03/17/2015 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB29 | |
| SB14 | |
| SB71 | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 17, 2015
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Johnny Ellis
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Pamela Cline - Wasilla
Chuck Collins Jr. - Juneau
Jacob Howdeshell - Soldotna
Linda Hutchings - Soldotna
Rick Traini - Anchorage
Patricia Vollendorf - Anchorage
Lake Williams - Fairbanks
Robert Weel - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED on 3/31/2015
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Andrew Hemenway - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED on 3/31/2015
SENATE BILL NO. 29
"An Act relating to the membership of the State Medical Board."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 14
"An Act relating to the appointment of a mobile intensive care
paramedic to the State Medical Board; relating to medical review
organizations; relating to immunity pertaining to automated
external defibrillators; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 71
"An Act relating to the practice of pharmacy; and relating to
the administration of vaccines and related emergency
medications."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 29
SHORT TITLE: STATE MEDICAL BOARD MEMBERSHIP
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MEYER
01/23/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/23/15 (S) L&C, FIN
03/17/15 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 14
SHORT TITLE: EMERGENCY MED. SERVICES; DEFIBRILLATORS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) COGHILL
01/21/15 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/16/15
01/21/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/15 (S) L&C, JUD, FIN
03/17/15 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 71
SHORT TITLE: VACCINE CERTIFICATION FOR PHARMACISTS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL BY REQUEST
03/11/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/11/15 (S) L&C
03/17/15 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
JORDAN SHILLING, Staff
Senator John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 14 on behalf of the sponsor.
SENATOR JOHN COGHILL
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 14.
THOMAS MEYER, President
Paramedic Association of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 14.
DON HUDSEN, MD.
Anchorage, Alaska,
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 14.
MITCH FLYNN, Fire Chief
Steese Volunteer Fire Department
Fairbanks, Alaska,
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 14.
ROBERT M. VOSTRY, representing himself
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 14.
KATHLEEN MCLERON, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 14.
SARA CHAMBERS, Director
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained that the fiscal notes for SB 14
and SB 71.
JANE CONWAY, Staff
Senator Cathy Giessel
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a sectional analysis for SB 71
CHAD HOPE, Pharmacy Program Manager
Medicaid Assistance Administration
Division of Health Care Services
Department of Health and Social Services
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the fiscal note for SB 71.
SCOTT WATTS, representing himself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as a pharmacist in support of SB
71.
JASON TAPLEY, representing himself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as a pharmacist in support of SB
71.
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, Co-Chair
Alaska Pharmacist Association
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 71.
RYAN RUGGLES, District Pharmacy Manager
Carrs Safeway Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 71.
AMBER BRIGGS representing herself
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as a pharmacist in support of SB
71.
LIS HOUCHEN, Northwest Regional Director
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Olympia, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 71.
ANDREW HEMENWAY, Appointee
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Appeals Commission.
PAMELA CLINE, Appointee
Workers' Compensation Board
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
CHUCK COLLINS JR., Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
JACOB HOWDESHELL, Appointee
Workers' Compensation Board
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
LINDA HUTCHINGS, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
RICK TRAINI, Appointee
Workers' Compensation Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
PATRICIA VOLLENDORF, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
LAKE WILLIAMS, Appointee
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
ROBERT WEEL, Appointee
Workers' Compensation Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Workers'
Compensation Board.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:30:53 PM
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Ellis, Meyer, and Chair Costello. Senators
Stevens and Giessel joined the committee soon thereafter.
SB 29-STATE MEDICAL BOARD MEMBERSHIP
1:32:23 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 29. "An Act
relating to the membership of the State Medical Board."
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, speaking as sponsor, advised that SB 29
adds a mobile intensive care paramedic (MICP) seat to the State
Medical Board. He introduced the bill at the request of a
constituent and afterward became aware of Senator Coghill's SB
14 that is broader in scope. He deferred his bill to Senator
Coghill's more comprehensive legislation.
