Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/18/1994 01:35 PM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
February 18, 1994
1:35 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Steve Rieger, Chairman
Senator Loren Leman
Senator Jim Duncan
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Judy Salo
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bert Sharp, Vice-Chairman
Senator Mike Miller
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 270
"An Act creating the Alaska Health Commission; relating to the
delivery, quality, access, and financing of health care; relating
to review and approval of rates and charges of health insurers;
relating to certain civil actions against health care providers and
health insurers; repealing Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 72.1; and
providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 284
"An Act establishing the Alaska Health Insurance Corporation and
requiring licensed health care providers to comply with certain
statutes and regulations relating to the corporation; relating to
disability insurance claims processing and to approval of rates for
disability insurance, including health insurance; and providing for
an effective date."
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 284 - See Health, Education & Social Services minutes dated
2/14/94.
SB 270 - See Health, Education & Social Services minutes dated
2/9/94.
WITNESS REGISTER
Oliver Korshin
1200 Airport Heights, #310
Anchorage, AK 99508
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Nancy Cornwell
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 284.
Steve Conn, Executive Director
Alaska Public Interest Research Group
P.O. Box 101093
Anchorage, AK 99508
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Sally Schliesmann
2600 Denali, Suite 701
Anchorage, AK 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Thelma Langdon, Chairman
Health Committee
Older Persons Action Group
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284 in general.
Ron Mangelsdorf
Christian Science
P.O. Box 873452
Wasilla, AK 99687
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284 with more work.
Alice Holinger
AK Physical Therapy Association
3761 Palmdale,
Wasilla, AK 99645
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284 in general.
Vera Gazaway, Executive Director
Older Persons Group
325 E 3rd
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284 in general.
Marie Darlin, President
National Association of Retired Federal Employees For Alaska
P.O. Box 21283
Juneau, AK 99802
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
James Fisher
633 Harris St.
Juneau, AK 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Wally Klingelhut
Ketchikan, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Marge Elliot
1831 Tongass
Ketchikan, AK 99901
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Janet Oates
Providence Hospital Employee
9291 Hiland Road
Eagle River, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Urged compromise of SB 284 and SB 270.
Daryl Nelson
Eagle River, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Related relevant experiences.
Bonnie Nelson
Eagle River, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284 and SB 270.
John Hanchett
P.O. Box 10041
Fairbanks, AK 99710
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 284 and SB 270.
David Busey
801 Lincoln
Sitka, AK 99835
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284.
Mike Lockwood
250 Hospital PL
Soldotna, AK 99669
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Barbara Wong
Souther AK Life Underwriters,
National Association of Underwriters
10411 Lone Tree Drive
Anchorage, AK 99516
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284.
Ed Burgan
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
9960 Lone Tree Drive
Anchorage, AK 99516
POSITION STATEMENT: Read the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's
Resolution on Health Care Reform.
Ken Taylor, Executive Director
Anchorage Community Mental Health Services
4020 Folker Street
Anchorage, AK 99508
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284.
Vernon Marshall
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
H. P. Gazaway
1521 W 14th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Encouraged formation of an Alaskan plan.
Joe Sonneman
324 Willoughby
Juneau, AK 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284 and SB 270.
Ruth Callen
Chugiak Senior Center Resident
Eagle River, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Noted the need for universal coverage.
Jessie Yearsley
Chugiak Senior Center Resident
Eagle River, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported Ms. Callen's position.
Ron Zoble
3431 Iliamna
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284.
Majorie Linder
P.O. Box 230039
Anchorage, AK 99523
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed health care crisis.
Dennis DeGross
AK Public Health Association
2348 Leander Circle
Anchorage, AK 99515
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284 and SB 270.
Mary Ellen Gordian, Physician
Anchorage Public Health Officer
9616 Newhaven
Anchorage, AK 99507
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284 and SB 270.
Mano Frey, Executive President
AK AFL-CIO
2501 Commercial Drive
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
Kay Lehdenperen
Public Health Nurse
P. O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284 and SB 270.
Charles McKee
1508 W 43rd NO. 7
Anchorage, AK 99504
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 270, reviewed SB 284.
Barbara Huff Tucknass
Teamsters Local 959,
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Member
P.O. Box 102092
Anchorage, AK 99510
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 284.
