Legislature(2003 - 2004)
01/31/2003 01:25 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
January 31, 2003
1:25 PM
TAPE HFC 03 - 6, Side A
TAPE HFC 03 - 6, Side B
TAPE HFC 03 - 7, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Harris called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:25 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative John Harris, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Gary Stevens
Representative Bill Stoltze
Representative Jim Whitaker
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kevin Meyer, Vice-Chair
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Cheryl Heinz; Representative Ralph Samuels;
Representative Harry Crawford; Joel Gilbertson,
Commissioner, Department of Health & Social Services; Bob
Labbe, Deputy Director, Department of Health and Social
Services; Janet Clarke, Director, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Health and Social Services; Marc
Antrim, Commissioner, Department of Corrections;
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
There were no teleconference testifiers.
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
Agency Overviews: Department of Health and Social Services
Department of Corrections
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
Committee through the 23rd Legislative Session, contact 465-
2156. After the 23rd Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 03 - 6 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
SIDE A
000 JOEL GILBERTSON, Introduced his staff. He reviewed the
COMMISSIONER, Department's current structure. The
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH department is undergoing audits regarding
& SOCIAL SERVICES restructuring recommendations. The
department's goals are to streamline the
administrative process and reduced costs,
hold service declines to minimize affect
on clients, maximize federal revenues,
and improve costumer service.
2210 Mr. Gilbertson The department is facing budget
reductions. The current budget authority
is 1.4 billion dollars: $487 thousand
general fund dollars, and $832 federal
receipts. He noted that there are 2,512
full time positions. Observed that
formula programs represent the majority
of the department's budget.
2249 Mr. Gilbertson Reviewed costs for facilities: $41
million. Most of these costs are for
large facilities, such as the Alaska
Psychiatric Institute.
2302 Mr. Gilbertson Administrative costs are approximately
$11.5 million, which includes the Office
of the Commissioner and the Division of
Administrative Services.
2340 Mr. Gilbertson Reviewed increases in costs for formula
programs. In 1993, formula programs
accounted for 61 percent of over all
costs. They are currently 70 percent,
which is a 142 percent increase. He noted
that grant programs have increased by 53
percent and program services by 96
percent. Facility and administrative
costs have also increased.
2359 Mr. Gilbertson Discussed general goals: Establish fiscal
stability for Division of Family and
Youth Services programs and reduce
dependence on general fund dollars. The
department is undergoing review of
business processes to eliminate
inefficiency and redundancies and
maximize federal revenues.
2511 Mr. Gilbertson Discussed federal funding. The Governor,
while serving as a Senator, worked to
adjust the federal medical assistance
percentages that determine the relative
match rate for Medicare funding (FMAP).
In 1997, this was raised from 50 to 59.8
percent, which brought in $30 million
additional federal dollars every year.
2543 Mr. Gilbertson Observed that the goal is to continue to
work for adjustments at the federal
level. The Governor has taken the
position that the federal formula is
flawed.
2645 Co-Chair Harris Questioned if the FMAP percentage was
recently included in an appropriation
bill.
2655 Mr. Gilbertson Explained that the most recent adjustment
was the in the Benefit Improvement and
Protection Act, of the year 2000. It
would sunset on October 2005.
2736 BOB LABBE, DEPUTY Clarified that the current FMAP rate is
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT 57 percent.
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES
2745 Mr. Gilbertson Explained that a determination was made
at the federal level that the measurement
to calculate per capita income
contributions was not accurate. Employer
contributions to federal employee
retirement plans, which aren't realized,
were included. This caused the per capita
income of the state to rise. Alaska
received the greatest increase in their
per capita rate, which resulted in a 3
percent reduction.
2846 Mr. Gilbertson Spoke to the Fair Share Program. There
was denial of the state of Alaska's Fair
Share program's financing operation
between the state and native private
hospitals to maximize federal funds. The
state of Alaska's projected amount was
$55 million. These funds were not
realized.
3018 Mr. Gilbertson Emphasized that the department feels that
Alaska's plan is compliant with federal
regulations and stressed that the
department is aggressively pursuing the
funding through the appeals process.
3112 Mr. Labbe Clarified that the hearing is in March
and the decision would be in June. The
state's position has not changed. He
explained that the issue seems to be that
the [federal] Administration does not
like the decision. They are confident
that the state plan is compliant and will
th
be upheld at the court level by the 9
circuit court of appeals.
