03/19/2024 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| State Medical Board | |
| HB275 | |
| HCR9 | |
| HB361 | |
| HB346 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 275 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 361 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 346 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 19, 2024
3:09 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Prax, Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Genevieve Mina
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Jesse Sumner
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
State Medical Board
David Wilson - Anchorage
-CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 275
"An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits;
establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system;
and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 275(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9
Recognizing the need for parity in the provision of mental
health and substance use disorder medical assistance benefits in
the state; and urging the Department of Health to adopt
regulations that ensure parity in the provision of mental health
and substance use disorder medical assistance benefits in the
state.
- MOVED HCR 9 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 361
"An Act relating to the medical assistance program and mental
health or substance use disorder benefit requirements; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 346
"An Act relating to grants to disaster victims."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 275
SHORT TITLE: SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/18/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/24 (H) HSS, FIN
01/30/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
01/30/24 (H) Heard & Held
01/30/24 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
02/22/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
02/22/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 02/24/24>
02/24/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
02/24/24 (H) Heard & Held
02/24/24 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/12/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/12/24 (H) Heard & Held
03/12/24 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/19/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HCR 9
SHORT TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ASSISTANCE PARITY
SPONSOR(s): PRAX
02/15/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/15/24 (H) HSS
03/19/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 361
SHORT TITLE: BENEFIT REQS: MENTAL HLTH & SUBST ABUSE
SPONSOR(s): PRAX
02/20/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/24 (H) HSS
03/19/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 346
SHORT TITLE: GRANTS TO DISASTER VICTIMS
SPONSOR(s): STORY
02/20/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/24 (H) HSS, FIN
03/19/24 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVID WILSON, Appointee
State Medical Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Medical
Board.
LISA PURINTON, Legislative Liaison
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
275.
DAVID KANARIS, Chief
Forensic Laboratories
Division of Statewide Services
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 275.
RILEY NYE, Staff
Representative Mike Prax
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Mike Prax,
prime sponsor, presented HCR 9 and HB 361.
JOHN SOLOMON, CEO
Alaska Behavioral Health Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a PowerPoint presentation during the
hearing on HCR 9.
TRACY DOMPELING, Director
Division of Behavioral Health
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered committee questions on HCR 9.
RENEE GAYHART, Director
Health Care Services
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered committee questions on HCR 9.
JARED KOSIN, President & CEO
Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 9.
LANCE JOHNSON, COO
Alaska Behavioral Health Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 9; on behalf of
Representative Mike Prax, prime sponsor, presented HB 361.
TRACY DOMPELING, Director
Division of Behavioral Health
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered committee questions on HB 361.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 346.
JOAN WILKERSON, Staff
Representative Andi Story
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Andi Story,
prime sponsor, presented HB 346.
ANGELA LAFLAMME, Legislative Liaison
Department of Military & Veteran's Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered committee questions on HB 346.
WADE BRYSON, Member
Juneau Assembly
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony on HB 346.
SYLVIA HEINZ, Tribal Emergency Manager
Chilkoot Indian Association
Haines, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony on HB 346.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:09:58 PM
CHAIR PRAX called the House Health and Social Services Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:09 p.m. Representatives
Ruffridge, Saddler, Fields, and Prax were present at the call to
order. Representative Mina arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^State Medical Board
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
State Medical Board
3:12:03 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the first order of business would be
the confirmation hearing on the governor's appointee for the
State Medical Board.
DAVID WILSON, Governor's Appointee, State Medical Board, began
by reviewing his resume [included in the committee packet] to
the committee and described his experience in working with the
rural health care industry in Alaska. He explained his
understanding of the challenges and expenses that face rural
health care in Alaska and highlighted a few of the lessons he
learned while working in Alaska's rural health care industry.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Wilson if he'd previously
served on the State Medical Board and asked what sort of issues
he has faced during his tenure.
