Legislature(2015 - 2016)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/13/2015 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB82 | |
| HB161 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 161 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 82 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 13, 2015
2:37 p.m.
2:37:47 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair MacKinnon called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 2:37 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair
Senator Pete Kelly, Co-Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Lesil McGuire, Sponsor; Representative Lynn Gattis,
Sponsor.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Dennis Johnson, Executive Director, Alaska Pretrial
Services, Anchorage; Tom Butler, Colonel, Montana Highway
Patrol, Helena, Montana; Millie Ryan, Executive Director,
REACH, Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities,
Juneau; John Cannon, President, Key Coalition of Alaska,
Wasilla; Patrick Reinhart, Executive Director, Governor's
Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Anchorage;
Chad Hope, Pharmacist, Department of Health and Social
Services, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 82 ALCOHOL/SUBST ABUSE PROGRAM MITIGATION
SB 82 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 161(HSS)
MEDICAID: USED DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
CSHB 161(HSS) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 82
"An Act relating to mitigating factors at sentencing."
2:38:38 PM
SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
She explained that mitigation was used for the judge that
would allow the judge to put into consideration. The
program was an evidence-based abstinence program. Their
policy is based on abstinence, continued monitoring,
immediate consequence for violations, personal
responsibility and accountability, data base collection;
communication; monitoring; change of behavior or choices
and immediate sanctions. She stated that SB 82 allows
Judges the ability to consider successful completion of the
program as a mitigating factor at time of sentencing. She
stressed that the prison population in Alaska was growing,
and the state was on track to build a new prison. She
remarked that the legislation may help to reduce the prison
population, and alleviate some sentencing, by encouraging
sobriety.
2:44:30 PM
DENNIS JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA PRETRIAL
SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of the legislation. He remarked that he was part of
the development of the program, and felt that the program
was extremely effective. He had seen the different trials
and tribulations that the individuals had experienced. He
stressed that the program required the participants to
report twice daily, seven days a week. Many of the
participants did not hold drivers licenses. He remarked
that the successful participants were held to a high
standard, and were on a strict schedule. The program was
difficult, but those that graduated from the program were
most likely to succeed.
2:48:25 PM
TOM BUTLER, COLONEL, MONTANA HIGHWAY PATROL, HELENA,
MONTANA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation. He shared that the program was integrated into
Montana's system following the 2012 legislative session. He
shared that there were currently 4,000 participants and
600,000 breath tests. He announced that 99.6 percent of the
breath tests were clean. He shared that there was current
Montana legislation to expand the program. He felt that the
program would be greatly successful.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
SB 82 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 161(HSS)
"An Act relating to the purchase of durable medical
equipment under Medicaid; and providing for an
effective date."
2:50:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, SPONSOR, introduced herself.
She was not aware that there was a committee substitute.
2:51:29 PM
AT EASE
2:51:34 PM
RECONVENED
2:51:43 PM
Representative Gattis stated that she was confused with her
previous statement. She introduced the legislation, and
announced that the idea for the legislation was presented
to her by the Key Coalition. The bill was a cost savings
measure, which allowed the Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS) to purchase used or refurbished durable
medical equipment. Currently, DHSS only purchased new
medical equipment. She explained that durable medical
equipment would include items such as canes, crutches,
wheelchairs, lifts, braces, and many other types of
expensive equipment that can be used multiple times. The
ability to purchase used equipment would provide
substantial savings for Alaska.
2:53:40 PM
MILLIE RYAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REACH, ALASKA ASSOCIATION
ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, JUNEAU (via teleconference),
testified in support of the legislation. She remarked that
the state would save money, but also benefit those
individuals who need safe and durable medical equipment.
She shared an anecdote regarding a person who transitioned
to living on her own, because of the time and expense of
acquiring durable medical equipment from Seattle. Had the
program been available, she would have had a less expensive
and timelier transition.
Senator Dunleavy wondered how the used medical equipment
would be brokered. Ms. Ryan replied that there was a
programs that maintained assistive technology and a loan
closet with clean refurbished equipment.
Senator Dunleavy shared that his wife had a number of
specialized equipment from her knee replacement. He stated
that they did not know where to donate the used equipment.
Ms. Ryan replied that the program would provide information
about donation service locations.
Senator Dunleavy suggested that the doctor may provide
donation recommendations. Ms. Ryan agreed.
