SB 4-SENIOR CARE PROGRAM  2:29:45 PM CHAIR DAVIS announced SB 4 to be up for consideration. SENATOR OLSON, Sponsor of SB 4, said that it would eliminate the Senior Care Program's scheduled sunset date of June 2007, remove the underutilized prescription drug benefit, and increase the monthly financial assistance from $120 to $150. The program is currently needs-based, with applicants' income not exceeding 135 percent of the 2005 federal poverty guidelines. There are 7,000 eligible seniors in the state. He said that the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is in favor of the bill. 2:32:45 PM JANET CLARK, Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Health & Social Services, said that the governor supports SB 4, and is developing new legislation regarding senior assistance. ELLIE FITZJARRALD, Acting Director for the Division of Public Assistance for the Department of Health & Social Services, said that the fiscal note represents an overall net savings, because of the elimination of the prescription drug benefit and the assumption that many seniors will choose the Alaska Longevity Bonus (ALB) rather than the senior care benefit. The overall savings, even with the increase in the monthly payment proposed by the bill, will be $3.9 million in the first year. 2208 seniors received the ALB when it was phased out, and would be likely to choose it over the senior bonus when it is reinstated. 2:36:31 PM SENATOR DYSON asked if the administration would prefer for the bill to not be enacted until the governor's plan has been introduced. MS. FITZJARRALD said that was correct. SENATOR ELTON asked when the governor's bill would appear before the legislature. MS. CLARK said that it was expected any day. SENATOR ELTON asked if the governor's bill allowed the qualifying standard to be self-adjusting. MS. CLARK said that she couldn't say. CHAIR DAVIS asked if the governor would be willing to work with Senator Olson. MS. CLARK said that she would. SB 4 was held in committee.