1:33:19 PM
SENATOR STEVENS joined the committee.
CHAIR COSTELLO held SB 29 in committee.
SB 14-EMERGENCY MED. SERVICES; DEFIBRILLATORS
1:33:42 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 14. "An Act
relating to the appointment of a mobile intensive care paramedic
to the State Medical Board; relating to medical review
organizations; relating to immunity pertaining to automated
external defibrillators; and providing for an effective date."
SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, sponsor of SB 14, stated that this
legislation adds a paramedic to the State Medical Board and
gives emergency medical service (EMS) agencies protections for
peer review activities. He deferred further introduction to his
staff.
1:35:23 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL joined the committee.
JORDAN SHILLING, Staff, Senator John Coghill, stated that SB 14
does three things: 1) it adds a paramedic to the State Medical
Board; 2) it add EMS agencies and fire departments to the peer
review statutes; and 3) it repeals problematic language in AS
09.65.087, the automated external defibrillator statutes.
He reviewed the bill sections and the rationale for the bill. He
explained that the State Medical Board regulates five medical
professions in Alaska - physicians, osteopathic doctors,
physician assistants (PA), podiatrists, and paramedics. The
board has five physician seats, one PA seat, and two public
seats. Paramedics have been regulated by the board for more than
30 years and the sponsor feels that giving this distinctly
different profession a seat is long overdue. Despite the lack of
representation, the board plays a significant role in the lives
of paramedics by disciplining, levying fines, and making final
licensing decisions. Adding an EMS seat will broaden the
perspective of the board and add the expertise of prehospital
medicine. He reported that there are currently 463 active
paramedics in Alaska. These professionals, the State Medical
Board, and the five physicians that sit on the board support the
legislation.
SENATOR COGHILL asked Mr. Shilling to discuss the peer review
process.
MR. SHILLING explained that peer review is a rigorous evaluation
process that healthcare organizations use to monitor and improve
patient care. Hospitals generally have a peer review committee
to look at patient documentation, review reports and give
feedback, all of which is statutorily protected from discovery
in a civil trial. This is an important protection that promotes
honest, candid feedback. All 50 states provide this protection
and many are adding it for EMS agencies because they go through
the same rigorous evaluation process. The sponsor feels EMS
agencies should be extended the same protection as hospitals.
MR. SHILLING read a statement from a national EMS assessment.
For EMS systems to be used to their maximum potential
with respect to performance improvement, peer review
protection is required and should be the goal of every
state.
He highlighted that a group of EMS experts last year recommended
that the legislature provide statutory protection from discovery
for quality improvement activities related to EMS care. The bill
provides this protection in Sections 2-4.
1:41:24 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if paramedics would be in a position to
make a disciplinary licensing decisions about a physician or PA.
MR. SHILLING answered yes.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if paramedics would be comfortable being
in that position.
MR. SHILLING answered yes.
SENATOR COGHILL clarified that the paramedic member would have
one vote, the physicians would have five votes, the PA one vote
and the public member one vote.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if paramedics have been misrepresented or
if disciplinary action has been inappropriate.
1:43:55 PM
MR. SHILLING replied he has anecdotal evidence that not having a
voice has negatively affected the profession and some paramedics
personally.
SENATOR COGHILL added that the unique circumstance of paramedics
isn't addressed to their satisfaction.
1:45:17 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if adding a paramedic to the State Medical
Board follows a national trend.
MR. SHILLING replied he hasn't reviewed what other states have
done, but Alaska is somewhat unique in that EMTs are under the
purview of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS),
whereas paramedics and physicians are under the purview of the
State Medical Board.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the physicians on the board have given
verbal or written support for the legislation.
MR. SHILLING advised that on January 13 the board voted
unanimously to support this concept and wrote a letter to that
effect.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked him to describe the value of making this
change, and if he'd heard any arguments for maintaining the
status quo.