3322 Mr. Gilbertson The fair share language was designed to
stop practices of intergovernmental
transfers from public facilities.
3348 Co-Chair Harris Summarized that the state would need $50
plus million dollars to maintain the
program at the FY03 level.
3422 Mr. Labbe Explained that the state discontinued
payments under the program when the
disapproval was issued. Part of the
payment remains with the Tribal
government and would not be recoverable.
The assumption is that the funds would be
received and could be used to reduce a
supplemental request by 20 - 15 percent.
3657 Co-Chair Harris Questioned if the department supports the
FY03 budget intent language, which deals
with the reduction of services if
Medicaid funding is not sufficient.
3704 Mr. Labbe Noted that the legislature inserted
language that did not hold the department
accountable for the fair share funding.
The intent was to hold to the
appropriation. There has been some
growth. He anticipates some level of a
supplemental would be needed.
3828 Co-Chair Harris Observed that the House Finance Committee
Chair would watch the supplemental to see
that the department manages for the
reduction.
3850 Mr. Gilbertson The Governor has directed departments to
look at service delivery. There is a lack
of access to primary care services in
rural communities. The department will
work to develop an integrated health
service program with tribal health
systems, the Denali Commission, Alaska
Mental Health Trust Authority and state
holder groups to assure that primary
services are being delivered throughout
the state.
3942 Mr. Gilbertson Noted that the third goal of the
department is to protect children and the
public from the negative affects of
alcohol, substance abuse, violence,
injury, and illness.
4041 Mr. Gilbertson The state will also work with the federal
government to improve Alaska's
responsiveness to bio-terrorism attacks.
The state is in phase one of a small pox
vaccination schedule.
4051 Mr. Gilbertson Acknowledged budget concerns and the need
to bring financial stability to the
department. He observed that there is not
financial stability in the Medicaid
program, but stressed that the core
mandate of the department would be
protected.
4231 Mr. Gilbertson Provided a general department overview of
divisions and operations.
4257 Mr. Gilbertson Addressed the Division of Public
Assistance and noted that the Division
provides assistance to children and
families. He noted that the Division
provides assistance to needy families so
that they can care for children in their
own homes.
4421 Mr. Gilbertson Reviewed Chart 3: Adult Public Assistance
(APA) Caseload Projections. The mission
of the Division of Public Assistance is
to encourage and promote self-
sufficiency. The Division handles
eligibility determinations for public
assistance and the Medicaid program.
Benefits have grown three-fold since
1990. Aid for disabled individuals has
been the driving force behind the
increase.
4527 Mr. Gilbertson Discussed the Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families (TANF) program.
4559 Representative Croft Questioned the doubling of the disabled
line appropriation in the APA assistance.
4612 JANET CLARKE, Explained that aid to disabled children
DIRECTOR, DIVISION is switched over when they reach the age
OF ADMINISTRATIVE of majority. Individuals may be living
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT longer.
OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES
4742 Mr. Labbe Agreed that there is a rapidly growing
senior population that would not meet the
financial requirements for APA, but the
disability population is tied to the
demographics of aging. There has been
substantial growth in individuals with
mental illness.
4855 Mr. Gilbertson Observed that the TANF reauthorization is
before Congress. All sides are pushing
for a higher work standard. He referred
to Chart 4: TANF Monthly Caseload. There
is currently a plateau in applications
for food stamps, which is traditionally
associated with TANF increases.
5142 Representative Croft Noted that the low is not in the summer
months, but in October and November.
5148 Mr. Gilbertson Pointed out that the reductions are a
result of permanent fund dividend
payments.
5221 Mr. Gilbertson Reviewed welfare reform caseload and
spending, which has declined by 40
percent since 1996. He noted that cash
assistance has dropped in half.
Additional investments have been made to
help facilitate the program.
5316 Co-Chair Harris Observed that money saved in the welfare
to work program has been shifted to
childcare assistance and other programs
and questioned if there had been an
overall savings.
5347 Mr. Gilbertson Noted that the TANF block grant ($60
million per year) contains funding for
childcare and work services. Some of the
TANF block grant has been used to replace
increases of costs associated with the
program and cash assistance payments. He
explained that actual general fund
dollars in the program have been reduced.