MR. WILSON answered that his confirmation hearing would move him
into his second term on the State Medical Board and explained
that the biggest issue he has faced while serving his first term
on the board has been ensuring that medical professional
standards are held across all fields of practice.
3:18:17 PM
CHAIR PRAX asked whether aviation's aeronautical decision making
could be used as a parallel to the medical field's decision-
making process.
MR. WILSON answered that it is important to make decisions
systematically and said that safety, compliance, customer
service, and efficiency are paramount when ensuring medical care
be delivered properly and professionally.
3:22:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) has provided
adequate administrative support for the State Medical Board.
MR. WILSON replied that the State Medical Board has had some
recommendations from DCCED and said that the board will always
take the department's recommendations into serious
consideration.
3:23:58 PM
CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on the confirmation hearing
for the governor's appointee to the State Medical Board. After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he
closed public testimony.
3:24:30 PM
CHAIR PRAX stated that the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the
governor's appointees and recommends that the following name be
forwarded to a joint session for consideration: David Wilson,
State Medical Board. He said that signing the report regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects an
individual member's approval or disapproval of the appointee,
and the nomination is merely forwarded to the full legislature
for confirmation or rejection.
3:25:08 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:25 p.m. to 3:27 p.m.
HB 275-SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING
3:27:03 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 275, "An Act relating to sexual assault
examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination
kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date."
3:27:51 PM
CHAIR PRAX handed the gavel to Vice-Chair Ruffridge.
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced the committee would entertain
amendments. [Amendments 1-4 were included in the committee
packet but never offered.]
3:28:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX moved to adopt Amendment 5 to HB 275,
labeled 33-GH2317\A.5, C. Radford, 3/15/24, which read as
follows:
Page 1, following line 3:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Section 1. AS 12.61.010(a) is amended to read:
(a) Victims of crimes have the following rights:
(1) the right to be present during any
proceeding in
(A) the prosecution and sentencing of a
defendant if the defendant has the right to be
present, including being present during testimony even
if the victim is likely to be called as a witness;
(B) the adjudication of a minor as provided
under AS 47.12.110;
(2) the right to be notified by the
appropriate law enforcement agency or the prosecuting
attorney of any request for a continuance that may
substantially delay the prosecution and of the date of
trial, sentencing, including a proceeding before a
three-judge panel under AS 12.55.175, an appeal, and
any hearing in which the defendant's release from
custody is considered;
(3) the right to be notified that a
sentencing hearing or a court proceeding to which the
victim has been subpoenaed will not occur as
scheduled;
(4) the right to receive protection from
harm and threats of harm arising out of cooperation
with law enforcement and prosecution efforts and to be
provided with information as to the protection
available;
(5) the right to be notified of the
procedure to be followed to apply for and receive any
compensation under AS 18.67;
(6) at the request of the prosecution or a
law enforcement agency, the right to cooperate with
the criminal justice process without loss of pay and
other employee benefits except as authorized by
AS 12.61.017 and without interference in any form by
the employer of the victim of crime;
(7) the right to obtain access to immediate
medical assistance and not to be detained for an
unreasonable length of time by a law enforcement
agency before having medical assistance administered;
however, an employee of the law enforcement agency
may, if necessary, accompany the person to a medical
facility to question the person about the criminal
incident if the questioning does not hinder the
administration of medical assistance;
(8) the right to make a written or oral
statement for use in preparation of the presentence
report of a felony defendant;
(9) the right to appear personally at the
defendant's sentencing hearing to present a written
statement and to give sworn testimony or an unsworn
oral presentation;
(10) the right to be informed by the
prosecuting attorney, at any time after the
defendant's conviction, about the complete record of
the defendant's convictions;
(11) the right to notice under AS 12.47.095
concerning the status of the defendant found not
guilty by reason of insanity;
(12) the right to notice under AS 33.16.087
of a hearing concerning special medical parole of the
defendant;
(13) the right to notice under AS 33.16.120
of a hearing to consider or review discretionary
parole of the defendant;
(14) the right to notice under AS 33.30.013
of the release or escape of the defendant; [AND]
(15) the right to be notified orally and in
writing of and receive information about the office of
victims' rights from the law enforcement officer
initially investigating the crime and from the
prosecuting attorney assigned to the offense; at a
minimum, the information provided must include the
address, telephone number, and Internet address of the
office of victims' rights; this paragraph
(A) applies only to victims of felonies and
to victims of class A misdemeanors if the class A
misdemeanor is a crime involving domestic violence or
a crime against a person under AS 11.41; if the victim
is an unemancipated minor, the law enforcement officer
and the prosecuting attorney shall also provide the
notice required by this paragraph to the parent or
guardian of the minor;
(B) is satisfied if, at the time of initial
contact with the crime victim, the investigating
officer and prosecuting attorney each give each crime
victim a brochure or other written material prepared
by the office of victims' rights and provided to law
enforcement agencies for that purpose; and
(16) the right to be notified of the
location and testing date of a sexual assault
examination kit collected from the victim."
