SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act relating to the practice of telemedicine and relating to licenses for out-of-state physicians or podiatrists to practice telemedicine in this state under certain circumstances." 9:15:42 AM Co-Chair Kelly MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee substitute for SB 80, WORK DRAFT 28-LS0615\H Martin 3/18/14 as a working document. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CHRISTINE MARASIGAN, STAFF, SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, addressed the new committee substitute (CS) and related that it dealt with Section 2 of the bill. She noted that there had been groups seeking exemptions from Section 2 of the legislation, most notably of which were the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health and Social Services. She pointed to page 2 of the CS, specifically lines 2 through 10; the exemption about controlled substances specifically stated that the physician must have an established physician/patient relationship and when appropriate, a licensed healthcare provider is present with the patient. Under the legislation, a license healthcare provider included nurses. She related that the only other change in the CS was the addition of language that the emphasis was on resident physicians, meaning that they practiced and were licensed in Alaska; follow up care needed to be available to the patient. She related that the bill also had a zero fiscal note and that it was not anticipated that the note would change as a result of the CS. Co-Chair Meyer observed that the committee liked zero fiscal notes and inquired if the new CS addressed Senator Olson's concerns. Senator Olson replied that it did and other physicians that he had spoken to were much more comfortable with it as well. He applauded the sponsor for working with his staff to make sure that the issues of Rural Alaskan physicians were addressed. Vice-Chair Fairclough wanted to confirm that the CS included nurse practitioners. Ms. Marasigan responded in the affirmative. 9:18:48 AM Co-Chair Meyer inquired if the sponsor had comments on the changes in the CS. SENATOR FRED DYSON, appreciated the work of Co-Chair Meyer's staffer, Ms. Marasigan, on the bill and stated that the sponsor had tried to answer everyone's objections. He addressed Senator Olson and understood that the American Medical Association might send a letter of endorsement to the bill, instead of opposing it. He noted that with the passage of the CS, tribal health centers would be able to be reimbursed for treating non-Alaskan Natives. He observed that everyone appreciated that the tribal health centers served everyone who walked in their doors and offered that the reimbursement would be helpful. 9:20:14 AM Co-Chair Kelly MOVED to REPORT CSSSSB 80(FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSSSB 80(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. 9:20:47 AM AT EASE 9:22:33 AM RECONVENED