SB 175-HEALTH CARE SERVICES BY TELEHEALTH  1:41:37 PM CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 175 "An Act relating to telehealth; relating to the practice of medicine; relating to medical assistance coverage for services provided by telehealth; and providing for an effective date." 1:41:42 PM CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony on SB 175. 1:41:58 PM POLLY-BETH ODOM, representing self, Palmer, Alaska, stated that she provides case management services for adults who experience long-term mental illness and traumatic injury in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. She spoke in support of SB 175. She said telehealth provides an alternative to in-person services for people without reliable transportation. She noted that in January 2022, the Mat-Su Valley experienced a devastating windstorm that caused her to close her brick-and-mortar business [Daybreak]. She had to turn to telehealth to provide continued services quickly. She was able to help people connect to their behavioral health providers. She offered her view that telehealth is an essential tool in behavioral health. She urged members to support SB 175. 1:43:25 PM SENATOR BEGICH thanked his high school classmate for coming to Juneau to testify. 1:43:55 PM JON ZESEDA, Policy Integration Director, Alaska Primary Care Association, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that Alaska Community Health Centers asked him to convey their support for SB 175. The vast majority of health centers operate using a team care model, where the provider, nurse, care coordinator, lab, and pharmacy can be involved in a telehealth visit. He related that they had used chronic disease telehealth calls as a gateway for strongly encouraging patients to come to the clinic to follow up on labs and other services. He offered support for the range of modalities that include audio only and the flexibility to introduce future modalities. Patients who currently experience a lack of bandwidth and other challenges have grown accustomed to accessing care over the phone. MR. ZESEDA stated that many Alaskans had used telehealth during the pandemic, especially receiving care from home when necessary. He strongly encouraged members to pass SB 175. 1:45:35 PM SENATOR REINBOLD stated that she doesn't want Alaskan physicians undermined. 1:45:59 PM MR. ZESEDA responded that the vast majority of providers in Alaska provide services at federally-qualified Community Health Centers, providing primary care services in the communities they serve. He explained that APCA was primarily focused on pain, parity, telehealth modalities, and patients and on providers' ability to work flexibly and not just within the clinic building. 1:46:53 PM SENATOR REINBOLD asked for the name of the movement. MR. ZESEDA answered that Community Health Centers are federally- qualified health centers in Alaska. CHAIR WILSON asked how many Community Health Centers were in Alaska. JON ZESEDA answered that 29 organizations operate 220 sites across the state. SENATOR REINBOLD asked for a list of the sites. 1:47:51 PM JESSICA ESTES, Member, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) Alliance, Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 175. She stated that she is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She said that her current role is serving as the Chief Nursing Officer at Alaska Behavioral Health, [formerly Anchorage Community Mental Health Services]. She related that telehealth presents an opportunity for providers to maintain continuity of care. She highlighted that SB 175 would allow APRNs to serve clients no matter where they reside in Alaska and for patients with limited ability to come to the clinic. She emphasized the importance of telehealth for those in hospice or seeking mental health services. 1:49:23 PM CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony on HB 175. 1:49:24 PM At ease 1:50:47 PM CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and held SB 175 in committee.