Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
02/02/2023 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Presentation(s): Department of Health | |
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 2, 2023
3:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Prax, Chair
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Jesse Sumner
Representative Zack Fields
Representative Genevieve Mina
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
HEIDI HEDBERG, Commissioner Designee
Department of Health
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation on the
Department of Health.
ANNE ZINK, MD, Chief Medical Officer
Division of Public Health
Department of Health
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation on the
Department of Health.
EMILY RICCI, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation on the
Department of Health.
JOSEPHINE "JOSIE" STERN, Assistant Commissioner
Finance Management Services
Department of Health
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered a PowerPoint presentation on the
Department of Health.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:03:52 PM
CHAIR MIKE PRAX called the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
Representatives Fields, Sumner, Saddler, McCormick, Ruffridge,
Mina, and Prax were present at the call to order.
^PRESENTATION(s): DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
PRESENTATION(s): DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
3:05:03 PM
CHAIR PRAX announced that the only order of business would be a
presentation on the Department of Health.
3:06:02 PM
HEIDI HEDBERG, Commissioner Designee, Department of Health,
stated that the presentation would serve to provide information
regarding the Department of Health, with some focus on the
backlog of the Division of Public Assistance. She introduced
herself and fellow presenters and relayed her experience working
for the Division of Public Health (DPH) for 13 years, the last
four years as the director of the division. She invited Dr.
Anne Zink to begin the PowerPoint.
3:07:52 PM
ANNE ZINK, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health, offered a brief overview of her work
history and how her work as a medical professional led to focus
on policy, then began the PowerPoint presentation [hard copy
included in the committee packet], addressing slides 2-4, "State
of Health." She spoke about the puzzle pieces necessary for
good health and well-being [shown on slide 2]: neighborhood and
environment; education; long-term service & supports; access to
health care; economic stability; and physical health;
transportation and housing; adverse childhood experiences; cost
of care; and social connectedness. She stated that healthy
people make healthy economies; 80 percent of what makes people
healthy lies outside of the healthcare system. She noted that
there are varied lenses when considering healthcare.
DR. ZINK spoke about the leading causes of death, comparing
Alaska with the U.S. as a whole, and life expectancy at birth
versus health care expenditures per capita [slide 3]. Alaska
has more deaths per capita compared to the rest of the country
in accidents, suicide, and liver disease. She noted one way to
consider how the state is doing is by considering the cost of
healthcare. Alaska is ranked twenty-ninth in the country in
terms of life expectancy but ranks the second highest in cost of
healthcare per capita.
3:12:57 PM
DR. ZINK discussed Alaska's health improvement plan [slide 4],
which read as follows:
Healthy Weight and Nutrition
Environmental Health
Healthcare Access
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Substance Misuse
Mental Health & Suicide
Injury and Violence
Infectious Disease
Cancer & Chronic Disease
Social and Protective Factors
checkbld Thirty health objectives with specific targets to
reach by 2030 provide a common framework with
strategies and actions to achieve each target
checkbld Partnering with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
(ANTHC)
checkbld Serves as roadmap for stakeholders to work together on
upstream health improvements
checkbld Annual progress report on each target
DR. ZINK talked about report cards showing data from 2010 and
2020, as well as annual interim report cards. She turned the
presentation back over to Commissioner Designee Hedberg.
3:14:32 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG directed attention to slide 5,
"Healthy Families Initiative," which read as follows:
Strong families are the foundation of a healthy
society and a vibrant economy.
• 4-year statewide investments in the health and
wellbeing of Alaskan families
• Governor Dunleavy proposed $9.9M (UGF) in his FY2024
operating budget for Healthy Families activities
within DOH:
checkbld Postpartum Medicaid extension
checkbld Office of Health Savings
checkbld TB and congenital syphilis mitigation
checkbld Fresh Start Campaign
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG noted the three color-coded topics
on slide 5: Healthy Beginnings [yellow], including
prioritization of child and maternal health, emphasis on
prevention measures, and improvement of child care and after
school programs; Health Care Access [red], including mental and
physical health care, working with partners to create a robust
healthcare workforce, seeking better health outcomes, and "aging
in place"; and Healthy Communities [blue], building on existing
efforts to create healthful workplaces and affordable housing,
and reducing the burden of infectious and chronic diseases
through the "Fresh Start" campaign. She said this initiative is
supported with federal funds.