David Alexander
Anchorage Pediatrician
9601 Prospect Drive
Anchorage, AK 99516
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284 and SB 270.
Helen Beirne, Health Officer
Health & Human Services, Municipality of Anchorage
P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 284.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 94-10, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN RIEGER called the Senate Health, Education and Social
Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:35 p.m and announced SB 284 4
(COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE ACT and SB 270 (COMPREHENSIVE
HEALTH CARE) to be up for consideration.
OLIVER KORSHIN, Alaska State Medical Association, testified on
behalf of SB 284. He said it was coherent and internally
consistent. It utilized an unusual market based single payer
approach to achieve universal coverage for Alaskans. It assures
high quality of services. He believed that a single payer system
is the only one suited to Alaska's unusual patterns of seasonal and
part time employment. He believed that the market based features
of this bill, such as the posting and publication of provider fees,
significant patient co-payments, and controlled utilization of cost
and volume by Alaska providers gives this plan a good chance of
succeeding.
Mr. Korshin said a very similar program exists in the state of
Maine which seems to be working. He said the concept of public
ownership is why a government sponsored health care program may
work well in Alaska. He said that the Anchorage Medical Society
voted by a margin of 2 to 1 to support this bill.
Number 141
SENATOR LEMAN asked if Alaska does this ahead of the rest of the
United States, would others move here to take advantage of the
program. MR. KORSHIN answered that his question depended on the
failure of the other states or the federal government to enact
universal coverage. Alaska is still a cold and distant place and
there is also residency language in the bill.
Number 166
SENATOR SALO asked what residency requirements were in Hawaii for
participation in the program. MR. KORSHIN said he wasn't familiar
with residency requirements in Hawaii. She asked what our
requirements were.
NANCY CORNWELL, assisted in the work group that wrote the
legislation, said that a definition of "residency" would be in the
section on definitions. She said it is not as stringent as the one
required by the Permanent Fund Board, but more restrictive than
what is required by Medicaid. SENATOR DUNCAN said the answer to
that question is on page 11, section 21.58.140 where there is
direction to the corporation as to when the person would become
eligible.
STEVE CONN, Executive Director, Alaska Public Interest Research
Group, deferred much of the detailed testimony to Bonnie Nelson who
focused on consumer's rights within health care reforms. He said
there are people who desperately need health care and don't want to
become welfare recipients. He said quality health care is an
inalienable right of all Alaskans.
Mr. Conn said that study after study shows that the single payer
system (in SB 284) is the cost efficient way to go. They also
support the idea of cost control. Consumers need SB 284, although
it needs more work. They have real problems with the absence of
direct consumer control.
Number 279
SALLY SCHLIESMANN, licensed psychologist and President, Alaska
Psychological Association, said she was here today to support
putting psychological services into state health care reform. She
supported SB 284, but her comments apply to any health care bill
being reviewed. She said that many people drop out of therapy due
to financial struggles. Mental health is an essential component of
total health care.
THELMA LANGDON, Older Persons Action Group, provided the Committee
with a copy of their position paper. She said that overall SB 284
looked good. The findings and purpose of the act are well stated.
She supported community and home based service to be available to
keep people in their homes and out of institutions as long as
possible. She asked how would Medicaid fit into a state plan.
Number 380
RON MANGELSDORF, Christian Science Church, suggested an amendment
to SB 284 which would expand the definition of health care provider
to include the term "sanitorium" as it is included in the
definition of hospital in the federal Medicare law. This includes
Christian Science Sanitoriums and their doctors.
ALICE HOLINGER, Alaska Physical Therapy Association, recognized the
need for health care reform. There are many people who have no
coverage, or not enough and people with pre-existing conditions.
She listed prevention, intervention, industrial health,
osteoporosis, and arthritis intervention programs aimed at
decreasing follow up in the elderly, cardiac and pulmonary
rehabilitative programs, and prenatal and postnatal programs are
some of the critical areas. She emphasized that the economies of
a small businesses should not be overburdened with the cost of
health care. Ms. Holinger said the Physical Therapy Association,
in general, supports SB 284.
