Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/03/1999 08:07 AM Senate FIN
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SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
LOGNOTES
March 3, 1999
GENERAL SUBJECT(S): KEY CAMPAIGN
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes and
handouts will be on file with the Senate Finance Committee through the
21st Legislative Session, contact 465-2618. After the 21st
Legislative session they will be available through the Legislative
Library at 465-3808.
Time Meeting Convened: 8:07 AM
Tape(s): SFC-99 # 41, Side A & B
PRESENT:
Senator Parnell
Senator P. Kelly, Chaired
the Meeting
Senator Adams
Senator Wilken
Senator Donley
Senator Green
Senator Leman
NOT PRESENT:
Senator Phillips
Senator Torgerson
ALSO PRESENT:
Senator Kim Elton;
Senator Johnny Ellis;
Representative Tom Brice;
Representative Ben Grussendorf;
Representative Mary Kapsner;
Representative Beth Kertulla;
Representative Fred Dyson
Tape: SFC - 99 #41, Side A 8:07 AM
0
SENATOR PETE KELLY
Introduction.
EMILY ENNIS
From Fairbanks, Member of Key Coalition.
Executive Director, Fairbanks Resource
Agency.
We're here to help you better understand
the needs of the disabled.
Through your decisions, a child with a
disability can get a better start in life
and an adult with a disability can become a
more productive member of society.
Disabled people make up the second largest
minority group in Alaska next to Natives.
This morning 9 people are going to share
with you what it takes to have a normal
life.
Three issues that a disabled person is
faced with: 1) Institutional prevention.
2) The waiting list for infant learning and
services. Today there are 100 people on
that list. Alaska has the 5th longest
waiting list.
We hope you will support HB 72, sponsored
by Rep. Brice that will shorten the waiting
list.
3) Funding for adult preventative dental
care.
For someone with a disability, the keys to
the community are often limited to legal
and constitutional rights.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
201
HOWARD COLBERT
From Sitka. I have two daughters. The
oldest is mentally delayed and has cerebral
palsy.
She deserves the right to live in the
community. Without the support services
she will be unable to do that. While she
is on the waiting list she loses the skills
she has already learned.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
Ask members to hold their questions to the
end for Ms. Ennis.
248
TRACY MANNING
With daughter Kaitlin.
Kaitlin is six years old and has cerebral
palsy. I'm on the Advisory Board for
Catholic Services.
Speak about the waiting list. We were
lucky with Kaitlin. She was diagnosed early
and received treatment early.
If you work with children early you can
keep the costs down in the long run.
Denying the kids early intervention is like
denying someone with an infection treatment
saying they have to get on the waiting
list.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
305
PATRICK CHIKLAK,
JR.
Has a daughter with a disability.
Read letter from the Bristol Bay Learning
Corp. describing their services and
limitations.
They are only able to visit children in
outlying areas once a month. Very limited
staff and resources.
Shows photograph of daughter and describe
her disability.
Show photograph of Dillingham learning
center.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
378
STEVE LESKO
Executive Director, Hope community
Resources.
Despite the perceived economic problems
there is good news. For the past 12 years
the Legislature has supported the Key
Campaign.
We are institution-free.
Alaska is the leader in the US for
community programs.
We need to run like a business and get
lean. We are now anemic. The raise of the
minimum wage affected our programs.
McDonald's pays its employees more than we
can. We cannot keep our work force.
We ask you to say that our kids are your
kids too.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
443
KATHY FITZGERALD
President, Key Coalition.
Child with disabilities.
Talk about the inability to keep staff when
they are only paid $7 an hour.
We have trained many respite care workers
for our daughter. We can't keep them.
It's difficult for our daughter to adjust
to the care worker changes.
We're happy to provide all the economic
needs, but there are some things that we
can't do.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
477
ROGER BROBST
Executive Director, Center for Community in
Sitka.
484
NATHAN KNOWLES
I'm 17 and getting ready to graduate from
high school. I plan to go to college and
eventually have a career.
I'm here to speak about independent
learning. Some day I want to be able to
live on my own.
495
DR. NED MAGEN
Member of Key Campaign, Emergency Room
physician, Father of disabled child.
I am fortunate in that we have insurance.
Most disabled people either have no
insurance or are only covered by Medicare.
Currently there is no dentist in Kenai that
accepts Medicare. Speak to emergency dental
services. Preventative dental care is cost
effective.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
520
LINDA GIANI
My son is 23 and lives alone. He has
severe medical needs.
He has serious dental problems. When he
inhales the bacteria from his mouth it
causes pneumonia. He needs dental cleaning
twice a year at $100 each visit. Or he
must go to the hospital and be treated in
the intensive care unit. The cost is much
higher.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
545
EMILY ENNIS
Reiterate the three key issues.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
SENATOR GARY WILKEN
During 90-96 the waitlist has declined.
I'm surprised to hear you say that the
number had gone from 200 to 1000. What has
changed that?
EMILY ENNIS
The wait list is not just for infant
learning. Also includes other programs.
The health care is better and more children
are living. We are also doing more
outreach and getting more children involved
especially in the rural areas.
SENATOR GARY WILKEN
Most of the services come from the
Department of Health and Social Services
budget? Could you go through and note the
line items that pertain to you so we can
focus on them?
EMILY ENNIS
We will do that.
REPRESENTATIVE BEN
GRUSSENDORF
You said that you are a family. Is this
dental care addressed in the Governor's
proposed budget, or is it a new request
that you are bringing out.
EMILY ENNIS
It was addressed.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
Refer to Ms. Giani's request to put dental
care back in the Medicare budget. What is
the history?
EMILY ENNIS
It was in the budget for preventative care,
but that has been removed.
589
Tape: SFC - 99 #41, Side B 10:21 AM
EMILY ENNIS
Continued.
LINDA GIANI
His cleanings were covered under Medicare
when he was a child. When he turned 21 it
was not longer covered even with a specific
recommendation from his doctor.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
Ask Ms. Giani to come to the table and
restate into the microphone.
LINDA GIANI
Restate.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
So, Medicare has never covered adult
preventative dental care?
EMILY ENNIS
Correct.
BERTHA SCHMOY (PH
SPELLING)
Member of the Key Campaign. I've been taken
off the DD list. Detail her disability.
SENATOR PETE KELLY
Conclusion. Committee will take a break and
then begin hearing supplemental budget
request testimony. [Minutes for that
portion of the meeting are separate.]
Recess 9:01 am.
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
LOG NOTES
03/03/99
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