HB 269-IMMUNITY FOR VOL. HEALTH CARE PROVIDER                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:31:50 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of HB 269.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STEVE THOMPSON,  Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,                                                               
Alaska,  sponsor  of  HB  269,  explained  that  the  bill  gives                                                               
immunity   to  volunteer   health   care  providers,   especially                                                               
dentists,  who are  planning  to participate  in  the Mission  of                                                               
Mercy.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:32:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR OLSON asked  if other states provide free  health care by                                                               
licensed providers.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  THOMPSON  explained  that the  Mission  of  Mercy                                                               
started about 13 years ago in  one of the southern states and has                                                               
expanded across  the country. This is  the first time it  will be                                                               
held  in  Alaska.  Plans  are  to  do  follow-ups  next  year  in                                                               
Fairbanks  and Anchorage.  Over  200 dentists  are  signed up  to                                                               
participate.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked if there have  been complaints of any kind in                                                               
other states.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON said he has not heard of any complaints.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
JANE PIERSON, Staff, Representative  Steve Thompson, Alaska State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau,  Alaska,  suggested Dr.  Logan  answer  the                                                               
question.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:34:26 PM                                                                                                                    
DR.  DAVID LOGAN,  DDS, Alaska  Dental  Society, Juneau,  Alaska,                                                               
introduced himself.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked if there  have been any complaints that would                                                               
give rise to the need for this immunity.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
DR. LOGAN said there have  been no complaints, just the opposite.                                                               
People  are  grateful for  the  services  and follow-up  care  is                                                               
provided for 30 days.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON  asked if there  has been any morbidity  related to                                                               
double extractions and abscesses.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
DR.  LOGAN said  no.  For  the most  part,  dentists doing  those                                                               
procedures are oral surgeons who manage cases very thoroughly.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR DUNLEAVY opened and closed public testimony.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:37:28 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  STEDMAN moved  to report  CS for  HB 269  from committee                                                               
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR DUNLEAVY  announced that  without objection,  CSHB 269(JUD)                                                               
was  reported  from  the  Senate   Labor  and  Commerce  Standing                                                               
Committee.