
lost through the cracks.
2259
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Pointed out that the State would ideally
like to have people that do not have
problems with substance abuse.
2275
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Stated that there are waivers. There is
a standard and the Department tries to be
flexible within that so as to place all
children.
2299
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to workers safety. She noted that
this is a growing issue for Department of
Health and Social Services workers. She
listed the numerous threats which the
division workers have received. She
noted that many social workers visits are
done alone.
TAPE HFC 00 - 10
SIDE 1
000
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the transcription services.
043
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Vacancy rates are down from training and
extra help.
067
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the immunization program,
pointing out that there has been success
in lowering the States position for
outbreaks.
143
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Pointed out that there is a growing
resistance to having children immunized.
He asked for comments regarding that
concern.
197
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Stated that was not a new concern. The
State immunologists recommend that all
kids should be given the innoculation.
The resistance is sure to continue, as
the State is proposing more vaccinations.
294
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Expressed that this is a growing concern,
as people become more informed regarding
the health of their child.
336
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Interjected that largest measles outbreak
occurring in the nation was in Anchorage
brought in by a little boy from Japan.
377
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the Denali Kid Care. That
program consumes a moderate amount of
dental use, but there has not been a drop
in personal insurance. The cost per
child has been between $600-$700 dollars
per year. This is a large pool coverage
and that the Indian Health Service covers
all Native children.
471
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Asked how many children participate in
that program.
488
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Replied 12,000
496
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Asked who provides the initial referral.
509
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Explained that it was provided by
insurance. There are no systems that
must be used.
527
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Questioned if all dentists were required
to accept these children as patients.
550
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Responded that there has been some
problems and that the issue of access
must be watched.
577
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
In response to Representative J. Davies
query, she noted that program was 75%
federally funded.
602
REPRESENTATIVE
PHILLIPS
Suggested that the premium was high for a
child.
625
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
She replied that was the yearly cost of
$600 dollars not the monthly cost.
650
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Reiterated that it was high.
661
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Explained that these are not premiums,
but are the actual costs of the service.
705
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Asked if the cost was lower because the
Native population was serviced by the
Native hospital. He asked how big the
total appropriation is per child.
753
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Responded that the federal government
covers the full cost. The Health Aid
system provides much of the work.
778
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Asked if that money passed through the
general fund.
790
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Explained that Medicaid dollars do pass
through the general fund. If the unit
costs covers all beneficiaries, the
federal contribution triples.
860
CO-CHAIR MULDER
What is the total amount spent for kids
health.
875
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Replied around $50 million dollars.
887
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Suggested that was a high amount for
payment for kids only.
904
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Asked how it compared to insurance costs.
935
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Noted that the active versus the retirees
system is different.
957
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the youth smoking rate, which
has been reduced by 10%. She commented
that this is an area to determine if the
performance measure is what is expected.
In the sample of preliminary data, there
is a decline in the area of middle school
kids smoking.
1017
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
By excluding Anchorage, then smokeless
tobacco is excluded.
1051
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Agreed. The data will be available in a
couple of months.
1072
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Addressed efforts made by the anti-
smoking groups. He recommended that
could be big assets to the Department.
1096
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Pointed out that Anchorage is about to
survey for data. At this time, it is a
mess.
1117
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to decreasing the publicly funded
hospital rates. She noted that
downsizing has been successful. The
length of stay at API has decreased but
the facility is more used more often than
before.
1196
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
Voiced concern that the long-term need is
not being met. He asked if there are
measures to come before the Committee
addressing that concern.
1215
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Referenced the comprehensive mental
health plan. There has been a great
amount of work done on outcoming
measures.
1247
REPRESENTATIVE J.
DAVIES
Asked how that would information would
include various boards in order to be
able to utilize that information and
experience.
1275
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Agreed that information should be
included. Some agencies have spent
tremendous time and money in surveying
conditions throughout the State.
1306
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Recommended that perhaps on the
Subcommittee level that consideration
could be made.
1331
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Stated that the Mental Health Trust
Authority has helped tremendously.
1327
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the per capita consumption
concern and that the trend is moving
downward. She noted that there is good
outcome information available on
treatment. She addressed outpatient
success rate.
1425
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Asked about the consumption per capita.
1450
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Stated that she did not know.
1456
VICE CHAIR BUNDE
Spoke to alcohol consumption and the
effects on the youth. He stated that it
is a challenge.
1500
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Stated that the alcohol problem in Alaska
is a huge issue, however, public dollars
has made a dramatic difference in the
State's problems.
1535
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Voiced concern with the effectiveness of
funding the alcohol control issues in the
schools. He asked if there are
alternatives that should be looked at.
1571
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Responded that the Department is tracking
what it is getting. She acknowledged
that there is a lot of tension with how
those resources are being spent. She
addressed the various arguments being
discussed within the State and the
Criminal Justice group. The tension
exists because there is not enough money
to go around.
1665
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the Title 47 usage which is
declining as communities begin addressing
more appropriately where individuals
should be placed. She commented on
various programs which address basic life
skills.
1704
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Asked the recidivism rate and the length
of time associated with it.
1724
PAM WATTS, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, GOVERNORS
ADVISORY BOARD ON
ALCOHOL AND DRUG
ABUSE
Spoke to the amount of time involved in
the recidivism findings.
1753
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Spoke to the consumption population
problems.
1784
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Briefly addressed Public Assistance. She
noted that it has been beneficial
providing the electronic benefit cards.
1875
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the tracking medical assistance,
which tracks to make sure what, is
occurring with the benchmark services.
1902
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Noted that the legislature is looking for
a task force to look at benefits for the
statewide system.
1925
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Was not aware of that.
1930
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Voiced concern with the area of extended
care and the cost associated with that.
1947
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Spoke to the Nursing Care Program. She
stated that Medicare does not cover long-
term care and that Medicaid ends up
paying the full load for many people.
1989
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Asked if this was a statewide issue.
1997
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Replied that Anchorage is one place where
there are not a lot of facilities. The
size of most nursing homes is under 16
beds. This is a concern which the
Department has struggled with.
2036
REPRESENTATIVE
AUSTERMAN
Voiced concern with what will happen in
the next 15 years.
2046
CO-CHAIR MULDER
Pointed out that in order to be eligible
to participate in Medicaid, there are
certain eligibility requirements. He
warned of the spiraling costs of health
care.
2082
REPRESENTATIVE G.
DAVIS
Discussed the Medicaid budget on the
federal level. He asked if the State
will need to change the mind-set and life
styles. He emphasized that this is a big
problem.
2125
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Stressed that the Department is trying to
support community alternatives.
2137
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Noted that the Department is aware of the
issue of the aging population and the
heavy-duty medical costs associated with
those concerns. She applauded the
Pioneer Homes throughout the State which
allow people to stay in their own
communities.
2175
COMMISSIONER PERDUE
Medicaid does not cover the alzihmiers
condition. She concluded that a pension
could make a person ineligible for
Medicaid.
2198
CO-CHAIR MULDER
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 P.M.
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
LOG NOTES
January 18, 2000
H.F.C. 16 1/18/00
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