5427 Ms. Clark Noted that there was a $50 million dollar
reduction.
5429 Mr. Gilbertson Added that some of the TANF dollars can
be diverted to other federal block grants
that help pay for frontline social
workers.
5525 Representative Joule Noted that individuals living in
Anchorage are providing services to rural
areas. He pointed out that the intent is
to provide employment for rural residents
and questioned if anything can be done to
encourage local employment. He stressed
the opportunity for departments to
network.
5726 Mr. Gilbertson Observed that the Governor has made a
commitment to improving economic
development and opportunities in rural
Alaska. He observed that tribal
corporations are handling some TANF
benefits.
5815 Mr. Gilbertson There is no 60-month limitation for those
living in Native villages with greater
than 50 percent unemployment. He stressed
that this should not be a signal to the
state to abandon attempts to find good
jobs in those communities. There needs to
be a commitment to job skills. Healthcare
is one of the fastest growing
professions. Retention is a key issue.
The Division of Public Assistance works
closely with the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development to find jobs.
6044 Representative Croft Observed that $56 million dollars were
saved and questioned how much was
reinvested.
TAPE HFC 03 - 6,
Side B
6103 Mr. Gilbertson Explained that a number of the block
grant funds were reinvested: $5 million
in general fund dollars have been
supplanted by TANF [including some Head
Start funds], $7 million for childcare is
administered by the Division of Public
Assistance and $22 million dollars of the
TANF block grant is diverted for
childcare [development program].
6100 Ms. Clark Clarified that the above $34 million has
been reinvested.
6009 Representative Croft Asked what has happened to those that
have come off of benefits. He questioned
if they had found employment.
5931 Mr. Gilbertson Stated that it is too early to know the
results.
5916 Ms. Clark Noted that a "Leaver" study was done,
which contains some data regarding those
that have gone off of [TANF] benefits.
5827 Representative Referred to private sector creation of
Stoltze jobs and questioned if the administration
supports [private sector stimulation of
jobs] programs such as the one in Oregon.
5820 Mr. Gilbertson Explained that the Division of Public
Assistance has worked with individuals
who have come out of the Oregon system to
develop a workforce first agenda. He
stressed that the intent is to help
clients stay off of cash assistance.
5700 Mr. Gilbertson Pointed out that having a job is very
important to self-esteem and providing a
role model. It is very important to get
persons to work.
5556 Representative Noted that the state is beginning to feel
Whitaker the affects of the 60-month [benefit]
limit. He questioned if data is
available.
5512 Mr. Gilbertson Clarified that data is available and that
it would be provided at a later date.
5438 Representative Referred to the cycles of poverty.
Whitaker
5428 Mr. Gilbertson Noted that there are links between
parents that are dependent on welfare and
the likelihood that their children would
require future assistance. He stressed
the importance of job training programs.
The state would receive the benefit if
the next generation does not need
assistance if their parents can be
transitions into the workforce.
5253 Representative Questioned how the state of Alaska
Hawker compares to other states in regards to
programs services and benefits that the
Department of Health and Social Services
provides.
5146 Mr. Gilbertson Pointed out that there are a wide variety
of ways that states administer federal
block grants and programs. Medicare and
Welfare reform are the two largest.
Tennessee delivers services through a
HMO. Some states administer all grants
through the Medicaid program. Some states
have been slow to implement their Welfare
to Work programs. Denali Kid Care has
been a tremendous success in Alaska in
terms of enrollment. Some of the money
that has allowed Alaska's program to grow
so quickly came from what other states
left on the table. That is being changed
and Alaska may not receive this
redistribution money in the future.
4728 Representative Summarized that Alaska has done a good
Hawker job of availing itself of federal
resources programs.
4632 Mr. Gilbertson Maintained that, while the state of
Alaska has availed itself to the majority
of programs offered at the federal level,
the state has not maximized the potential
for federal revenues. Alaska has the
highest amount allowable in terms of its
income levels for children health
insurance program (200 percent of
poverty, which is the maximum allowed at
the federal level). The Medicaid program
in the state of Alaska has implemented
cost sharing, but there is flexibility to
implement containment measures within the
Medicaid program for additional savings.
The state still controls its ability to
structure federal programs.