3:16:40 PM
DR. ZINK picked up the presentation on slide 6, "Office of
Health Savings," which read as follows:
• Reducing health care costs while improving the
health of Alaskans
• Positioned within DOH Commissioner's Office
checkbld Initial savings focused on Medicaid program
checkbld Innovative payment models
checkbld Pharmacy costs and improved access to critical
medications
DR. ZINK pointed to a graph on the right of slide 6, which shows
health care expenditures per capita in "Alaska vs. United
States" from 1991 to 2020, and in about 2000 there was an
increase in the amount Alaska spends.
3:18:47 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG resumed on slide 7, which
addresses the reorganization of the former Department of Health
and Social Services (DHSS), [on July 1, 2022, via Executive
Order 121], into two departments: the Department of Health
(DOH) and the Department of Family and Community Services
(DFCS), and which lists the offices within each department as
follows:
[DOH]
checkbld Commissioner's Office
checkbld Finance & Management Services
checkbld Health Care Services
checkbld Behavioral Health
checkbld Senior & Disabilities Services
checkbld Public Assistance
checkbld Public Health
[DFCS]
checkbld Commissioner's Office
checkbld Finance & Management Services
checkbld Alaska Psychiatric Institute
checkbld Juvenile Justice
checkbld Alaska Pioneer Homes
checkbld Office of Children's Services
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG offered an update on the
department split, as shown on slide 8, which read:
• Shared IT Resources
Developing a roadmap to separating resources
• Information Technology Debt
Seeking contractors and modernizing systems to improve
efficiency and quality of service
• Improving the Continuum of Care
Establishing a coordinated system across DOH and DFCS
to ensure person-centered care
• Complex Care
Identifying solutions to address systemic gaps in
access to care for patients with complex needs
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG discussed slide 9, "Finance and
Management Services," which read:
FMS provides financial, administrative, facilities,
and technology services to the department
• Budget
• Revenue & Finance
• Information Technology Services
checkbld HIPAA Compliant
• Human Resources
• Grants and Contracts
checkbld $173+ million distributed in grants
checkbld 500+ operating grantees
• Program Integrity
• Medicaid, Allocations, and Audit Services
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG described Finance and Management
Services as the "backbone" of DOH. She then introduced Emily
Ricci to provide an overview of the Division of Senior and
Disabilities Services, the Division of Behavioral Health, and
the Division of Health Care Services.
3:23:03 PM
EMILY RICCI, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health, offered
a brief work history. She then covered slide 10, "Division of
Senior and Disabilities Services," which read as follows:
SDS promotes health, well-being and safety for
individuals with disabilities, seniors and vulnerable
adults by facilitating access to quality services and
supports that foster independence, personal choice and
dignity.
Programs
checkbld Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
checkbld Adult Protective Services (APS)
checkbld Infant Learning program
checkbld General Relief program
Highlights from FY22
checkbld 10% Medicaid rate increase for HCBS providers
checkbld $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for
HCBS providers
checkbld Full funding allocated to improvements to HCBS
for seniors and people with disabilities
checkbld Stakeholder engagement
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RICCI moved on to slide 11, "Division of
Health Care Services." She called this division "the heartbeat
of the Medicaid Program." She discussed the slide, which read
as follows:
HCS's mission is to provide to all eligible Alaskans
access and oversight to the full range of appropriate
Medicaid services. We also protect Alaska's most
vulnerable populations through our certification and
licensing sections.
Programs
checkbld Administering Medicaid services $45-50 million
weekly check write
checkbld Background Check Unit (BCU)
checkbld Licensing (Residential & Facilities)
checkbld Transportation
checkbld Tribal reclaiming
Highlights from FY22
checkbld Fiscal agent transition
checkbld $155 million in claims recovery
checkbld $45 million in pharmacy savings
checkbld $74 million in tribal reclaiming
checkbld 22K+ determinations issued on background check
applications
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RICCI talked about staffing challenges and
efforts to shorten "turnaround" time in relation to services.