Number 445
VERA GAZAWAY, Executive Director, Older Persons Action Group,
endorsed Thelma Langdon's testimony. She was pleased that public
health service has been threaded throughout. This is a very
important part of a universal health care system. She said SB 284
incorporated the kind of care needed for the well to keep them well
while still caring for the ill. She said they would put their
questions in writing and address them at a later date.
SENATOR DUNCAN commented that the need for some long term care plan
with some deadlines was mentioned by a number of people. He said
the legislature does require that it be designed and be in place by
January 1, 1997.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if her membership planned to take a position on
health care reform? MS. GAZAWAY said they endorse it
wholeheartedly.
MARIE DARLIN, State President, National Association of Retired
Federal Employees for Alaska, said she is concerned that Alaska
will not have a plan by January 1, 1998 when the federal employee
health benefits plan is supposed to end. They, therefore, urged
the legislature to act on this bill, because it is the beginning of
what will definitely be needed. One of the recommendations they
have is to provide long term care and health care facilities
planning to meet current and future needs. More community and
health services should be provided to allow retirees to remain in
their home as long as possible.
Number 513
JAMES FISHER, Juneau resident, said it is important for the
maintenance of a rural community system to start on something of
the type that is outlined in SB 284. It's a good start. He
urgently recommended speedy action. He thought 4 referrals were
excessive considering the many, many years that have gone into the
study of this legislation.
WALLY KLINGELHUT, Ketchikan, endorsed SB 284. He said his wife is
diabetic, he is unemployed, and on COBRA. The bill is $470 per
month. Unemployment does not pay that much to keep the coverage.
He thought of starting a small business, but even the small
business association will not take diabetics. He said this bill is
a good start.
MARG ELLIOT, Ketchikan, said her husband is uninsurable because of
his health problems. She is in the insurance industry and said
many people can't afford the coverage and they go without. She
suggested setting up coverage in Alaska so that one didn't have to
go south for something worse than a hangnail.
Number 579
JANET OATES, Eagle River, works at Providence Hospital. She said
she sat in on most of the compromise work group discussions. She
said they supported SB 284. Their concern is with the limited
scope of SB 270. She thought a compromise could be worked out
between SB 270 and SB 284. She said the single payer system was a
dramatic move, but most agree it makes the best sense for Alaska.
TAPE 94-10, SIDE B
Number 588
MS. OATES emphasized the urgency to act. She explained the vicious
cycle of health care. She stated that SB 284 could serve as a
catalyst toward the development of a unique health system in the
entire country. She acknowledged the need to have consumer input
when the benefit package is developed. She urged beginning soon
with the framework that SB 284 sets up.
DARYL NELSON, disabled citizen, expressed the need to have choices
for consumers. He related some of his own experiences with the
health care system and health insurance.
BONNIE NELSON, consumer advocate, stated that the committee could
refer to her position paper. She noted that Commissioner Usera had
mentioned that the Governor and his Administration believed that
quality and affordable health care was an inalienable right;
however, she did not find such sentiment in SB 270. She expressed
the need for a benefit package.
Ms. Nelson was concerned with the pre-existing condition clause due
to the discrimination and inequality it creates. She noted that
New York was the only state that had abolished the pre-existing
condition clause. She related her personal situation when
explaining that employers should not be punished if they hire
someone with a pre-existing condition or a disabled individual.
Ms. Nelson pointed out that consumer involvement should be utilized
in whatever infrastructure. She asserted that whichever bill
passes should realize and encourage having individuals with good
mediation skills. She stated that everyone will have to sacrifice
and pay. She explained different cost control methods that she
believed were unfair to the people whom health care reform is
attempting to address. She suggested having a comprehensive
package like Governor Hickel's $5 payment. She discussed the need
for price control, but not to cap control or limit services. She
asserted that what is best for the consumer should be done.
Number 468
JOHN HANCHETT, insurance agent, opposed both SB 270 and SB 284. He
explained that cost factors need to be addressed before setting up
a state entity. He does not see how the cost of health care
insurance can be decreased when including every needed area and
uninsurables.
SENATOR ELLIS asked for which insurance companies Mr. Hanchett
writes policies. JOHN HANCHETT stated that he was an independent
agent in Fairbanks working with Blue Cross of Washington, Alaska
Principle Mutual, Golden Rule, Washington National, and various
smaller companies.