Page 1, line 4:
Delete "Section 1"
Insert "Sec. 2"
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 3, line 27:
Delete "Section 7"
Insert "Section 8"
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX explained that Amendment 5 would give a
sexual assault victim the right to be notified of the location
and testing date of their sexual assault examination kit.
3:28:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether any organizations had given
background or guidance in the creation of Amendment 5.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX directed his answer to Lisa Purinton of the
Alaska Department of Public Safety.
3:29:04 PM
LISA PURINTON, Legislative Liaison, Department of Public Safety
(DPS), explained that the proposed Amendment was created while
working with the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (ANDVSA).
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether Amendment 5 would
effectively duplicate language on page 3, lines 12-15 of HB 275
and create any conflict in the bill language.
MS. PURINTON replied that Amendment 5 would codify victims'
rights in statute and explained that DPS doesn't foresee any
conflicts arising due to the proposed amendment's language.
3:32:51 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether a victim was already entitled
to be notified of the time and location that their sexual
assault examination kits would be tested.
MS. PURINTON explained that a victim would be given information
into their case upon the beginning of the investigation.
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether people aren't currently being
notified of their sexual assault examination kit's test time and
locations.
MS. PURINTON referred the question to David Kanaris of DPS.
3:35:40 PM
DAVID KANARIS, Forensic Laboratories, Division of Statewide
Services, Department of Public Safety, responded that he doesn't
have a comprehensive list of that which a victim is notified
upon the beginning of the investigation of their sexual assault
examination kit and said that the responsibility lies mainly
upon the medical provider.
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 5 to HB 275 was adopted.
[Vice Chair Ruffridge handed the gavel back to Chair Prax.]
3:37:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked about the practicality of the
timeline of seven days to return a report on a sexual assault
examination kit.
3:38:47 PM
MS. PURINTON answered that DPS would not be opposed to a change
in the timeline.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether 14 days would be a better
timeline for the investigation of a sexual assault examination
kit.
MS. PURINTON explained that a 14-day timeline would restart at
each stage of the investigation, so a longer timeline would have
a cascading effect on the entire investigation process.
3:41:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked whether DPS has an idea of the average
amount of time it takes for a nurse to test sexual assault
examination kits.
MS. PURINTON answered that 6.8 days is the current average time
it takes to perform testing on a sexual assault examination kit.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked whether there is any difference in the
timeline for a rural case versus an urban case.
MS. PURINTON deferred to Mr. Kanaris.
3:43:28 PM
MR. KANARIS replied that there has been no data on the
difference between rural and urban sexual assault examination
kit test times aggregated within the last six months.
3:44:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved Conceptual Amendment [6] to HB 275,
as follows:
Page 1, line 9:
Delete "Seven"
Insert "Fourteen"
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that he offered Conceptual
Amendment [6] to HB 275 because he doesn't want to overburden
the investigation system and said that he had heard enough
evidence to prove the need for the change in the timeline of
sexual assault examination kit testing.