MR. SHILLING said the value is having someone with prehospital
expertise being involved in discussions that regulate their
profession. The sponsor's office has heard mild opposition from
the Alaska State Medical Association, just as they opposed
giving PAs a seat a few years ago. Their suggestion is to
designate one of the public seats as public or paramedic.
CHAIR COSTELLO noted the letter from the Alaska State Medical
Association that was just distributed. She asked the sponsor to
respond to the suggestion Mr. Shilling described.
SENATOR COGHILL said he sees equal value in having people who
are not in the industry on a board and those who are regulated
by the board.
1:50:38 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on SB 14.
1:51:06 PM
THOMAS MEYER, President, Paramedic Association of Alaska, voiced
support for adding a paramedic to the State Medical Board
because they currently do not have representation. The board's
terms of initial licensure requirements, the terms of renewals,
and disciplines are among if not the strictest and most punitive
in the country. Mobil Intensive Care Paramedics (MICPs) permeate
the system in vital areas for emergency care. They are
firefighters responding to medical and fire emergencies; they
provide emergency services in industrial and remote sites; EMT
teachers are almost all paramedics; they are in law enforcement
special operations; SWAT and field officers are often EMTs and
paramedics; para rescuers working for the Air National Guard are
MICPs; the U.S. Coast Guard has MICPs licensed in Alaska; and
air medivac services require an MICP on board.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if he could support the statement that the
State Medical Board is the most punitive in the country.
MR. MEYER replied the national registry of state medical board
actions and fines on these licensees shows that Alaska has been
in the top five most punitive for many years.
1:55:31 PM
DON HUDSEN, MD., Anchorage, Alaska, said he's an ER doctor who
has worked as a medivac in remote areas of Alaska, as a medical
director, and with several paramedic schools. When he served on
the State Medical Board it was disconcerting to see that the
members really didn't know what paramedics did for a living. He
was pleased when he saw the bill come up because he and others
have supported having a paramedic on the board since 1981.
1:57:25 PM
MITCH FLYNN, Fire Chief, Steese Volunteer Fire Department,
Fairbanks, Alaska, stated support for adding a paramedic to the
State Medical Board, but expressed concern that SB 14 doesn't
extend peer review protection to volunteer fire departments.
ROBERT "MEL" VOSTRY, representing himself, Palmer, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 14. He has been a state-licensed
paramedic since 1984 and has been involved with EMS since 1979.
He explained that the first paramedics chose to be under the
purview of the State Medical Board in the hopes of eventually
attaining a professional status. The field of medicine has
evolved in the last 45 years and being a paramedic is no longer
simply serving on an ambulance. They now attend a 1-2 year
university-level accredited program. The State Medical Board is
made up of physicians and most recently a physician assistant,
and those professionals may or may not know anything about what
a paramedic does in the field or their level of education.
MR. VOSTRY said he values the stringent requirements that
paramedics are held to by the Medical Board, but they should
have a voice.
2:04:35 PM
KATHLEEN MCLERON, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 14. She relayed that she is a
licensed physician assistant (PA) and a licensed paramedic. The
State Medical Board regulates the practice of PAs and paramedics
and she was pleased when PAs got representation on the board.
She expressed strong support for giving paramedics similar
representation, describing it as a logical next step for the
State Medical Board.
2:05:58 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO found no further testifiers and closed public
testimony on SB 14. She invited Sara Chambers to explain the
fiscal note.
2:06:42 PM
At ease from 2:06 p.m. to 2:07 p.m.
2:07:43 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Professional Licensing Operations Manager,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
explained that the fiscal note reflects the estimated addition
cost for travel for the State Medical Board. The board is
statutorily required to hold quarterly meetings and has found it
benefits from face-to-face meetings so it travels throughout the
state. Some of the travel is to remote areas to ensure that the
message is clear that the voice in rural Alaska is valued. The
estimate, based on past travel expenses, is $7,000 per person
per year.