DAVID BUSEY, private citizen and consumer, testifying from Sitka
stated that SB 284 is a good bill. He commended the required
public involvement process of SB 284. He explained that the
corporation was a good foundation representing all Alaskans while
being somewhat removed from the political arena. He recommended
that the terms be extended to seven years rather than four years.
He noted that removal from the corporation should be difficult and
with proven reasons. Removal should be in the same manner as the
appointment to the corporation, by action of the Governor and the
legislature. He expressed the need to have compromise seeking
individuals, not political right thinkers as members of the
corporation. He stated that the Tort Reform must occur
concurrently with this legislation so that the insurers and
providers can be protected as well.
MIKE LOCKWOOD, Executive Director of Central Peninsula General
Hospital, member of the work group and Co-Chair of the Physician
Hospital, supported SB 284. He agreed with the comments of Dr.
Korshin and Janet Oates. Originally he opposed the single payer
system; however, after being involved in the health reform process
he now believes that the market based single payer system is the
only system appropriate for Alaska. SB 284 will decrease
administrative costs and unnecessary utilization while increasing
access to sick care, preventive care, and public health services.
SENATOR SALO thanked Mr. Lockwood for his work on the health reform
and enlightenment on the single payer system.
Number 354
BARBARA WONG, health insurance agent, member of the Southern Alaska
Life Underwriters and National Association of Underwriters, stated
that she would address SB 284. She questioned if there is research
proving people are not receiving care. She pointed out that there
is a significant difference between care and coverage and should be
addressed. She expressed concern that the solution is greater than
the problem. She did acknowledge that there is a problem with
coverage for a portion of the population. She questioned whether
the Alaska Health Insurance Corporation would be able to provide
coverage at a more reasonable price.
Ms. Wong expressed concerns with SB 284: It does not offer a plan
or an estimate for funding the insurance corporation, and the
corporation does not require anything beyond public opinion input
with the Governor appointed and Legislature approved members. She
noted that the individual risk pool without application of the pre-
existing condition clause is now in place and available to Alaskans
denied insurance coverage. She stated that in her opinion, the
rates of the pool are reasonable. She pointed out that the Small
Reform and Reinsurance Program should allow guarantee issue and
coverage for employees of small corporations without application of
the pre-existing condition clause. Those rates appear reasonable.
She suggested reviewing how those systems may work before revamping
the system to a single payer system. She stated that the terms
market based and single payer are a conflict in terms. She did not
understand where the market base would be in a single payer system.
She suggested considering the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Resolution on Health Care Reform before passing this bill.
SENATOR DUNCAN stated that one of the basic principles of SB 284
was universal coverage not just universal access. He agreed with
Ms. Wong's assessment that access is available to everyone at some
point. He explained that the level of access is the problem.
Those who do not have insurance coverage have access; but at the
most expensive level, the critical care level. He noted that often
the results are uncompensated care which creates cost shifting
which in turn results in higher costs to those who are insured and
increases the number of uninsured people. It is a vicious cycle.
Only through the universal coverage of SB 284 does the inflationary
spiral and the vicious cycle end.
BARBARA WONG stated that now and under SB 284 everyone is paying
for the care, so it does not seem to be less. She reiterated that
the solution is greater than the problem.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if Ms. Wong had read the final report of the
Health Resources and Access Task Force. MS. WONG said she had read
SB 284. SENATOR ELLIS encouraged Ms. Wong and others involved in
this debate to review the Health Resources and Access Task Force
which includes the number of uninsured Alaskans.
Number 239
ED BURGAN, representing the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, read the
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's Resolution on Health Care Reform.
The Resolution listed thirteen items that they urged the
Legislators and the Governor to address. The Resolution also
stated that town meetings should be held on any proposed changes
before voting on reform. The final statement of the Resolution
acknowledged the need to review and make some changes with the
health care system, but it discouraged tearing it down.
SENATOR DUNCAN asked if the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce supported
universal coverage. MR. BURGAN said yes. SENATOR DUNCAN asked if
businesses in Anchorage have seen increases in premiums over the
years or a decline in the benefits the businesses can offer. MR.
BURGAN said yes. SENATOR DUNCAN asked if health care costs were a
major portion, an increasing portion, of the businesses' budgets.
MR. BURGAN stated that health care costs are a big cost, but it is
not a major cost.