She highlighted fiscal agent services in relation to processing
claims and a contract in the works.
3:29:37 PM
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RICCI discussed slide 12, "Division of
Behavioral Health," which read:
DBH has a commitment to improving the quality of life
of Alaskans through the right service to the right
person at the right time.
Programs
checkbld Behavioral health Medicaid Services (State Plan &
1115 Waiver)
checkbld Tobacco enforcement
checkbld Alcohol Safety Action Program
checkbld Treatment and Recovery Team
checkbld Suicide prevention
Highlights from FY22
checkbld 988 Implementation and the Zero Suicide
Initiative
checkbld 180 grant awards
checkbld Expanded services
checkbld $190 Million claims paid through 1115 Waiver
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RICCI summarized the work being done in the
division.
3:32:08 PM
DR. ZINK took up slide 13, "Division of Public Health," which
states that the division "is committed to protecting and
promoting the health of Alaskans." She discussed the functions
of the eight programs within the division, listed on the slide:
Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion; Epidemiology;
Health Analytics and Vital Records; State Public Health
laboratories; Public Health Nursing; Rural & Community Health
Systems; State Medical Examiner's Office, and Women's,
Children's & Family Health. The rest of slide 13 read as
follows:
Highlights
checkbld Healthy Alaskans 2030
checkbld Eliminated age restrictions for services at
Public Health Centers
checkbld Expanded work on addressing the opioid epidemic
including distribution of ~20K naloxone kits
checkbld Fresh Start Campaign
3:38:13 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG picked up the presentation at
slide 14, "Division of Public Assistance," and discussed the
issue of backlog. Slide 14 read as follows:
DPA promotes self sufficiency and provides basic
living expenses to Alaskans in need.
Programs
checkbld 18 Public Assistance programs
checkbld Child Care Assistance & Licensing
Highlights
checkbld Provided public assistance to ~300K Alaskans per
month
checkbld $95.5 million in COVID-19 relief for childcare
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG listed the 18 programs. Within
Food and Public Assistance are the following eight programs:
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-ED);
the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program; the Breastfeeding
and Peer Counseling Program; the Commodities Supplemental Food
Program; the WIC Farmer Market Nutrition Program; the Senior
Farmer Market Nutrition Program; and the Pandemic Electronic
Benefit Transfer (Pandemic EBT). Within Medical Assistance are
the following programs: Medicaid, which resides within
Healthcare Services; and Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance
(CAMI). The next group is Assistance to Seniors and
Disabilities, which contains the Adult Senior Assistance and
Benefits Program. Then there is Heating and Water Assistance,
under which are the following three programs: Heating
Assistance; Water Assistance; and the Alaska Affordable Health
Program. The next group is Assistance for Families with
Dependent Children, including: the Alaska Temporary Assistance
Program (ATAP); and the Childcare Assistance Program. Finally,
there is the General Relief Assistance Program.
3:41:49 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG addressed the issue of the
backlog, which begins on slide 15, which read as follows:
1. IT systems 40-year legacy system
checkbld Eligibility Information System (EIS) was never fully
migrated to ARIES
checkbld Fiscal crisis delayed efforts to modernize systems
2. Pandemic Manual Processing of benefits
checkbld DPA was unable to automate the SNAP Emergency
Allotments (EA), resulted in manually issued benefits
processed by staff for over 2+ year
checkbld The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
benefits issued by DPA on behalf DEED
checkbld When the state public health emergency ended and Food
and Nutrition Service (FNS) clarified policy,
recertifications restarted for SNAP
3. Cyber Attack in May 2021
checkbld Pivoted existing IT staff to protection of personal
health information, forensic analysis, and recovery
efforts
checkbld The majority of DPA systems were taken down requiring
substantial manual processing
checkbld Planned system changes that would have brought online
forms and other improvements were further delayed
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG explained that the image on slide
16 is a COBOL stream showing what the eligibility information
systems looks like. She then moved to slide 17, "Public
Assistance Backlog: IT Systems," which read as follows:
checkbld Most eligibility staff will need to access up to 9 systems:
Eligibility Information System (EIS), Alaska's Resource for
Integrated Eligibility Services (ARIES), Energy Community
Online System (ECOS), ILINX Document Management System,
current? Workload Management Tool, WinStar, SAM (DOL
interface), Instant Eligibility Verification System (IEVS),
Genesys Virtual Call Center
checkbld The Department needs more programmers capable of coding in
the Public Assistance mainframe which requires various
outdated programing languages such as COBOL, Natural, and
ADABAS.