2:57:34 PM
JOHN CANNON, PRESIDENT, KEY COALITION OF ALASKA, WASILLA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
He shared that the federal government allowed for the
purchase of used medical equipment, but the state Medicaid
program currently prohibited the purchase of used
equipment. Other states had implemented reused equipment,
and those states had shown proved cost-savings results. He
felt that the language of the legislation should remain
simple, so DHSS could set up the program. He pointed out
that other states had utilized state-owned equipment, with
the condition that the user return the equipment to state
upon completion. He announced that Kansas had one of the
most established durable medical equipment (DME) programs.
He stated that Kansas had cautioned states, because of the
impact on the DME providers. He felt that it was important
to keep healthy partnerships with DME providers. He wanted
to ensure that all partnerships were supportive of the
program to ensure an adequate supply of equipment for all
users. He reiterated his support of the legislation.
3:01:27 PM
PATRICK REINHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON
DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), urged support of the legislation. He
remarked that he had seen a store that provided used and
durable medical equipment, and the price of the equipment
was almost one-third the cost of new equipment. That store
allowed for Medicaid to purchase the equipment for the
patient. He shared that the equipment could be state-owned,
so people would know where to return the equipment. He
shared that many people in the DME stores in the country
had disabilities, so the program could enhance employment
opportunities. He shared that Wisconsin used prison inmates
to perform the refurbishment duties.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried the process of acquiring the
equipment. Representative Gattis replied that the program
allowed for Medicaid to purchase the equipment. She stated
that the State of Alaska may, not "shall", acquire the used
equipment. She stressed that the state could not currently
acquire the used equipment.
3:06:44 PM
Senator Dunleavy surmised that the law allowed for
reimbursements on the used equipment. He would like
clarification on whether it was illegal to use used medical
equipment. Representative Gattis responded that it was
currently against the law to state to use used equipment.
Senator Dunleavy he wondered if it was illegal for
individuals in the state to use used medical equipment.
Representative Gattis replied that it was illegal for the
state Medicaid program to purchase used medical equipment.
Senator Bishop surmised that DHSS was only currently
allowed to purchase new equipment. He wondered if the
legislation allowed for the purchase of approved used
medical equipment. Representative Gattis replied in the
affirmative.
Senator Olson wondered why DHSS was restricted to
purchasing only new equipment. Representative Gattis opined
that there were companies that wanted to continue to sell
the new equipment.
Senator Olson asked if there was opposition to the
legislation. Representative Gattis responded that those
that sell new equipment would be opposed to the
legislation.
Senator Olson wondered if those sellers had expressed a
position on the bill. Representative Gattis replied in the
affirmative.
Vice-Chair Micciche stated that he cosponsored the bill,
because he felt that it was good fiscal reform. He shared
that he knew someone who had an extra specialized
wheelchair, sitting unused in her home. He appreciated the
legislation.
CHAD HOPE, PHARMACIST, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), shared that he
was willing to respond to questions.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered why Alaska did not currently
allow used equipment to be reimbursed under Medicaid. Mr.
Hope replied that there were limited situations that
allowed for item rentals. He did not know the specific
history for the regulations. He shared that the current fee
schedule and coverage regulations were set up to purchase
new equipment, and there was no fee schedule rate or
purchase coverage for used equipment. He shared that Mr.
Reinhart presented the idea in the previous summer. He
stated that DHSS then worked to establish new regulations
and fee schedule to allow for the purchase or rental for
used equipment.
3:11:38 PM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if there was liability to the
state for new versus used equipment. Mr. Hope replied that
there were many operational issues. He shared that the
operational issues would be developed as the program was
implemented. The fee schedule and coverage revision to
allow for the used equipment would require an intervention
by DHSS. He stated that he could not speak to the liability
for the provider of the used equipment.
Representative Gattis announced that the bill allowed for
flexibility regulations to be drafted at a later date. She
stressed that the bill allowed for DHSS to define the
liability.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered if there were any additional
comments regarding liability. Mr. Hope replied that he did
not have any additional comments.
CSHB 161(HSS) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
3:13:35 PM
AT EASE
3:13:46 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon discussed the following day's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
3:14:38 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 3:14 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 161 DHSS Summary and Recommendations.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| HB 161 Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| HB 161 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| HB 161 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| HB 161 Support AK PT Association.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| HB 161 Support Governor's Council on Disabilities.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| HB 161 Support Key Coalition.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
HB 161 |
| SB 82 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 82 |
| SB 82 Supporting Doc_ Presentation 24.7 Sobriety program.ppt |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 82 |
| SB 82 Supporting Doc_WA Program.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 82 |