KEN TAYLOR, Executive Director of Anchorage Community Mental Health
Services, stated that the business operation has seen approximately
a 30 percent increase in health costs annually. He referred to an
article on the editorial page of the Anchorage Times. He gave
statistics that pointed out that the poor in Alaska are not covered
by Medicaid. He asserted that whether one believes there is a
health care crisis or not depends on the situation; are you in the
health system or not. He agreed that Alaska has a very high
quality health care system; however, he believed that if one is not
in the system, individuals without money or resources, there is no
access for these people.
Mr. Taylor referred to Elizabeth McNeil's article in the Metro. He He
urged doing effective mental health treatment with respect to
offsets. He stated that the Anchorage Community Mental Health
governing board and management supported universal coverage and
inclusion of behavioral health in that coverage. Furthermore, he
supported certain facets of SB 284. He stated that they opposed
the lack of attention to mental health.
Number 064
VERNON MARSHALL said that Alaskans will benefit by establishing a
universal health care plan prior to the adoption of a national
plan. He pointed out that the National Education Association of
Alaska (NEA-AK) is committed to a comprehensive health care single
payer system guaranteeing universal access regardless of pre-
existing conditions or economic circumstances. He explained that
the plan needed to address problems unique to Alaska, such as
health care delivery systems, transportation, and provider
incentives to locate in areas not served or under served. He
stated that any plan should support and include collective
bargaining, simplification of forms, and reducing unnecessary
paperwork. He also noted that controlling health care costs
through reduction of administrative costs and increased budget
discipline on health care providers and insurance companies should
be included in any plan. The plan must also contain preventive
care. He noted that in order to achieve the National Education's
Goal that all children will start school ready to learn, health
care must be universally available. NEA-AK supports SB 284.
TAPE 94-11, SIDE A
Number 002
H. P. GAZAWAY stated that Alaska has the most costly and the
poorest coverage of health insurance of any other nation. He
encouraged forming an Alaskan plan because if another plan passes
it will not fit the needs of Alaska.
JOE SONNEMAN, a Doctor of Government and lawyer, informed the
committee that he had campaigned for a single payer Canadian style
system in the 1992 Senate race. He explained that the Canadian
style system allows the individual to choose their own physician.
The physicians remain in private practice, but are paid government
rates negotiated between the government and the medical societies.
The government pays the physicians from a combination of federal
and provincial, state, income and other taxes. He noted that this
system leads to early treatments because individuals are willing to
go to physicians since they do not pay directly. This system also
leads to a more caring attitude of health care providers who are no
longer concerned with making personal fortunes.
Mr. Sonneman noted that both SB 284 and SB 270 set up some sort of
entity and as previous hearings have expressed they partially
intend to avoid government; the avoidance of government would be a
serious mistake. He explained Alaska's history of public control
over governmental functions. Both bills try to avoid this public
control which would be a serious flaw. He noted that problems in
our current system are present in SB 284: maintaining control by
the providers and maintaining a market based system. He stated
that SB 284 will not fix the current system. He suggested that
income taxes, as in the Canadian system, would be a way of ensuring
that those who are able to pay higher payments will do so.
RUTH CALLEN, resident of Chugiak Senior Center, related her own
experience to illustrate the need for universal coverage.
JESSIE YEARSLEY, resident of Chugiak Senior Center, supported Ms.
Callen's testimony and noted that many residents of the center only
have Medicare and need help.
Number 145
RON ZOBLE, testifying from Anchorage, explained that when he was an
Assistant Attorney General advising the Division of Insurance and
later when he dealt with Insurance and Anti-Trust matters the
crisis in health care insurance system became obvious. He said
that universal coverage was long overdue. He expressed his
surprise that there is no control over health care rates. There
should be some control over these rates. He noted that SB 284 does
include some cost controls. He emphasized that the current system
does not bring security to the individual.
Mr. Zoble stated that there was more bureaucracy in the present
system than could be in the proposed system. He related personal
experiences illustrating the present health care insurance system's
bureaucracy and its cost. He said that the free market does not
work well with health care insurance. There are very few forms of
insurance where true competition occurs in the state of Alaska.