SENATOR GIESSEL pointed out that this falls under receipt
services, which means the board pays for it.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked what the fees are for paramedics and
physicians.
MS. CHAMBERS explained that the biannual licensing fee for
paramedics is $50 and physicians pay $300 biannually. Receipt
supported services and any additional costs are borne by
licensees of the board.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the board is operating in the black and
if the fees will change.
MS. CHAMBERS reported that at the end of FY2014, the State
Medical Board had a surplus of over $600,000.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the licensing fees are expected to go
down or remain the same.
MS. CHAMBERS replied they will remain the same this year but may
go up after the next analysis, depending on whether or not fees
from new licensees offset rising costs.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if, in addition to the regularly scheduled
meetings, the board meets on an as-needed basis.
MS. CHAMBERS confirmed that all the boards in the division meet
at the will of the board, while adhering to the Open Meetings
Act. When the board deems it appropriate, a mail balloting
system can be employed.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked about the repeal language in Section 5.
2:11:54 PM
MR. SHILLING explained that it repeals an exception to immunity
related to automatic external defibrillators (AED) if the use of
the device is not preceded by employer-provided training. The
sponsor believes that the use of an AED is straightforward and
has heard that the training requirement tends to inhibit an
employer from having a device on the premises. This concern was
brought forward by the chief of the university fire department
in Fairbanks who had noticed a decrease in the use of AEDs in
public spaces.
CHAIR COSTELLO held SB 14 in committee for further
consideration.
SB 71-VACCINE CERTIFICATION FOR PHARMACISTS
2:14:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 71. "An Act
relating to the practice of pharmacy; and relating to the
administration of vaccines and related emergency medications."
2:14:18 PM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, Sponsor of SB 71 introduced the
legislation paraphrasing the following sponsor statement:
Currently, Alaska pharmacists require oversight by a
medical doctor or nurse practitioner to oversee their
immunization authority. SB 71 will give already-
trained and certified pharmacists authority to
immunize Alaska adults and children without having to
contract with often hard-to-find doctors/nurse
practitioners to oversee their immunization programs.
This bill will particularly help rural pharmacies
increase their reach to populations who often see
their pharmacist more often than a medical
professional. Consumers would enjoy more flexibility
with their schedules and cost savings by being able to
access their local pharmacist for crucial
immunizations.
SB 71 expands authority for Alaska pharmacists to
independently administer all vaccines and would reduce
burdensome collaborative practice agreements. Studies
have shown that states in which pharmacists are
granted broad authority to administer vaccines have
higher immunization rates.
In 2013 Alaskan pharmacists administered over 13,000
flu vaccines and this legislation would significantly
improve access to additional vaccinations and public
health as a result. I ask for your support to expand
the authority of pharmacists to independently
administer vaccinations.
2:17:32 PM
JANE CONWAY, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, provided the
following sectional analysis for SB 71:
Section 1 authorizes the Board of Pharmacy (board) to
establish standards for the independent administration
of vaccines and related emergency medications,
including the completion of training.
Section 2 permits a pharmacist to independently
administer vaccines and related emergency medications
if the pharmacist is in compliance with the board's
standards. Defines "related emergency medication."
Section 3 adds the independent administration of
vaccines and related emergency medications to the
definition of the practice of pharmacy."
SENATOR MEYER asked if other states extend this authority to
pharmacists.
MS. CONWAY answered yes, but she didn't know which states grant
the authority. A study [copy in packets] that Walgreens
conducted concluded that states that offer pharmacists full
immunization privileges have higher vaccination uptick rates
than states with restricted or no authorization.
SENATOR MEYER asked how many states extend this privilege to
pharmacists.
MS. CONWAY said she didn't have that information.
CHAIR COSTELLO suggested she follow up with the information.
2:20:50 PM
SENATOR MEYER asked if Medicaid would pay for a pharmacist to
administer the vaccine.
