MINUTES SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE March 1, 2000 8:02 AM TAPES SFC-00 # 41, Side A and B CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Sean Parnell convened the meeting at approximately 8:02 AM. PRESENT Co-Chair John Torgerson, Co-Chair Sean Parnell, Senator Dave Donley, Senator Loren Leman, Senator Randy Phillips, Senator Gary Wilken, Senator Green, Senator P. Kelly, Senator Ellis. Also Attending: REPRESENTATIVE BUNDY, REPRESENTATIVE ELTON, and REPRESENTATIVE BRICE; EMILY ENNIS, Fairbanks; BRIAN BENNETT, Homer; MARLA AND MELONIE ADAMS, Fairbanks; JOSE SILVA, Fairbanks; NED MAGEN, D.O., Soldotna; STEVE LESKO, Anchorage; ERNIE, DEBBIE AND SEAN DUMMANN, Anchorage; SHERRY AND CHRISTINA GALLAGHER, Wasilla; ANNIE AND JONATHAN JOHNSON, Bethel; WAYNE AND TAYLOR GOULD, Anchorage. SUMMARY INFORMATION EMILY ENNIS stated that she was from Fairbanks and that she was a member of the Key Coalition. She noted that this was the thirteenth year of the Key Campaign. She added that over a decade ago, state government made a decision that it would not directly provide services to individuals with disabilities, but would provide funding to nonprofit organizations. She understood this was done for fiscal reasons, as well as to support community life of individuals in need. She added that these goals were served with the closure of Harborview and noted that all services with development disabilities are provided in Alaska's communities. Ms. Ennis stressed that residents of Harborview did receive regular and preventative dental care, but this service is no longer available because thee only dental care available under Medicaid is for emergencies. She added that the closure of Harborview has saved the state millions of dollars. She pointed out that individuals with developmental disabilities make up Alaska's second largest minority group, consisting of 12,000 people. She added that Alaska's senior population is growing three times the rate than any other state in the country, this population consists of 2,500 individuals who need elderly services. She noted that overall, the state has a wait list of approximately 700 to 1,000 individuals who are in need of new services. Ms. Ennis stressed that with the drop of the unemployment rate, the coalition has seen a mass exodus of the work force that supports client services, while fewer workers enter this field. She added that this wage disparity for workers must be addressed, along with comprehensive benefits, in order to attract and keep a competent work force. She pointed out that this would be accomplished by supporting the coalition's DD Institutional Prevention line item in the Governor's budget. She then outlined the issues that would be discussed in the coalition's presentation. BRIAN BENNETT stated that he was a resident of Homer and he spoke about the Infant Learning Program. He referred to his six-year old son, Michael who has a rare form of childhood epilepsy and as a result of thousands of seizures, Michael's development is very delayed. Mr. Bennett attributed Michael's progress to the dedicated therapists, caregivers and teachers at the Homer Infant Learning Program. He noted that agencies such as this one, statewide, provide services at crucial stages of child development from birth to three years old. He stressed the importance of early intervention. He pointed out that staff recruitment and retention has become very difficult in the State of Alaska. Mr. Bennett cited a 1998 study conducted by the governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, which revealed that infant learning professionals earned about $15.00 per hour, while their counterparts in school districts earned about $25.00 per hour. He added that this discrepancy was contributing to a high rate of employee turn over. Mr. Bennett continued that as of December 1, 1999 there were 331 developmentally delayed children in Alaska waiting for Infant Learning Program services. He added that preventative funds were necessary to absorb these children into programs now, so additional monies later will be saved. He urged the Committee to fund the $700,000 requested by the governor for these services. MARLA ADAMS AND MELONIE ADAMS traveled from Fairbanks to testify. Ms. Marla Adams stated that Melonie was 17 years old and that she had dreams for her future. She added that Melonie was Downs Syndrome and noted that she will need extra help to reach these dreams in the future. Ms. Adams outlined the work she has done professionally and voluntarily for Down Syndrome and other special needs individuals. She noted the wait list system statewide that now has 776 individuals on it. Ms. Adams noted how Melonie became a high functioning individual, in part, from the efforts of the Infant Stimulation Program and gave a synopsis of Melonie's future plans once she graduates from high school. Ms. Adams made the point that Melonie will have to be wait-listed for services though, once she graduates. Ms. Adams urged the Committee to support HB 346, also known as the wait-list bill and she asked that they add $1 million dollars into the budget to fund services needed for individuals exiting the educational system as outlined in the Initiative 22. Finally, she asked that the Committee support the Governor's budget of $700,000 for the Infant Stimulation Program. Miss Melonie Adams then read a statement into the record [copy on file.] HOSE SILVA from Fairbanks came forward to testify through an interpreter. He noted that deaf citizens, natives in particular, have many barriers because of a lack of communication accessibility. He added that there was not enough support for deaf people in villages, along with a high rate of drug and alcohol abuse, which further exacerbates the situation. He continued that the money from last year's Grover Grant expired and some other funds were cut. He added that these two factors contribute to the problems of reaching these isolated individuals. Senator Green asked if the