4529 Representative Asked the Commission to address the
Hawker department's vision for shifting the cost
of various programs to dollars leveraged
from the federal system.
4506 Mr. Gilbertson Explained that Medicare is an insurance
program and financing system to provide
services where the costs are shared
between the state and federal government.
The state of Alaska has looked at ways to
draw down of additional federal money.
4334 Mr. Gilbertson Concluded that the federal government is
not paying its fair share for care
delivered in the state of Alaska and
other rural states where the cost of
delivery is greater. The formula is based
on per capita income, which does not have
a correlation with the cost of delivering
care. There are ways to find commonality
to assure that services are delivered in
the most efficient manner and that
federal revenues are maximized.
4114 Mr. Gilbertson Stressed the need for financial stability
to the Medicaid Program. This means
financial stability in grants and program
services. General fund dollars support
and supplemental requests needs to be
reduced.
4106 Mr. Gilbertson Continued by referring to charts
illustrating growth in eligibility and
costs among all populations. These
growths are associated with demographic
changes, regional and economic and some
are the result of efforts by providers to
maximize payment rates by signing up
individuals that are dual eligible. He
discussed cost and payment issues with
the Medicaid program. The State has
flexibility in program design, but
federal law establishes some things. A
new contract will address some issues, to
deliver the right care to beneficiaries.
Issues that will be reviewed in the
coming year include: the preferred drug
list, (determining the most cost
effective ones and making sure all are
accessible), transportation costs, abuse
activities, and third party liability.
3654 Mr. Gilbertson Discussed Youth Services; DFYS did not
meet some federal standards last year and
will bring on a new director to bring
about improvements. He explained that
this would require investment of time and
management. Once the plan is approved,
federal standards will have to be met
within two years.
3523 Mr. Gilbertson Referred to Chart 10 regarding Child
Reports of Harm and Chart 12,
illustrating juvenile justice activities.
He noted that there are facilities
throughout the state, including detention
and treatment facilities, with 490
employees. Pointed out that there is a
new facility in Kenai, which would be
completed in March. The Ketchikan
facility now fully operating. He
discussed the Bethel, Nome and McLaughlin
Youth Center facilities. Overcrowding
issues were discussed as being handled
internally.
3248 Mr. Gilbertson Reviewed the Division of Public Health.
He observed that the Division has a wide
purview, including epidemics, studies,
birth defect prevention, etc. There are
686 full time positions. The most high
profile positions involve the issue of
bio terrorism, and the small pox
vaccination program. A confidential state
plan would be shared with the federal
government. He added that the department
would begin the initial vaccinations of
the response team within the next month,
which would be ready to conduct
vaccinations if there is an detected case
of small pox any where in the world.
3106 Mr. Gilbertson Discussed the Division of Alcohol and
Drug Abuse. Alaska leads the nation in
alcohol abuse; 79 percent of
incarcerations resulted from alcohol
abuse; this also relates to child abuse.
The Governor is looking at treatment
programs in rural Alaska.
2951 Co-Chair Harris Asked about the planned use of revenues
from an increase in the alcohol tax.
2933 Mr. Gilbertson Explained that the Administration is
still in the process of developing the
FY04 budget. No decision had been made at
the time.
2904 Representative Joule Referred to tribal entities, which are
attacking social ills through wellness
programs.
2821 Mr. Gilbertson Referred to an appropriation of $15
million to the Alaska Federation of
Natives, which Senator Stevens
appropriation for alcohol treatment
programs in the state of Alaska. He
acknowledged that substance abuse and the
impacts of substance abuse are pervasive
throughout many areas of state
government. The Governor is aware of the
need of native corporations for resources
and is committed to local communities. He
expressed a desire to have community
ownership in success of programs.
2641 Ms. Clark Provided an update on the Alaska
Psychiatric Institute facility in
Anchorage. She noted that the facility
would be located on property near the
McLaughlin Youth Center. The property
was part of the Alaska Mental Health
Trust Land Settlement. The crisis
treatment center must be vacated in two
years. A solution must be found for that
facility.
2332
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
2308 MARC ANTRIM, Introduced department staff and discussed
COMMISSIONER, their duties.
DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS,
2002 Co-Chair Harris Questioned the difference between a
deputy commissioner and an assistant.
1943 Commissioner Antrim Explained that a deputy takes over for
the commissioner in his absence.