MS. CONWAY replied the bill received a second fiscal note today
that addresses Medicaid. She deferred further explanation to the
Medicaid representative who was available on line.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what happens to the patient records when a
vaccine is administered by a pharmacist.
MS. CONWAY explained that all immunizations must be reported to
VacTrAK, the State of Alaska Immunization Information System.
SENATOR GIESSEL confirmed that was correct.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if lost vaccination records could be
accessed there.
MS. CONWAY answered yes; each person's individual vaccinations
are recorded.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked for an explanation of the DHSS fiscal note.
2:23:03 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Professional Licensing Operations Manager,
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
explained that the average cost for a typical regulations
program is $2,500 and the fiscal note speaks to that cost.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if it's a request for services application
(RSA) for the Department of Law.
MS. CHAMBERS explained that the RSA covers the cost of the legal
review as well as postage, mailing, and printing of the
regulations that are sent to the licensees for comment.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked for confirmation that there would be no
additional cost if these regulations were coupled with other
regulations the board was already doing.
MS. CHAMBERS agreed that the fiscal note could be lower and have
a lesser impact to licensees if there was an ongoing regulations
project.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Hope to review the DHSS fiscal note,
OMB Component Number: 242.
2:25:27 PM
CHAD HOPE, Pharmacy Program Manager, Medicaid Assistance
Administration, Division of Health Care Services, Department of
Health and Social Services, explained that rule 42 CFR
455.410(b) of the Affordable Care Act requires Medicaid programs
to pay for covered services only when they are ordered,
rendered, or referred by enrolled Medicaid providers.
Pharmacists currently are not individually enrolled by Alaska
Medicaid, just pharmacies. To satisfy the federal requirement
for paying claims from an enrolled ordering provider, individual
pharmacists would need to be enrolled.
DHSS has not estimated any additional costs for the services,
but it has estimated an additional $50,000 to modify the claims
processing system to enroll individual pharmacists.
SENATOR GIESSEL said she wishes there was a way around the cost.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the effective date of the bill needed to
be amended if the claims processing system couldn't enroll
pharmacists before 7/1/2016.
MR. HOPE confirmed that it was extremely unlikely that
pharmacists could be enrolled prior to 7/1/16.
SENATOR MEYER requested additional explanation of the $50,000.
MR. HOPE explained that the $50,000 is the estimated cost to
either enroll a new provider type or add a subtype to the claims
processing system. It is not intended to be used for any
activity outside the enrollment of pharmacists.
MR. MEYER asked if this is a one-time expense.
MR. HOPE answered yes.
2:31:53 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on SB 71.
2:32:25 PM
SCOTT WATTS, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, said he is a
practicing pharmacist testifying in support of SB 71. New
pharmacists are coming out of school having been trained to
administer these vaccines. This will eventually reduce
healthcare costs while retaining the safety and tracking of the
vaccines.
JASON TAPLEY, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, said he is a
pharmacist who is new to Juneau testifying in support of SB 71.
He described working in a retail pharmacy in South Carolina, and
opined that it will be much easier and more cost-effective to
allow pharmacists to independently administer vaccines.
2:36:31 PM
BARRY CHRISTENSEN, Co-Chair Legislative Association, Alaska
Pharmacist Association (APA), said he is a second generation
community pharmacist in Ketchikan testifying in support of SB
71. He described the bill as a win-win-win. It will help
increase access to immunizations; it will help decrease
healthcare costs for employers; and it will help pharmacies
reduce paperwork. With regard to the fiscal note, he opined that
the $50,000 would be returned to the state very quickly.
