Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/10/1998 08:00 AM House STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 10, 1998
8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
NYLCare HEARING
TAPES
98-14, SIDES A & B
98-15, SIDE A
CALL TO ORDER
REPRESENTATIVE JEANETTE JAMES, Chair, convened the House State
Affairs Committee meeting at 8:00 a.m.
PRESENT
Committee members present were Representatives James, Berkowitz,
Dyson, Elton, Hodgins and Ivan.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
DAVID FORD, President of NYLCare, presented NYLCare's solutions to
problems mentioned at the State Affairs Committee hearing on
January 22, 1998. He also responded to questions asked by
committee members.
MARTY ROSEN, Senior Vice President of NYLCare, also presented
NYLCare's solutions and other suggestions to alleviate problems.
MICHAEL KIRK, a Juneau retired teacher, testified regarding
numerous problems he has had with NYLCare.
SENATOR LYDA GREEN noted she has had good luck with NYLCare's
coverage, but she would like to see the issue of confidentiality of
records addressed.
DANA GRAMS, a dental consultant, testified, via teleconference from
Anchorage, that NYLCare's responses have been good.
DALE MCKIERNAN testified via teleconference from Fairbanks, saying
a NYLCare branch office is needed in Fairbanks. He also noted
problems he has had obtaining prescriptions in a timely manner.
GERALD BOWEN testified, via teleconference from Kenai, discussing
problems he also had with prescriptions.
ROBERT NESVICK testified, via teleconference from Ketchikan,
regarding numerous and unnecessary duplicate requests from NYLCare
for information.
GALEN PAINE, an attorney with the Public Defender Agency, testified
via teleconference from Sitka regarding many problems he has had
with NYLCare.
KAREN PHARMAY, a pharmacist, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage, regarding her dissatisfaction with NYLCare's policy of
using an out-of-state mail order pharmacy with is owned by NYLCare.
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, a pharmacist and a representative of the Alaska
Pharmaceutical Association, testified, via teleconference from
Ketchikan, concurring with previous testimony as to the
inappropriateness of NYLCare using a pharmacy which it owns.
KATHRYN CALLAHAN of Juneau testified on behalf of Dr. Akiyama
regarding new problems their office has encountered in the last two
weeks since the previous hearing, noting that the state is not
required to follow its own statutory requirements.
ALISON ELGEE, Deputy Commissioner with the Alaska Department of
Administration, explained the differences between the old plan and
NYLCare's coverage, and she answered questions from the committee.
JANET PARKER, Deputy Director of the Alaska Division of Retirement
and Benefits, answered questions from the committee.
Committee members asked both NYLCare and the Department of
Administration for written answers to the many new questions and
concerns raised at today's hearing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A follow-up NYLCare hearing may be held toward the end of the
legislative session, when the House State Affairs Standing
committee has taken care of the bills needing hearings and NYLCare
has had a chance to work on further solutions.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR JAMES adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
NOTE:
The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A
copy of the tapes and log notes may be obtained by contacting the
House Records Office at 130 Seward Street, Suite 211, Juneau,
Alaska 99801-1182, (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the
second session of the Twentieth Alaska State Legislature in the
legislative Reference Library.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|