Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
03/19/2024 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Banyan Treatment Centers | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 19, 2024
1:08 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Stanley Wright, Chair
Representative Laddie Shaw
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative George Rauscher
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Cliff Groh
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Andrew Gray
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): BANYAN TREATMENT CENTERS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
SAM GARCIA, Community Liaison
Military and Veteran Affairs Business Development
Banyan Treatment Centers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation, titled
"Banyan Treatment Centers."
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:08:16 PM
CHAIR STANLEY WRIGHT called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.
Representatives Shaw, Carpenter, Saddler, Rauscher, and Wright
were present at the call to order. Representative Groh arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
^Presentation(s): Banyan Treatment Centers
PRESENTATION(S): Banyan Treatment Centers
1:08:42 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT announced that the only order of business would be
the presentation on Banyan Treatment Centers
1:09:06 PM
SAM GARCIA, Community Liaison, Military and Veteran Affairs
Business Development, Banyan Treatment Centers, provided a
PowerPoint presentation, titled "Banyan Treatment Centers." He
stated that the presentation would address the importance of
advocating for veterans and active-duty military members. He
shared that his background is in substance abuse counseling and
peer support, and he explained that he is in long-term recovery
from substance abuse.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 2 to explain why people join the army,
which includes service, benefits, and adventure. He added that
often people join the military to move away from a current life
situation, noting that post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can
come from these negative situations in life, not just military
service. He explained that 20 to 25 percent of members
returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq reported
suffering from the disorders listed on slide 3. He discussed
how alcohol and drugs are often used to alleviate the pain from
these disorders, which can then result in a substance abuse
disorder.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 4 and related veteran data on PTSD,
suicide, homelessness, sexual abuse, brain injury, and substance
abuse. He stated that the rate of alcoholism for veterans is
twice that of the general public. He moved to slide 5 to
further detail substance use disorders that veterans face.
1:16:27 PM
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, said using
cannabis either recreationally or for pain does have impacts.
He discussed the stigma associated with drug and alcohol abuse
in communities. He added that for the military the stigma can
be even worse, as it can effect an individual's career. He
stated that he does not have specific data on cannabis usage by
veterans and military members.
1:18:21 PM
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 6 and discussed transitional stress.
He indicated that the chart on slide 7 shows a trajectory of
what individuals may go through when leaving the military. He
noted that there is a critical time for help before individuals
reach crisis mode. He moved to slide 8 and discussed the
challenges around reintegration into the general public,
including alienation and isolation. He explained that addiction
is a disease of isolation, and this is why support groups are
about community. He moved to slide 9 and discussed the data on
whether the military prepares members for the transition to
civilian life. He noted the longer an individual is in the
military the harder the transition may be. He relayed that many
veterans believe their current job does not reflect their
military service, but he argued that these individuals are not
recognizing the skills acquired during their service.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 10 and discussed the "Veterans in
Recovery" program. He moved to slide 11 to provide a timeline
of the Banyan Treatment Centers organization from 2013 to 2023,
and he noted that it spread across the country during this time.
He stated that his goal in the program is to increase the
commitment and services to those who have served the country.
He indicated that Alaska has a support system, but he added that
there could be more for veterans.
1:24:54 PM
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, stated that
Banyan's services has expanded into helping veterans and
military members, but it originally did not start because of
this. He stated that most of the staff at Banyan in Alaska have
served in the military or have a background of being in long-
term recovery. He noted that Banyan opened in Alaska during the
previous year.
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, stated that IOP
means "intensive outpatient." He stated that PHP means "partial
hospitalization."
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, stated that
Banyan opened the clinic in Alaska because individuals in their
home environment would be set up for success. He pointed out
that when an individual is healing at home, the people and
family in the community are healing along with the individual.
He explained that the Wasilla location is quiet with a large
amount of space. He explained that Banyan has flexible housing
for veterans for PHP.
1:30:32 PM
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 12 to discuss Banyan's treatment
center in Wasilla and its services. He said the location is
unique, as it can provide intensive PHP because of the five
buildings on site with separate addresses. He shared that it
also accommodates service animals, as other recovery centers in
Alaska do not. He noted several different recovery pathways
offered, as seen on the slide, and he gave several examples
about recovery.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 13 and slide 14 to further detail the
Veterans in Recovery program. He pointed out multiple features,
including life skills training, supervised outings, access to
exercise equipment, a biofeedback bed, trauma therapy, yoga, and
more. He said that the program works to accommodate whatever an
individual is interested in, and he gave examples.