2:39:43 PM
RYAN RUGGLES, District Pharmacy Manager, Carrs Safeway Alaska,
testified in support of SB 71. Prevention of disease is a
keystone to a healthy society and this one way to help achieve
it. Pharmacy-based immunizations are safe, convenient,
economical, and effective. Safeway has been administering
vaccinations since 2003 and received the American Pharmacists
Association Immunization Champion Award in 2014. Most
pharmacists have taken classes to get their degree regarding
immunizations and most have taken post-graduation continuing
education courses. He discussed the low incidence of flu and
tetanus inoculations among Alaskans and opined that easier and
more consistent access will increase participation.
MR. RUGGLES explained that the current model to give
vaccinations requires a collaborative practice agreement with
the provider, the pharmacist in charge, and the location that's
specified. When the managing pharmacist changes, the ability to
immunize lapses until there is a new collaborative practice
agreement. That can take from three to six months.
Responding to an earlier question about tracking immunizations,
he confirmed that Safeway participates in VacTrAK and provides
notice to whichever physician the patient has specified. He
concluded that the ultimate goal is to keep Alaskans healthy and
this bill moves in that direction.
2:44:32 PM
AMBER BRIGGS representing herself, said she is a hospital
pharmacist from Soldotna testifying in support of SB 71. She
discussed the rigorous training that pharmacists receive in the
administration of vaccines, disease epidemiology, vaccine
characteristics, and related topics. Responding to Senator
Meyer's question, she reported that 16 states currently do not
require a physician protocol prescription to administer a
vaccination.
SENATOR GIESSEL reviewed Ms. Briggs credentials and asked how
many years of schooling it takes to receive a doctor of pharmacy
degree.
MS. BRIGGS replied it takes four years of pharmacy school and
two to four years of undergraduate work.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that is similar to a physician.
MS. BRIGGS agreed.
2:47:30 PM
LIS HOUCHEN, Northwest Regional Director, National Association
of Chain Drug Stores, testified in support of SB 71 to allow
pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer
immunizations. In 2012 only 1.2 percent of Alaskans were
immunized for influenza, giving it the rank of 49th in the
country. She emphasized that removing the collaborative
agreement requirement will streamline the administration of
vaccines.
2:49:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced she would hold SB 71 for further
consideration.
^Confirmation Hearings
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
2:49:23 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the final order of business would be
confirmation hearings. She recognized Mr. Hemenway as an
appointee to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission, and
reviewed the commission's jurisdiction.
ANDREW HEMENWAY, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Appeals
Commission, stated that he is an administrative law judge with
the Office of Administrative Hearings. He has prior experience
with workers' compensation as a staff attorney for the Alaska
Supreme Court and in private practice. He explained that he is
approaching retirement and decided it was a good time to submit
his name for this position. He is doing so with the knowledge
that the commission is looking at making some structural changes
that could include eliminating it altogether and sending the
appeals to the superior court. He offered to answer questions.
CHAIR COSTELLO found no questions and thanked Mr. Hemenway.
Alaska Workers' Compensation Board
CHAIR COSTELLO reviewed the composition of the Workers'
Compensation Board and asked Ms. Cline to tell the committee
about her interest in serving.
2:53:26 PM
PAMELA CLINE, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said she
would like to be reappointed to the board as a representative of
labor. This is an important role to ensure that injured workers
get treated and return to work as soon as possible. In response
to a question from the chair, she stated that she is a business
representative at the IBEW Local 1547. Prior to that she worked
as a certified pharmacy technician and as a representative for
the bargaining unit at MatSu Regional [Medical Center].
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Collins to tell the committee about
himself and his interest in continuing to serving.
2:54:35 PM
CHUCK COLLINS JR., Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation
Board, said he was a business owner for 20 years and now works
for the State of Alaska. He's been involved in many committees
and organizations in Juneau over the years. A previous
administration asked him to serve as an industry representative
and he's found it to be a very rewarding experience. He and the
labor representative in Juneau do the self-insurance overview.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Howdeshell to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in serving.
2:57:53 PM
JACOB HOWDESHELL, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said
he's a union representative of Laborers Local 942 in Fairbanks.