checkbld DOH has one IT programmer who can code in COBOL, one of the
languages required to update EIS where SNAP applications
are worked.
3:47:36 PM
MS. RICCI presented slide 18, regarding SNAP and Medicaid
backlog, which read as follows:
checkbld Team focused on oldest SNAP recertifications and
applications first .
checkbld All September recertification benefits were
issued for SNAP.
checkbld Certain Medicaid applications and
recertifications are impacted by the backlog.
These include new applications submitted without
a SNAP application and those stored in the legacy
system.
checkbld Open enrollment period for the Federally
Facilitated Marketplace from October 2022
January 2023 also created a recent influx of
applications.
checkbld Estimate difficult to determine due to lack of
definition in system. Duplicate applications or
those transferred in error all appear as
outstanding.
3:50:37 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG picked back up on slides 19 and
20, regarding the backlog of the Virtual Call Center, and which
read as follows:
VCC went live April 2021
checkbld VCC allows DPA to serve the entire state
equitably, including communities that do not have
in-person lobbies available.
checkbld VCC allows a client to wait anywhere to talk to
an eligibility technician instead of only having
the option to wait in person in a lobby and
perhaps not be seen that day.
checkbld Incoming phone calls are recorded, which allow
for training and ability to review calls if calls
come in from Governor's Constituent Relations or
Legislative offices.
checkbld Lobbies have historically been over crowed (sic)
and at times hostile, creating difficult
situations for vulnerable Alaskans and our DPA
staff members.
High call volume 1,000 to 1,500 calls a day.
checkbld The VCC is temporarily dedicated to gathering
information from each client. They are not
processing applications in real time as of
10/25/2022. This allows more callers to talk to a
live person each day.
checkbld Each Wednesday, the division reassigns staff from
the VCC to process applications. VCC is still
available for emergency access on those days.
checkbld The VCC automatic menu options vary depending on
the amount of staff available to answer the
phone, which can be frustrating to callers.
checkbld We welcome input and suggestions on further
improvements we can make.
3:59:26 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG covered the key points of
addressing the backlog, as shown on slide 19, which read as
follows:
checkbld Pursuing contractors to program EIS
checkbld Pursuing contracting to support the VCC
checkbld Crisis Communication
checkbld Security evaluations and security guards for DPA
lobbies
checkbld Recruiting and onboarding both permanent
eligibility technicians and long term non-
permanent positions
4:00:46 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG moved on to slide 22, "Suggestions
from Partners," which read as follows:
1. Lengthen certification periods
2. Waive unnecessary interviews
3. Streamline the review of housing, utilities, and
dependent care costs
4. Implement broad-based categorical eligibility
5. Extend one month of SNAP benefits for all who are
delayed because of agency fault
6. Establish a cost effectiveness threshold and
compromise overpayment claims
7. Recruit and train more fee agents
8. Improve website capacity.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG noted the current certification
period for SNAP is six months, and the plan is to extend that to
12 months. The department agrees with suggestions two and
three, and will review suggestion four. Regarding suggestion
five, she said the department does not have the mechanism to be
able to add a month automatically. The department will review
its options under the federal program rules in consideration of
suggestion six. It agrees with suggestion seven but has some
restrictions. Finally, the division has improved aspects of its
website capacity, with security in mind.