MR. GARCIA noted the range of treatment modalities provided by
Banyan, as seen on slide 15. He discussed Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing and Accelerated Resolution
Therapy (ART) in more detail, noting that ART can show rapid
results.
1:40:00 PM
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, stated that
health insurance would cover these therapies.
MR. GARCIA noted the list of what Banyan treats, as seen on
slide 16. He noted that the Wasilla facility is primarily for
substance abuse disorders, but a range of treatments are
supported.
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, stated that
knowing the difference between the treatment for PTSD and moral
injury would not be in his scope. He expressed the
understanding that ART would be used as treatment in these
incidences, and he discussed this in more detail.
1:43:14 PM
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 17 and slide 18 to discuss the
programs for families. He stated that as long as the individual
is supportive of having outreach to family, this is provided.
He advised that there are some situations where family
involvement may not be ideal. He stated that Banyan works to
educate families about substance abuse disorders.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 19 to discuss Banyan's clinicians, of
which many have a background in military service. He said that
Banyan is working to bring facilitators trained in ART to
Alaska. He moved to slide 21 to discuss the alumni program. He
shared that as part of his continued recovery he annually goes
to the treatment center he attended. He stated that he does
this for himself and for those currently in the facility, as
this helps show them what is possible. He expressed the
understanding that the alumni program works because it shows
that people can recover.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 23 and discussed Banyan's telehealth
program and the program's features. He stated that this is
helpful for those living in rural areas and for those that may
need a step-down type of program. He said that the step-down
program would provide continuity in care once an individual
leaves the facility.
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 23, which provided charts comparing
the data on the national average success rate and Banyan's
success rate. He expressed the opinion that Banyan's success
rate is higher because it works to maintain contact with
individuals after they leave the facility.
1:50:31 PM
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, expressed
uncertainty on the meaning of "TEDS-D." In response to a
follow-up question, he stated that the chart on the right
represents the successful recovery rate in the overall
population, not just veterans. He continued that veterans at
Banyan stay for six months, but if they need more time, Banyan
will work with them. He responded that three months would be
considered a short-term stay, while six months would be
considered a longer stay.
1:52:15 PM
MR. GARCIA moved to slide 24 which showed a map of Banyan
centers nationally, with each center's focus. He stated that
each center is suited for the need in each area. He stated that
the facility in Alaska is for veterans, active duty, and first
responders. He moved to slide 25 which differentiates veteran
program locations from active-duty program locations. He noted
that Alaska has both. He moved to slide 26 and discussed
Banyan's admissions process. He said its goal is to better
streamline services and improve communications. He stated that
every time Banyan's phone number is called, someone answers.
1:54:49 PM
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question, explained the
color-coded map on slide 25. He noted that Alaska's facility is
for both active-duty service members and veterans.
MR. GARCIA concluded the presentation on slide 27, stating that
at this point Banyan has been successful. He continued that
currently it is working towards creating a detox facility, which
will be a higher level of care. He noted some of the barriers,
which include coverage cuts by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, as
this insurance provides coverage for veterans. He expressed the
understanding that these cuts would prohibit some services from
coming to the state.
1:57:26 PM
MR. GARCIA, in response to a committee question concerning
insurance coverage at Banyan in Wasilla, stated that TRUCARE and
TriWest Healthcare Alliance would both currently cover
everything. He stated that Banyan works with private healthcare
companies, such as Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield. In response
to a follow-up question, he stated that Banyan is in network
with Aetna, and the Veterans Administration (VA) in Alaska has
been supportive, as it provides veterans with health care
benefits. In response to a follow-up question, he stated that
Banyan compliments the VA's services; however, more services are
still needed in the state. He added that Banyan provides
services in-state, as the goal is to keep veterans and active-
duty service members at home.
2:01:01 PM
CHAIR WRIGHT thanked the presenter.
2:01:05 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:01 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 3.19.24 HMLV - Banyan Treatment Centers.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2024 1:00:00 PM |