SCR 2-SUPPORT CRISIS CARE & MEDICAID REFORM  4:06:45 PM CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Supporting an all-payer crisis continuum of care and Medicaid reform; and urging the Governor to direct the Department of Health and the division of insurance to develop recommendations for an all- payer model for crisis care. 4:07:17 PM ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State Legislature, offered the sponsor statement for SCR 2 on behalf of the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee. She paraphrased the following statement: [Original punctuation provided.] Crisis Now is a model for behavioral health care that provides a phalanx of services, including a 24/7 crisis call center, crisis stabilization, and more, that prevent crisis from escalating to expensive, potentially harmful emergency room visits. Developed by the Crisis Services Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and first implemented in Arizona, this model is credited with saving millions of dollars in healthcare costs while improving outcomes for patients and communities. Recognizing the model's effectiveness and extraordinary degree of need in our state, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and the State of Alaska partnered in 2020 to implement Crisis Now in Alaska. 4:07:45 PM MS. WIGGIN continued with the sponsor statement for SCR 2: The Alaska State Legislature has made significant progress in improving crisis behavioral health services through the establishment of a statewide crisis continuum of care. A pillar of the Crisis Now model, the 24- hour call line, was launched in July 2022. The long-term sustainability of these essential services, especially the call line, is threatened by funding gaps, administrative barriers, and reliance on short-term grants that limit providers' ability to expand and maintain crisis care. SCR 2 urges the Governor to direct the Department of Health and the Division of Insurance to convene public and private payers, key stakeholders, and legislative leaders to develop recommendations for an all-payer model for crisis care. Alaska must build a sustainable crisis response system that ensures all Alaskans have access to the care they need, when they need it most. 4:08:32 PM CHAIR DUNBAR noted the committee would not hear another resolution. Due to scheduling issues the resolution was not read across the floor. He explained that the resolution before them focuses more on Medicaid but also references Section 1115 Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder waiver, emphasizing that these issues are closely connected. 4:09:07 PM CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on SCR 2. 4:09:56 PM MELANIE SAGANOOK, Licensed Caregiver, Service Employees International Union 775, Unalakleet, Alaska, testified by invitation on SCR 2. [Original punctuation provided.] Testimony of Mayugiaq (Melanie Sagoonick) My name is Mayugiaq, and my government name is Melanie Sagoonick. I am from the Native Village of Unalakleet. My parents are Emily Nanouk and the late Martin Nanouk Sr., and I have been a caregiver all my life. When I was young, I stepped in to help my grandmother after my grandfather passed. Today, I continue that role as a caregiver for my brother, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility. My 83-year-old mother is his primary caregiver, but there are many things she can no longer do. Without my help, or the help of my sister Jeanette, my brother would be forced to leave Unalakleet-his home and community-to receive the care he needs. 4:10:37 PM MS. SAGANOOK continued with her testimony of SCR 2: This is the reality in rural Alaska. When my mother- in-law's dementia advanced, I had no choice but to take her to a facility in Anchorage because there was no care available in her village of Shaktoolik. Right now, in our region-including 15 villages and Nome-there are only 22 certified caregivers. I constantly have to turn people away who qualify for care because I do not have the capacity to take on more clients. There simply aren't enough caregivers. Our people deserve to stay where they belong, in the communities they have called home for generations. But now, proposed Medicaid cuts threaten to take away that choice. Medicaid funds the work of caregivers- especially in rural Alaska, where accessing medical care often requires expensive travel and resources that many families simply do not have. I have spent nearly my entire life in Unalakleet. This is my home. My culture. My family. Those before me, lived here, and we should be able to stay. But without caregivers, without Medicaid, that choice is being taken away. I urge you to fight for Medicaid funding in Alaska. Protect our elders. Protect our families. Protect our way of life. No one should have to leave their home just to receive the care they deserve. Quyaana. Thank you. 4:12:31 PM EVALINE MCNAMEE, Licensed Caregiver, Service Employees International Union 775, Wasilla, Alaska, testified by invitation on SCR 2. [Original punctuation provided.] Testimony Against Medicaid Cuts - Evaline McNamee My name is Evaline McNamee, and I am a proud American. My ancestor was a signer of the Constitution, and I carry that legacy with pride. I work as a caregiver in Wasilla and like so many others in this profession, I have dedicated my life to caring for those in need. My husband, a medically retired veteran, is now bedridden. Another person I care for has a severe neurological condition that causes uncontrollable shaking-she cannot be left alone. Both of them share one overwhelming fear: How will these Medicaid cuts affect me? If these cuts go through, they worry about whether they will still have access to the care they need. Will they be able to afford food? Will they have enough for copays or transportation to Anchorage for medical appointments? And for me, as their caregiver, will I still be able to support my family while doing this work? 4:13:31 PM MS. MCNAMEE continued with her testimony of SCR 2: When caregivers live in fear-of losing hours, of having pay slashed, of missing rent or going hungry-it affects the quality of care we provide. We put everything we have into the well-being of those we serve, but we cannot do that if we are struggling to survive ourselves. No one should have to choose between buying food and paying for medicine, between getting to the right doctor and staying home untreated. This isn't just about numbers on a budget- it's about real people. It's about our elderly, our disabled, our children in need. The fastest-growing segment of our population is those over 55, and the choices made by our Congressional delegation will impact their futures, and ours. When history looks back at this moment, how will you be remembered? Will you be the ones who stood up for the most vulnerable, or the ones who took away their support? I am here to make a difference, and I urge you to do the same. Protect Medicaid 4:14:54 PM CHAIR DUNBAR concluded invited testimony on SCR 2. 4:15:05 PM At ease. 4:15:41 PM CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and held SCR 2 in committee.