He's been in the industry for about 10 years and wants to serve
on the board to bring as much parity as possible.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Ms. Hutchings to tell the committee about
herself and why she is interested in serving.
2:59:09 PM
LINDA HUTCHINGS, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
said she lives in Soldotna and was first appointed to the board
in 2005. She's been actively involved in worker's compensation
as a business owner for the last 40 years and as an employee
that might be injured. She believes that in the last five to six
years the board has accomplished a lot and she looks forward to
helping continue that trend.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Traini to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in serving.
3:00:26 PM
RICK TRAINI, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said he has
worked for Teamsters Local 959 since 2007. He was first
appointed to the board to fill a partial term in 2010 and was
appointed to a second term in 2012. He would appreciate the
opportunity to serve again. It's an important adjudicative
process that allows injured workers to see labor and industry
lay members from the community and feel that somebody will
listen and they'll get a fair hearing when there's a dispute.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Ms. Vollendorf to tell the committee about
herself and why she is interested in continuing to serve.
3:01:46 PM
PATRICIA VOLLENDORF, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation
Board, said she was a teacher in Anchorage from 1963 until she
retired in 1993. She served on the board from 1993 to 1997 and
from 2004 until the present. She has seen a lot of changes on
the board and most are for the better. She has enjoyed the
service and looks forward to continuing.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Williams to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in continuing to serve.
3:02:32 PM
LAKE WILLIAMS, Appointee, Alaska Workers' Compensation Board,
said this will be his second term on the board. He currently
works as the District 7 Representative for the International
Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 in Fairbanks. He listed
his board memberships and relayed that he has a bachelor's
degree in business administration. He has enjoyed serving on the
board and would like to continue.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Mr. Weel to tell the committee about
himself and why he is interested in continuing to serve.
3:03:57 PM
ROBERT WEEL, Appointee, Workers' Compensation Board, said he's
served as an industry representative since 2006 and feels he has
a good understanding of the hearing process. He would enjoy
serving another term.
SENATOR GIESSEL commented that she finds it interesting that
there is no a limit on the number of terms someone can serve on
the Workers' Compensation Board.
CHAIR COSTELLO agreed that this board has a lot of longevity.
She thanked the nominees and announced she would set the names
aside and report all the nominations from the Senate Labor and
Commerce Standing Committee in one group. [The names were
advanced on 3/31/2015.]
3:06:31 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 3:06 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 29 - Version A.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Request for Hearing SLC.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - Fiscal Note.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - State Med Board Expend. & Rev..pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - State Medical Board Minutes 1.17.13.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 - Support Resolution Paramedic Assoc.of Alaska.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 14 - Version W.PDF |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Hearing Request Memo.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Fiscal Note.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Paramedic Association Resolution.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - NHTSA Report Excerpt.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - NAEMT Position Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Alaska State Medical Board Exp & Rev.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - EMSRDC Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - Dr. Ken Zafren Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - AK Fire Chiefs Resolution.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 14 - ACEMS Letter of Support.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 14 |
| SB 71 - Version W.PDF |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Senate L&C Hearing Request.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Fiscal Note DCCED.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Fiscal Note DHSS.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Briefing Paper - AK Pharmacist Assn.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Suport NACDS.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support - AK Pharmacists Assn.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Brown.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Garrison.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Island Pharmacy.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Letter of Support Ron's Apothecary.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Relevant Article - American Journal of Managed Care.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| SB 71 - Resolution of Support - Board of Pharmacy.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
SB 71 |
| Williams, Lake - Worker's Comp Board.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Appeals - Hemenway #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Allen.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Cline #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Collins #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Howdeshell #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Hutchings #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Traini #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Vollendorf #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Workers' Comp Board - Weel #3.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |
| Worker's Comp Board - Williams #1.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2015 1:30:00 PM |
Worker's Compensation Board and Worker's Compensation Appeals Commission |