4:05:55 PM
MS. RICCI addressed slide 23, "Unwinding of Continuous
Enrollment for Medicaid," which read as follows:
checkbld Beginning March 2020, states were required to
maintain eligibility status for Medicaid
beneficiaries
checkbld Starting April 1, Alaska will begin Medicaid
eligibility redeterminations
checkbld Alaska has 12 months to complete redeterminations
for all active Medicaid cases
checkbld Redetermination Plans are submitted to CMS by
February 15th
checkbld DOH will work with stakeholders to maximize
public communication starting in February
MS. RICCI said an omnibus bill passed Congress and clearly
outlined a timeline for ending continuous enrollment for
Medicaid, which is March 31. She spoke about having the systems
in place to manage the redetermination effort. She mentioned
two system names: Alaska's Resource for Integrated Eligibility
Services (ARIES) and the Electronic Information System (EIS).
The latter is problematic for the division currently. She
noted, however, that the majority of Medicaid applications are
stored in ARIES, which is newer and has support available. She
talked about efforts to inform Alaskans as to what to expect and
to ensure that people are covered. She pointed out that while
the redeterminations will begin April 1, resulting disenrollment
from the Medicaid program will begin to occur May 31 60 days
later.
4:14:12 PM
JOSEPHINE "JOSIE" STERN, Assistant Commissioner, Finance
Management Services, Department of Health, offered a brief
account of her work experience, then presented the "Operating
Budget," shown on slide 24. She explained that the slide
reflects a comparison of the FY 22 actuals to the FY 22
management plan, and the proposed FY 24 governor's budget that
was released on 12/15/22. She said slide 24 does not include
departmental support services, Human Services, Community
Matching Grants, and Community Initiative Matching Grants, which
are generally presented as a consolidated item, the reason being
that the change associated with the bifurcation of the former
two departments occurred in departmental support services; this
item was pulled out of the slide because it did not provide "an
accurate apples to apples comparison across fiscal years." She
stated that with the inclusion of departmental support services,
the total operating budget in "FY 2024 governor" is
approximately $3.14 billion." She noted there are 1,453 full-
time positions within DOH, and the majority of the FY 24 budget,
"as well as the Department of Health," resides in Medicaid
Services; the total funds in Medicaid Services is approximately
$2.5 billion.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG stated that that concluded the
presentation.
4:16:29 PM
CHAIR PRAX invited questions from the committee.
4:17:09 PM
MS. RICCI, in response to a request for clarity regarding
Medicaid enrollment and eligibility, emphasized that the goal is
to avoid unintentionally disenrolling anyone from Medicaid. In
response to a follow-up question, she said she thinks every
state is attempting to do as many automatic renewals as
possible. She then confirmed that the division is looking at
whether it can use SNAP eligibility when considering Medicaid
eligibility.
4:21:25 PM
MS. RICCI, in response to a question from Representative Mina
regarding resources available for enrollment following the
predetermination process, said the department wants to leverage
every opportunity, and she advised people to make sure their
information is updated. She added that eligibility technicians
would be available to assist. In response to a follow-up
question, she said there is currently not a way in which to
offer this to be done online. She said the division is
establishing a web page regarding redetermination.
4:25:26 PM
MS. RICCI, in response to Representative Ruffridge, said current
discussion about a communication plan is considering what type
of advertising can be done and what kind of support from
stakeholders can be leveraged. She mentioned that CMS has
provided a toolkit for states to use as needed.
4:28:39 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to a question from Representative Sumner
regarding rates of death [from slide 3], said DOH puts together
an annual death report, which classifies different causes of
death. She talked about the complexity of causes of death and
explained that these reports list the primary cause of death.
She offered to supply the committee with more information on
this subject.
4:31:17 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to Chair Prax, regarding life expectancy
and healthcare costs, said back in about 2018, rural communities
were driving the more expensive per capita costs of healthcare.
She said there are a lot of ways that states pay for healthcare,
and she indicated a trend in focusing more on prevention. That
is particularly challenging in Alaska based on its size. She
talked about working with tribal leaders.
4:34:14 PM
MS. RICCI, in response to a question from Representative Fields
regarding slide 10, gave information regarding the Infant
Learning Program. She said she could follow-up regarding the
number of individuals who participate in the program.