1848 Commissioner Antrim Discussed the Deputy Commissioner's
Office, which oversees training, prisoner
transport and prisoner classification.
1652 Co-Chair Harris Questioned if the Administration's
priority would be to house prisoners
close to home or if cost would be a
factor in long-term incarcerations.
1558 Commissioner Antrim Noted that the Department attempts to
house prisoners as close to home as
possible while meeting security and
financial needs.
1509 Commissioner Antrim Reviewed the Division of Administrative
Services, which oversees budget and
finance, data processing, human rights,
procurement, facilities management and
inmate health care.
TAPE HFC 03 - 7,
Side A
28 Commissioner Antrim Discussed the Division of Institutions.
He observed that costs vary. Larger
facilities are cheaper to house inmates.
New prisoner costs are higher due to
assessment mandates. Location determines
some of the cost.
157 Co-Chair Harris Questioned why the Palmer facility has
the lowest cost.
219 Commissioner Antrim Explained that it is a large facility
with low security needs. Capital costs
were not included.
339 Co-Chair Harris Questioned the cost of housing inmates in
Arizona.
354 Commissioner Antrim The cost to house inmates in Arizona is
approximately $54 a day or $65 with
program costs included. This does not
include travel.
415 Jerry Burnett, Observed that the Department is looking
Special Assistant, at including travel in their final
Department of figures.
Corrections
425 Commissioner Antrim Continued discussions of inmate programs:
adult basic education, general education,
youth offender program (spring Creek
Correctional Center), substance abuse,
sex offender treatment, anger management
and vocational and technical training.
556 Commissioner Antrim Reviewed the Community Jail Initiative,
which operates 15 local jails under
contract to police departments and costs
$2,844,900 dollars.
703 Representative Ralph Asked the timeline on audits and
Samuels determinations of recidivism rates.
734 Commissioner Antrim Clarified that the sex offender program
at Highland Mountain is the first
scheduled for audit. He was not able to
provide information on recidivism rates.
He observed that "recidivism" needs
further definition.
920 Representative Questioned how the decline in dividends
Stoltze has impacted the Department.
1002 Mr. Burnett Observed that it would have an affect,
but was not able to quantify it.
1028 Commissioner Antrim In response to a question by
Representative Stoltze, Commissioner
Antrim noted that there is a victims'
rights advocate in the Department. An
automative notification system allows
people to call in and receive information
regarding prisoners.
1109 Representative Joule Asked which inmate programs are court
ordered.
1128 Commissioner Antrim Explained that substance abuse and sex
related cases general have court ordered
treatment.
1198 Representative Joule Questioned if there was a correlation to
recidivism.
1224 Commissioner Antrim Affirmed that there is a level of
recidivism. He could not quantify the
rate. He acknowledged that he has seen
inmates that have gone through all of the
substance abuse programs return.
1251 Representative Joule Stressed the need to utilize traditional
cultural programs in conjuncture with
western methodologies.
1420 Commissioner Antrim Acknowledged that 34 percent of the
incarcerated population is Native. He
agreed that what is occurring is not
working and spoke to the consideration of
including Native entities to work with
inmates.
1516 Commissioner Antrim Discussed the Division of Community
Corrections/Probation and Parole. He
noted that it staffs field probation
officers in most major cities. Caseload
is between 70 and 75 inmates. The
caseload should not exceed 60-65 when
there is a requirement for 1-2 pre-
sentence reports per month.
1712 Commissioner Antrim Reviewed the caseload and noted that the
state is at the edge of the standard
requirements.
1748 Commissioner Antrim Referred to the Interstate Compact
Agreement, which allows prisoners to be
transferred between states.
1818 Commissioner Antrim Discussed budget units. The Department
was reduced to two budget review units in
order to provide flexibility:
Administration and Operations and
Community Residential Centers.
1922 Commissioner Antrim Observed that there are 3,123 prisoners
in state facilities. They are at 98
percent of capacity at present. There are
622 prisoners incarcerated at the
contract facility in Arizona. There are
21 prisoners in other out of state
facilities (due to medical and other
reasons).
2035 Representative Joule Asked when the Arizona contract would be
up for renewal. He asked the impact of a
5 or 10 percent reduction.
2075 Commissioner Antrim Responded that the out-of-state contract
is up in June 30, 2003.