3:45:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE commented that the current bill
language contains no penalties for taking any longer than the
current seven-day timeline that is codified in statute and
further opined that the witness letter he is referencing is
aspiring for a shorter timeline, not a longer one.
3:47:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said that the DPS should aim for best
standard achievable and shared his support of Representative
Ruffridge's position on Conceptual Amendment [6] to HB 275.
3:49:22 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:49 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
3:50:25 PM
MS. PURINTON clarified how medical timelines would work and said
that a 10-day timeline would be better than a 14-day timeline.
3:51:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Conceptual Amendment [6] to HB 275, to change "Fourteen" to
"Ten".
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Mina and Saddler
voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment
[6] to HB 275. Representatives Fields, Ruffridge, and Prax
voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Conceptual Amendment [6] to HB 275 failed by a vote of 2-3.
CHAIR PRAX offered his understanding that the committee, in
failing to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment
[6] now had HB 275, as amended, before it. [The motion to adopt
Conceptual Amendment [6] was not addressed further; Conceptual
Amendment [6] was treated as not adopted.]
3:54:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HB 275, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 275
(HSS) was reported out of the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee.
3:55:27 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:55 p.m. to 3:58 p.m.
HCR 9-MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ASSISTANCE PARITY
3:58:34 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9, "Recognizing the need for
parity in the provision of mental health and substance use
disorder medical assistance benefits in the state; and urging
the Department of Health to adopt regulations that ensure parity
in the provision of mental health and substance use disorder
medical assistance benefits in the state."
3:59:24 PM
RILEY NYE, Staff, Representative Mike Prax, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Prax, prime sponsor,
presented HCR 9. He began by reading the sponsor statement
[included in committee packet], which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
House Concurrent Resolution 9 urges the State of
Alaska to pass parity standard regulations, which
would ensure that Alaskans have easy and fast access
to behavioral health care.
Under parity standard regulations, private insurers
would have to cover behavioral health services so that
insurers, including Medicaid, can't make it harder to
get behavioral health care than physical health care.
Implementation of parity standard regulations would
remove barriers that are slowing down the behavioral
health treatment process such as extensive paperwork,
health care stigmas, outdated insurance regulations,
and restrictions to the amount of care patients
receive. This will ensure patients are able to
transition between physical and behavioral health
services smoothly and more time will be spent treating
patients rather than completing administrative tasks.
The outcomes of parity legislation would be efficient
and cost-effective care, reduced reliance on emergency
rooms and correctional facilities, more Medicaid
providers in the system, streamlined care coordination
between health services, and programs based on
outcomes and evidence. This would ensure Alaskans
receive behavioral health care that is subject to the
same terms and conditions as medical and surgical
care. I urge you to support HCR 9.
4:01:11 PM
JOHN SOLOMON, CEO, Alaska Behavioral Health Association, gave a
PowerPoint presentation during the hearing on HCR 9.
4:01:58 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:01 p.m. to 4:02 p.m. to
address a technical issue.
4:02:24 PM
MR. SOLOMON began the PowerPoint presentation [hardcopy included
in the committee packet] on slide 1, which gave a background to
what the Alaska Behavioral Health Association (ABHA) is and what
its goals are as an organization. He moved to slide 2, which
explained what the concept of "parity" is with regard to
medicine and mental health treatment. He continued to slide 3,
which explained what barriers currently exist to obtaining
adequate mental health treatment and how to overcome them. He
moved through slides 4 and 5, both of which highlighted how
community health centers function and how an individual's first
appointment at one might transpire.