4:36:06 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to a question from Representative Mina
regarding slide 13, spoke about chronic disease and opioid
addiction. Beside the distribution of Naloxone, the department
works with communities and with the Department of Public Safety
(DPS) regarding opioid remediation. She talked about
counterfeit pills mixed with fentanyl and how deadly that is.
She said the department wants youth to know about that danger,
and is working with industry to distribute Naloxone kits. She
offered to provide more information.
4:39:46 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to Representative Ruffridge, talked about
the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMT) and determining
its strengths and weaknesses. She talked about an opioid
dashboard that provides statistics, and understanding data in
order to take action. She said she thinks use of the data will
be beneficial in transforming health systems, and she spoke
about the lack of internet technology (IT) infrastructure being
a huge challenge in Alaska.
4:42:45 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to questions from Representative Mina
regarding slide 6 and the Office of Health Care Savings, said
the department needs personnel to help with this area of health
care savings. She said there has been focus on pharmacy and
Medicaid in terms of seeking savings, and there is more to do,
including reaching out to other divisions. She said the current
budgetary "ask" is "quite small" and spreads across all
divisions. Another consideration is the use of federal grants.
She mentioned a change to emergency billing. She noted the
database is within the Division of Insurance. In response to a
follow-up question, she offered to find the request for
proposals (RFP) from the Health Payment and Utilization Database
(HPUD).
4:46:33 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to a question from Chair Prax regarding
postpartum care and the cost of programs, said Medicaid is
required to cover it for the first 60 days; however, many states
have moved to cover for 360 days. She said that early data out
of California and Texas have shown that [moving to the lengthier
coverage time] has resulted in a decrease in maternal deaths, as
well as an increase in life expectancy for the mother in that
first year. She said it can be difficult to do a cost-benefit
analysis, but there are estimates available from national data
suggesting significant savings.
4:48:47 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG, in response to Representative
Saddler regarding the length of time it will take to update
programming, described different "arcs of effort" necessary.
First, she said, is the move from 6 to 12 months for SNAP
certification. Additional reprogramming needs to happen, and
she offered to bring back that information at a later date.
4:50:33 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG, in response to a question from
Representative Ruffridge regarding slide 17 and error rates,
confirmed there are errors, but she does not know the
percentage.
4:52:02 PM
DR. ZINK, in response to a question from Representative
Ruffridge regarding slides 5 and 6, talked about prevention and
a four-year plan utilizing existing and future plans to create a
healthy Alaska. She noted there is a web site available on this
topic. Regarding the phrase, "payment for prevention," she
spoke about incentives to both providers and patients.
4:55:40 PM
MS. RICCI, in response to a second question from Representative
Ruffridge regarding pharmacies, talked about saving through a
pharmacy program, including rebates for use of certain types of
medications and being more aggressive with outlining medications
that are more economical while offering the same benefit. She
talked about the Office of Health Savings considerations and
"leveraging the volume that Alaska has in its different types of
state programs to purchase or negotiate lower rates for
prescriptions and then make that available to the general
public."
4:57:58 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG, in response to a question from
Representative Mina, said the skill set to work in the
aforementioned virtual call center is minimal because it would
require answering the phone and collecting certain information
and documents; it is "clerical at best." That information is
shared with eligibility technicians. In terms of minimum
qualifications for technicians, she said she would follow up
with information at a later date.
4:59:37 PM
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG, in response to a question from
Representative Ruffridge, said currently the department has a
total of 458 PCNs in the division, and she would follow-up at a
later date to let the committee know how many of those are
eligibility technicians.
5:00:16 PM
CHAIR PRAX asked how to best communicate with the department so
that each committee member can "get up to speed" on this
information.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HEDBERG recommended contacting Courtney
Enright, Legislative Liaison for the Department of Health.
5:01:58 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at [5:02] p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DOH Department Overview - DRP 01.23.2023.pdf |
HHSS 2/2/2023 3:00:00 PM |
Dept. of Health Overview |
| Dept of Health Org Chart.pdf |
HHSS 2/2/2023 3:00:00 PM |
Dept. of Health Org. Chart |