SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 65(HES) "An Act relating to a new optional group of persons eligible for medical assistance who require treatment for breast or cervical cancer; and providing for an effective date." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Green moved to adopt SCS CS HB 65 (HES) as a working draft. Without objection it was ADOPTED. Senator Green spoke to the Senate Health, Education and Social Services committee substitute, noting the bill had been discussed extensively in that committee. She informed that this legislation is an extension to the Medicaid program. Senator Green pointed out changes made to the original bill, the first being a limitation that no more than $175,800 general funds could be spent in FY 02 on services for eligible persons who have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. She added that no more than $189,500 general funds could be spent for these services in FY 03. She noted these amounts were requested by the Department of Health and Social Services. Senator Green told of the second change made in the committee substitute regarding reporting requirements from the Department of Health and Social Services to the legislature indicating whether environmental, behavioral or genetic factors were associated with the onset of these illnesses. She indicated press releases state that these cancers are "epidemics" in Alaska. She remarked that the intent of this provision is to inform the public of any correlations and tell of actions that could be taken to prevent these illnesses. Senator Green spoke to questions regarding the amount of money allowed for each patient. She shared there has been a discrepancy between the amount allotted per person and the actual expenses for treatment services. She stated the committee substitute stipulates the Department of Health and Social Services provides a breakdown of how much money was spent on each patient. Co-Chair Kelly asked if qualification for Medicaid remains at 250 percent of the poverty level. Senator Green affirmed. AT EASE 1:25 PM / 1:25 PM Senator Leman responded to press reports published in the Anchorage Daily News regarding the hearings held on this bill in the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee. He shared that an article quotes Commissioner Karen Perdue, of the Department of Health and Social Services, as saying "…There's no way in hell that government should be snooping in private matters of women." SFC 01 # 97, Side B 01:25 PM Senator Leman acknowledged that the newspaper did not quote him properly on this matter and that it was therefore possible that the commissioner was misquoted as well. He asserted however that, if accurate, this is an inappropriate statement for a commissioner to make. He said this is especially true because this information must be collected under the federal Medicaid requirements. Senator Leman relayed that in the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee, he asserted, "We're not looking to snoop in the lives of women, but we want to know, if Alaska women are getting breast and cervical cancer at higher rates then the rest of the country; we want to know why and if there are things that we can do to change the environment, change what's happening in Alaska to reduce those chances, then we ought to identify them." Senator Leman assured the study would not be conducted by the legislature but rather by the Department of Health and Social Services would release information generated by the Nation Institute of Cancer and other organizations in the field. Senator Leman commented that the action taken in the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee was intended to be "very positive, constructive; helping women in Alaska" but was interpreted by some and being misrepresented "as something else." Senator Leman stated that, while he is not an expert on medicine or cancer, he does "care about women in Alaska" and the fight against cancer. He shared that he has lost family members to cancer and to breast cancer, which has had a "profound effect" on him and his family. Therefore, he asserted that when "others misrepresent what we're trying to do, it hurts." Senator Leman reiterated that this legislation is "a positive step" and surmised that Alaskans should benefit from it. Senator Green offered a motion to move SCS CS HB 65 (HES) from Committee with accompanying $598,200 fiscal note from the Department of Health and Social Services. The bill MOVED from Committee without objection. AT EASE 1:28 PM / 1:30 PM RECESS TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR 1:30 PM / 9:07 PM