Most often health insurance companies in Alaska are based elsewhere
and they want to insure those who will not get sick. He stated
that self intervention into a pure free market is necessary. He
expressed his disappointment with the pre-existing condition issue
and the fact that other countries offer better health care than the
U.S. even without health insurance. He suggested that the Senate
give universal coverage or repeal their legislative health
coverage. He said that it was time to act.
MARJORIE LINDER pointed out that this health care crisis could
happen to anyone. She related her personal experience with what
she called "gotcha clauses" and suggested changing from premiums
to taxes. She implied that this would alleviate the employers'
budget and therefore, employees should ask for a raise.
Number 266
DENNIS DEGROSS, representing the Alaska Public Health Association,
stated that SB 284 is a much better alternative than SB 270. He
believes that health care in Alaska is at a crisis. He emphasized
that insurance companies are only interested in maintaining the
status quo. He was surprised with the Anchorage Chamber of
Commerce's stance toward health care reform. He explained that
health care must be moved out of the business community due to its
limitations on employers and employees.
MARY ELLEN GORDIAN, Physician and Public Health Officer for the
City of Anchorage, thanked the committee for their time and effort
with the health care. She noted that Ms. Wong had stated the
essence of the problem: people do have access to care but they do
not have coverage. She explained that the current health care
system does not benefit society because it does not make people
productive. She expressed the need to have a system that allows
individuals to receive needed care so that they can be productive
members of society not just living members. She stated that SB 284
is a comprehensive and innovative approach to health care reform.
She pointed out what she felt were important elements of SB 284:
universal coverage, board representing the people, market based
single payer system, and cost containment. She mentioned that
SB 270 seems to lack cost containment.
Number 354
MANO FREY, Executive President of the Alaska AFL-CIO, stated
support for SB 284. He reiterated the belief that there is a
crisis in health care. He opposed waiting for a federal plan to be
imposed upon Alaska. He stated that SB 284 should be used as a
starting point from which a comprehensive package could be
developed. He urged the legislature to approve SB 284.
KAY LEHDENPEREN, a public health nurse, appreciated all the work of
the health reform committee. She noted that SB 284 emphasizes
public health and a consumer partnership which SB 270 does not seem
to address. She commended the senators involved who had shown
vision and care for Alaskans.
CHARLES MCKEE opposed SB 270. He referred to page 17 line 23 of SB
284 as a point of concern. He explained that the insurance
companies do not seem to be interested in public involvement. He
asked if the insurance companies do not want SB 284, how can we
have FDIC. He questioned the guarantee fund of insurance
companies.
Number 468
BARBARA HUFF TUCKNASS, representing the Teamsters Local 959 and
members of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, noted the struggle
through their own health welfare trust with increasing health care
costs. She stated support for comprehensive health care reform and
a market driven single payer system. SB 284 will address current
rising costs and provide needed health care coverage for the
uninsured for which covered individuals pay. She urged passage of
SB 284.
DAVID ALEXANDER, Anchorage pediatrician and Alaska Medical
Association on CHIPRA and member of the joint action health group,
stated that he was pleased with the base SB 284 provides. He
expressed concern with the funding, the benefit package, the Tort
Reform, and specific cost containment issues. He preferred SB 284
over SB 270. He cited the Governor appointed members as the
problem of SB 270 whereas SB 284 identifies members as individuals
interested and experts in the medical field.
Mr. Alexander referred to page 12 line 19 of SB 284 when
recommending changing the language to avoid the trigger word
problem. He suggested using the language on page 10 Section C. of
the February 8, 1994 report of the Health System Reform Work Group.
He expressed concern that the corporation being subject to
appropriation on page 13 line 5 of SB 284 would be a problem. He
stated that the implementation of dates for development of the
uniform claims form could be done quicker than projected. He noted
that there was no implementation date for the benefit package and
recommended providing a date.
HELEN BEIRNE, Director of Health and Human Services for the
Municipality of Anchorage, commented that SB 284 was a good
comprehensive bill. She identified the following as areas that
should be maintained in SB 284: a seven member corporation,
upgrading the data system, comprehensive health care plan,
preventive care, long term care, and good time frames.
Number 562
CHAIRMAN RIEGER noted that SB 284 and SB 270 would be before the
committee again. He thanked everyone for participating in the
teleconference.
There being no further business before the committee, the meeting
was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
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