MR. SOLOMON continued the presentation to slide 6, which
overviewed a behind-the-scenes look at the process of a
community behavioral health center's operations and staff. He
moved to slide 7, which displayed a three-color graph that
outlined the differences between qualitative treatment limiters
at healthcare facilities. He continued through slides 8 and 9,
both of which displayed a continuation of the three-color graph
as displayed on slide 7. He moved to slide 10, which described
the effort to ensure the accessibility of mental health
treatment and the reasons that HCR 9 is being brought before the
legislature this late in the fight for parity. He continued to
slide 11, which highlighted certain real-world outcomes that
could be expected from ensuring parity in mental health
treatment. He continued to slide 12, which highlighted specific
factors attaining to a legislative parity resolution and
concluded the presentation on slide 13.
4:20:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether HCR 9 would call for parity
under Alaska's Medicaid program.
MR. SOLOMON answered that Alaska is exempt from federal parity
standards and said that Alaska is not beholden to Medicaid.
4:22:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether the legislature could pass a
bill to achieve parity in mental health treatment.
MR. SOLOMON replied that there is a bill already in line to be
passed after HCR 9 would be passed.
4:24:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked whether current Alaska
regulations are to blame for a lack of access to mental health
treatment, not necessarily parity.
4:25:45 PM
TRACY DOMPELING, Director, Division of Behavioral Health,
Department of Health, answered committee questions on HCR 9.
She said that HCR 9 would give guidance on Alaska's state
healthcare plans and 1115 services.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked whether a lack of parity is a
result of a failure of the state when the original state
healthcare plan was created.
MS. DOMPELING replied that HCR 9 is possible and said that the
Division of Behavioral Health, within the Department of Health
(DOH) has been working with healthcare providers and facilities
to ensure parity may be achieved.
4:28:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether DOH would seek to revise
existing regulations.
MS. DOMPELING explained that DOH has been meaning to revise
regulations surrounding parity for a while and said that HCR 9
would give DOH further guidance on the matter.
4:29:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA referenced Alaska Statute (AS) 21.54.151 and
asked whether behavioral health parity already exists for
private insurance.
MS. DOMPELING deferred to Renee Gayhart of DOH.
4:29:51 PM
RENEE GAYHART, Director, Division of Health Care Services,
Department of Health, responded that she would follow up with an
answer following the committee meeting.
4:31:27 PM
CHAIR PRAX asked whether HCR 9 is necessary to show the federal
government Alaska's intentions with regard to parity.
MS. GAYHART indicated that's correct.
4:32:06 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:32 p.m. to 4:33 p.m.
4:33:45 PM
CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on HCR 9.
4:34:32 PM
JARED KOSIN, Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association, testified
in support of HCR 9. He said that HCR 9 would align Alaska
statutes, policies, and regulations with the Mental Health
parity and the Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and explained how
this would be beneficial to healthcare throughout Alaska.
4:36:06 PM
LANCE JOHNSON, COO, Alaska Behavioral Health Association,
testified in support of HCR 9. He said that HCR 9 would well
prepare Alaska's behavioral healthcare industry for the future
and said that HCR 9 represents a lot of good work that has been
done.
4:37:31 PM
CHAIR PRAX, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HCR 9.
4:37:54 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 4:37 p.m.
4:38:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HCR 9 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HCR 9 was reported out of the
House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
4:38:46 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:38 p.m. to 4:42 p.m.
HB 361-BENEFIT REQS: MENTAL HLTH & SUBST ABUSE
4:42:23 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 361, "An Act relating to the medical assistance
program and mental health or substance use disorder benefit
requirements; and providing for an effective date."
RILEY NYE, Staff, Representative Mike Prax, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Mike Prax, prime
sponsor, presented HB 361. He began by reading the sponsor
statement [included in committee packet], which read as
follows[original punctuation provided]:
House bill 361 seeks to change the burdensome
requirements placed on behavioral health services
under the State of Alaska Medicaid program. In 2000,
Congress passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
(MHPAEA). This law prevents group health plans and
health insurers that provide mental health or
substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits from imposing
less favorable benefit limitations and requirements
than on medical/surgical benefits. Today, 37 states
have enacted parity laws of widely varying scope and
efficacy. Since the beginning of 2018, 17 states have
passed legislation requiring insurers to demonstrate
compliance on an annual basis.
