SENATOR KELLY called  the Senate Labor and  Commerce meeting                 
  to order at 1:38 p.m. and announced SB 173 GROUP HEALTH INS.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  FOR SMALL EMPLOYERS to up for consideration.                                 
                                                                               
  SENATOR SALO asked what rates could be expected.                             
                                                                               
  SENATOR RIEGER said there  was no reason to expect  the cost                 
  for a smaller  employer to be different than the  cost for a                 
  large employer except, maybe for the administrative cost.                    
                                                                               
  Number 84                                                                    
                                                                               
  SENATOR LINCOLN asked why the department is neutral.                         
                                                                               
  KEN  SYKES,  Alaska  Division of  Insurance,  said  they are                 
  neutral  because  they haven't  received direction  from the                 
  Commissioner.  His  Division agrees with all  the amendments                 
  and the function which  the bill serves.   It is a  workable                 
  bill here in Alaska.                                                         
                                                                               
  SENATOR  KELLY asked for a  position paper from the Director                 
  of the Division of  Insurance.  MR. SYKES said  he would get                 
  it to the Committee.                                                         
                                                                               
  Number 101                                                                   
                                                                               
  SENATOR  RIEGER  moved to  pass SB  173 from  Committee with                 
  individual recommendations.  There were no objections and it                 
  was so ordered.                                                              
  SALLY BYRNE, Kodiak,  supported SB 173.   Midwives encourage                 
  family  centered  childbearing   and  are  committed   to  a                 
  philosophy  of  nonintervention  during  birth,  within  the                 
  limits  of  safety.   Poverty  should  not be  a  barrier to                 
  quality health care.