ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE  March 5, 2024 3:03 p.m. DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Mike Prax, Chair Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair Representative CJ McCormick Representative Dan Saddler Representative Jesse Sumner Representative Zack Fields Representative Genevieve Mina MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present COMMITTEE CALENDAR  PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  WITNESS REGISTER ACTION NARRATIVE 3:03:42 PM CHAIR PRAX called the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Representatives Sumner, Fields, Saddler, Mina, Ruffridge, and Prax were present at the call to order. Representative McCormick arrived as the meeting was in progress. 3:06:24 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the first order of business would be HB 343. 3:07:31 PM }EMILY RICCI* Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health* City & State* { REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER question re the fiscal note RICCI REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER note 3:09:11 PM CHAIR PRAX request of parents }LEAH VAN KIRK* Health Care Policy Advisor, DOH* City & State* { re parent permission. CHAIR PRAX REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE move 343 out of committee no objection so moved out 3:10:27 PM The committee took an at-ease from * to *. 3:13:16 PM 3:13:18 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be hb 344 3:13:52 PM }EMILY RICCI* Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health* City & State* { re Medicaid reform bill allow 1115 demonstration. how can the needs be taken care of within the medicaid. community acute. authority to id and work towards 3:15:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA question about the housing and .. 1115 assists with stable housing ? RICCI - working with national groups to see what we can benefit from that REPRESENTATIVE MINA curious abuot opportunity. Individuals who have worked with re-entry. How does it work for waiver & CMS. RICCI the 1115 is a tool. the existing language in the bill is meant to address the re-entry issue. caveat. may have statutory authority, but budgetary comes from legis REPRESENTATIVE MINA to clarify: what is the difference between re-entry provision and the 3:19:54 PM CHAIR PRAX when might we expect to see the application RICCI first need contractor for the waiver and technical requirements with the feds. anticipate much community and tribal discussion. must be developed with stakeholders CHAIR PRAX will we see funding request next year? RICCI unknown REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE move HB 344 with recs etc and amends CHAIR PRAX moves from committee 3:22:28 PM The committee took an at-ease from * to *. 3:24:54 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be HB 371 }JUSTIN RUFFRIDGE* Alaska State Representative* City & State* { would update older language. more clear and usable. 3:26:48 PM CHAIR PRAX what is the rationale. clarify REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE re who makes the decision and timliness re quarterly meeting agenda CHAIR PRAX do the med review have any REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE bring recs to entities. adjust the way we do things 3:29:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE move REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER object and withdraw CHAIR PRAX seeing no othyer HB 371 moves from committee 3:29:52 PM The committee took an at-ease from * to *. 3:33:24 PM 3:33:27 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the next order of business would be sscr 2 3:34:18 PM invited testimony }HEIDI HEDBERG* Commissioner, Department of Health* City & State* { re EMS advisory board. explained purpose 3:35:57 PM CHAIR PRAX for clarification. currently how are individuals chosen. 3:36:35 PM HEIDI answered CHAIR PRAX asked how and what HEIDI explained who is not represented. CHAIR PRAX changes in regulations? HEIDI answered 3:38:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA question on timeline HEIDI answered re when goes into effect 3:38:53 PM }GENE WISEMAN* Section Chief, Rural Community Health, Department of Health* City & State* { ems is one of his units. highlights the nimbleness and representation. within the department would be able to expand and contract as needed. CHAIR PRAX has there been much public participation in hearings re this EO and accumus. again ref'd back to the 70's and how it was good for the time, but changes are not reflective of todays. CHAIR PRAX still public notificaiton? WISE yes 3:42:16 PM public testimony 3:43:04 PM closed public test CHAIR PRAX explained REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER what if we do not pass sscr REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS answer 3:44:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER what if we do not pass? does it mean REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS we can vote REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER 3:44:41 PM CHAIR PRAX 3:44:58 PM The committee took an at-ease from * to *. 3:45:24 PM CHAIR PRAX hmmm hhss reviewed sscr2 and sends to full to at 3:46:28 PM 3:46:30 PM CHAIR PRAX announced that the final order of business would be HB 196. 3:47:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA reviewed the bill and the goal of the bill. food security. broad base. poverty level. waive. brink of elegibility. 15 letters of support. 3:49:03 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER estimation of number. }KATY GIORGIO* Staff to Rep. Mina* City & State* { ref'd congressional budget office. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER re individuals vs families 3:50:41 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA 3:50:57 PM }DEB ETHERIDGE* Director, Division of Public Assistance* City & State* { responded to REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER reiterated DEB CAN GET REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER how do populations change DEB CAN GET 3:52:24 PM CHAIR PRAX how sudccessful is this DEB answered better results for working toward self-sufficiency. Divisions re TANFF CHAIR PRAX question re TANF and eligibility DEB 5 year and age of child 3:54:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER DEB will get back 3:55:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA followup re efficacy with references. BBCE encourages work. households with high expenses. a single mother of 2 children can lose. the fed rules can be so stringent for SNAP. additional commentary. commentary promoting self-sufficiency. regarding too much savings, and ... other note: working to address food insecurity. This helps fix an administrative ... CHAIR PRAX re report 3:59:33 PM hb 3:59:51 PM public testimony? 4:00:16 PM move 4:00:27 PM back on record 4:00:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE move hb 196 from committee CHAIR PRAX no objections moved out 4:01:19 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the * meeting was adjourned at 4:02.