The State of Alaska Medicaid Program is exempt from
federal MH/SUD Parity requirements because Alaska is a
'Fee-for-Service' State. This exemption has led to
ineffective payment rates for providers AND
overbearing regulatory requirements that further erode
access to life-saving treatments. While commercial
insurers are required to meet Federal parity
requirements, House bill 361 seeks the same access to
behavioral health services for Medicaid beneficiaries.
To the extent the State law mandates that an issuer
provide some coverage for any mental health condition
or substance use disorder, benefits for that condition
or disorder must be provided in parity with
medical/surgical benefits under MHPAEA." In other
words, state laws can strengthen parity protections
but not weaken them.
House bill 361 requires parity to reduce the
administrative burden and less favorable benefit
limitations for behavioral health services Alaska.
4:44:58 PM
LANCE JOHNSON, COO, Alaska Behavioral Health Association,
provided invited testimony during the hearing on HB 361. He
began by describing the necessity of the proposed legislation
and why it was separate from HCR 9. He explained the difference
in healthcare scenarios in which parity was present in one and
not in the other. He highlighted the narrow window that
currently exists for someone experiencing a mental health crisis
to seek proper healthcare and explained the need to align
integrated healthcare with what currently exists. He opined
that HB 361 would be a good starting point to align those two
aspects of the system.
4:50:47 PM
TRACY DOMPELING, Director, Division of Behavioral Health,
Department of Health, as invited testifier, remarked that Mr.
Johnson had covered the most important parts of the proposed
legislation and informed the committee that DOH is prepared to
work with the legislature in the implementation of the policies
proposed under HB 361.
4:51:44 PM
CHAIR PRAX opened public testimony on HB 361. After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he
closed public testimony.
4:52:39 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that HB 361 was held over.
4:53:59 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:53 p.m. to 4:54 p.m.
HB 346-GRANTS TO DISASTER VICTIMS
4:54:14 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 346, "An Act relating to grants to disaster
victims."
4:54:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 346. She began by reading the sponsor
statement [included in committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
As a state, Alaska has experienced numerous natural
disasters in the past few years, including typhoons,
mudslides, rockslides and floods. Many of these
occurrences do not meet the requirements to receive
federal disaster funds. House Bill 346 changes two
things regarding state-only disasters. First, under
current law, Alaskans can receive $21,000 from the
state to pay for the damage experienced in the
disaster. This amount has not been changed in decades.
In most cases, the amount is too low to help victims
replace what was lost. This bill increases that amount
to $50,000 or half of the federal relief allowable,
whichever amount is greater.
In addition, the current statute does not permit
disaster victims who are condo owners to use the
grants received to pay for assessments levied by the
condo association to pay for condo-wide damage. For
example, if the condo buildings' foundations are
damaged, the condo association will impose an
assessment upon each unit owner to help pay for
repairs. Although this amount is significant and
causes financial distress at a time that is already
overwhelming, the current statute does not allow the
use of state aid for that purpose. HB 346 will permit
Alaskans who own condos to use the relief grant
towards the assessment they owe for condo-wide damage
repair costs.
I respectfully ask for support in the passage of HB
346.
4:59:13 PM
JOAN WILKERSON, Staff, Representative Andi Story, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Andi Story, prime
sponsor, gave the sectional analysis for HB 346 [included in
committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Section 1: Repeals and reenacts a previously existing
section in statute without substantive changes so the
format is consistent with later sections.
Section 2: Increases the maximum amount of state aid
to the greater of $50,000 or half of the federal
maximum, which is approximately $21,000 currently.
Allows those receiving a grant who are members of a
condominium association to use state aid to pay for
the grantee's share of damage expenses incurred by the
condominium association.