2122 Mr. Burnett Noted that there is an option for a one-
year renewal, with an additional four-
month extension at the end of that
period. The state can enter
renegotiations in the current year or do
an automatic extension up to October
2004.
2149 Commissioner Antrim Stressed that the Department is heavy in
general fund spending. It would be
difficult to incorporate a reduction.
2226 Commissioner Antrim Spoke to the electronic monitoring.
2242 Representative Questioned if the Department anticipates
Stevens increasing the use of electronic
monitoring.
2305 Commissioner Antrim Acknowledged that electronic monitoring
is cost effective, but noted that it
doesn't prevent actions by prisoners. He
felt that there was room for expansion,
but stressed that it would have to be
done cautiously. The monitoring is not
GIS locating.
2515 Representative Questioned how success was defined.
Samuels
2527 Commissioner Antrim Clarified that recidivism rates have not
been determined, but that the technology
is successful in monitoring the inmates
and the inmates successfully complete
their requirements.
2631 Representative Joule Questioned if there has been an expansion
of roles for village public safety
officers. He observed that there are no
contract jails in villages. He observed
the difficulty of allowing prisoners to
travel to participate in family funerals.
2735 Commissioner Antrim Stated that the issue is: To what degree
is the Department able to get the
prisoner back to their hometown to
participate in family funeral services.
It is difficult to arrange
transportation, even in a larger town.
Prisoners may require a high level of
custody, which requires escorts. There is
a question as to who is responsible for
payment of the escort and travel.
2847 Representative Joule Noted that the family often offers to pay
the transportation and escort costs. A
larger issue is that village jails are
not state contract facilities.
3100 Commissioner Antrim Reviewed the Department's staffing level.
There are 1484 authorized positions.
There are 143 vacancies.
3207 Commissioner Antrim Discussed the Department's larger role as
a social service provider. The Department
is going to engage in medical cost
containment.
3329 Commissioner Antrim Looked at population management. The
Department has decided not to install
temporary housing, as the increase in
prisoner population has not manifested.
3421 Representative Spoke in support of the use of temporary
Stoltze housing.
3429 Commissioner Antrim Stressed the need to engage in staff
recruitment. Over the last eight years
the Native Alaskan staff has dropped from
6 to 4 percent. The number of female
staff has decreased, to a point which
makes it difficult to operate.
3609 Commissioner Antrim Spoke to workforce employment monies for
training.
3626 Commissioner Antrim Observed that the Department would
continue to work on missions and
measures.
3700 Commissioner Antrim Approximately 300 prisoners are mentally
ill. He questioned if the Department of
Corrections is the best place to house
these individuals.
3742 Commissioner Antrim Pointed out that there are few sleep off
centers. The Department of Corrections
was intended to be the last resort but
has become the first resort.
3818 Commissioner Antrim Anchorage and Juneau are the only
communities that routinely charge
arrested persons with violations of city
ordinances. Most cities and towns arrest
persons for violations of state charges,
leaving the Department and State to
assume all the costs.
3956 Mr. Burnett Clarified that Anchorage and Juneau do
reimburse the state.
4019 Representative Questioned if the Department receives
Stoltze Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
funds.
4031 Mr. Burnett The Department receives a little over $4
million in general fund mental health
dollars.
4049 Commissioner Antrim The Department is anticipating a need for
an additional $1.2 million stemming from
a vehicle accident out of Seward for
direct health care costs and the lost of
the transportation van.
4116 Commissioner Antrim Added that the Department is trying to
work on charge back costs associated with
ITG costs. There are a large number of
openings for probation officer and
correctional officers, which transfers to
a high level of overtime.
4149 Representative Referred to the cost schedule on page 2.
Hawker He asked for the calculated support of
the numbers. He noted that there are over
600 prisoners housed in the Arizona
facility and questioned if outside
housing is an acceptable as a cost
reduction solution.
4248 Commissioner Antrim Replied that it is a logistical problem.
There are costs associated with
transport. He discussed other problems
and noted that doctors are being shared
with other units. There is a policy
question of whether Alaskan citizens
should be in Alaska.
4501 Representative Questioned if the inmate population is at
Hawker risk in Arizona.
4520 Commissioner Antrim Did not think that prisoners in Arizona
were at risk and noted that grievances
are monitored.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:54 PM
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