5:00:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Representative Story what the
relationship between private disaster insurance and state
disaster grants is.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY referred her answer to Angela Laflamme of
the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs.
ANGELA LAFLAMME, Legislative Liaison, Department of Military &
Veteran's Affairs, answered committee questions on HB 346. She
said that the state disaster relief program is not currently
designed to replace private insurance.
5:02:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether it would be cheaper for the
State of Alaska to "buy out" residents living in areas affected
by frequent natural disasters.
MS. LAFLAMME answered that the state individual assistance
program does not currently cover ground movements and said that
current regulations in Alaska are on par with federal disaster
regulations.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether an insurance company would
consider a home destroyed by a landslide a flood claim or a
ground movement claim.
MS. LAFLAMME said that the statutory definition of a disaster is
what would trigger a state disaster relief program.
5:05:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented that the fixes proposed under HB
346 are directed at two specific problems and acknowledged that
there is more work to be done with regard to disaster relief
funds in Alaska.
5:05:49 PM
WADE BRYSON, Juneau Assembly Member, gave invited testimony on
HB 346. He began his testimony by speaking about the Mendenhall
Rivers recent catastrophic flooding events and shared his
experience as an elected official assisting and providing aide
to those affected by the flood. He said the understanding of
uncertainty that natural disasters pose is paramount in the
understanding of the necessity of disaster preparedness and
relief. He emphasized that no electoral district in Alaska is
immune from disaster and said that HB 346 presents an acceptable
solution for families and individuals that might inevitably be
affected by a natural disaster in the future.
5:13:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether the City and Borough of
Juneau (CBJ) is working to update its land hazard maps in wake
of its recent flooding events.
MR. BRYSON replied that "Juneau is built on a landslide hazard"
and said that the Juneau Assembly has removed some hazard areas
on its current land hazard maps to allow for homeowners to
better prepare for the possibility of a landslide.
5:16:01 PM
CHAIR PRAX asked whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) was working with CBJ to help provide disaster relief to
affected families and individuals along the Mendenhall River.
MR. BRYSON replied that the land that is eroded away from the
river bands by flooding water is considered "earth movement" and
is not covered by FEMA.
5:16:48 PM
SYLVIA HEINZ, Tribal Emergency Manager, Chilkoot Indian
Association, gave invited testimony on HB 346. She said that
disasters are increasing in their frequency and intensity and
said, "It is not if a disaster gets a community, but when." She
described how the 2020 Haines flooding disaster impacted that
community and emphasized that the state individual assistance
funds were paramount in the recovery of people affected by the
event. She said that the current disaster relief funds from the
state are not sufficient to get people back on their feet. She
highlighted that HB 346 would have a positive effect on Alaska's
economy and explained how the money would stimulate a
community's local economy. She added that she was impressed
with the Alaska's Division of Homeland Security and its
performance in the relief and support of Alaskans affected by
natural disasters.
5:23:18 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that HB 346 was held over.
5:23:26 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| David Wilson Medical Board App_Redacted.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| David Wilson Medical Board Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's Appointee |
| HCR 9 Ver A.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |
| HB 361 Version A.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 361 |
| HB 346 Article APM 3.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HB 346 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HB 346 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HB 346 Support Doc APM 2.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HB 346 Support Doc. Article APM 1.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HB 346 Version A.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HB 361 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 361 |
| HB 361 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 361 |
| HCR 9 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |
| HB 275 Amendment A.5 #5.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 275 |
| HB 361 Fiscal Note DOH-MS.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 361 |
| HB 346 Fiscal Note MVA-DHSEM.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 346 |
| HCR 9 AMHB.ABADA Support.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |
| HCR 9 Parity Presentation .pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 9 |
| HB 275 Forensic Nurse Testimony.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 275 |
| HB 361 Presentation v.2.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 361 |
| HB 275 (H)HSS DPS Follow-Up 3.13.24.pdf |
HHSS 3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 275 |