individuals referred to were preschool children, school aged or adults, or a combination of each. Mr. Silva responded that this presentation centered on deaf adults. NED MAGEN from Soldotna stated he would speak about dental care for adults. He added that Medicare only pays for emergency care after 21 years of age. He then gave examples of what dental emergency care entails and highlighted specific problems of Medicaid individuals in his district. He continued that disabled adults have more dental problems than general population for a few reasons and outlined these. He gave an example of Central Peninsula General Hospital in 1999, where they treated 272 individuals with toothaches, but noted that he was unable to break out disabled individuals specifically. He added that the charges for this general group totaled $46,538.00, not including prescriptions or follow-up care. He noted that if this number was extrapolated across the state, a request for $250,000 towards this preventative dental program was a small amount. STEVE LESKO from Anchorage made an analogy of funding state programs to that of a report card and obtaining an allowance for a job well done. He likened the people in the audience, as representative of the State of Alaska, and the Senate Finance Committee as keepers of the allowance. He then gave a report of the Key Coalition efforts and a corresponding grade to the progress made in each assessed area. He offered that for quality consumer satisfaction, the Coalition received an A. He added that for cost effectiveness, the Coalition received an A+. He noted that for independent and family preservation, the Coalition received an A. He continued that for fiscal health and soundness, the Coalition received a D-, and added that the two-step federal minimum wage increase went into effect but nobody funded it, rather, a $300,000 debt load was absorbed. He added that health costs were escalating. Mr. Lesko continued that for employee retention, the Coalition received a D-. He offered that community programs do not have retirement plans for staff or increments for pay increases. He noted that for external support, the Coalition received a D. He continued that there was more outside monetary support for Harborview, an institution, than there presently exists for community based programs. He summed up that for contributing to the economy of Alaska in terms of the general fund, the Coalition received an A+. He noted federal waivers as contributing to this cause and used the example of the Alaska legislature taking waivers the first year they came into being. He pointed out that $1.8 million was taken from these waivers and put into the general fund without reinvesting it into programs. He then outlined present budget restraints related to the Coalition's programs, which he urged the Committee to consider. ERNEST DUMMAN from Anchorage stated that he was here with his son, Sean and his wife, Debbie. He stated that he would talk about life-long disability care. He noted that from a community standpoint in Sean's short, 20-year life, the state has seen the closure of Harborview, home to the mentally retarded. He added that as a result, the state has seen a move of these individuals into community, something that has affected all Alaskans. He pointed out that this move has created many rewards, personally, Sean is able to be closer to family and protected from harm or neglect. He noted that this move to community has had its problems, namely, being able to retain competent staff, absorption of labor cost increases, insurance cost increases, and the cost of residential home care. He added that the increase of families in need of services has increased to over 786, all of whom, are now on a waiting list. He asked the Committee to fund $930,000 towards rectifying this problem. SHERRY AND CHRISTINA GALLAGHER from Wasilla came forward to testify. Ms. Sherry Gallagher stated that her daughter, 12-year old, Christina, suffers from a brain injury, which she received from a tragic car accident. Ms. Gallagher noted that from a lack of funding, she is forced to find what her daughter needs on her own. She added that she must fight with the schools and agencies for services that are not available. Ms. Gallagher noted that because of a lack of respite care, she must solely provide this care to her daughter. She pointed out that head injuries do not discriminate and that Alaska reports around 5,000 brain and head injuries each year. She urged the Committee to fund the necessary and related programs. ANNIE AND JONATHAN JOHNSON from Bethel came forward to testify. Ms. Johnson testified for both her husband, who is unable to walk and for her grandson, Jonathan, who is disabled. She noted that Jonathan requires 24-hour care, and that this is in addition to caring for her husband full time. She continued that Jonathan receives respite care, which has been extremely helpful. She urged the Committee to support respite care programs. Tape: SFC - 00 #41, Side B, 8:49 AM WAYNE GOULD stated that he was from Anchorage and he then introduced his son, Taylor. He told the Committee about the multiple disabilities his son has suffered since birth. He noted that beginning at six months old, Taylor received therapy through the Infant Learning Program. Mr. Gould believes that Taylor's accomplishments are a result of early intervention. He urged the Committee to help end the waiting list for such services for all Alaskans in need. MS. ENNIS concluded the Key Campaign testimony by encouraging the Committee members to consider funding the needed services as outlined by the prior participants. She then referred to a handout [copy on file.] Co-Chair Parnell commented that during the last legislative session, funding of grants for developmentally disabled, were instituted. He appreciated the Key Campaign coming before the Committee to "put a face" on the different needs and services required. ADJOURNED Senator Parnell recessed the meeting at 9:00 AM. SFC-00 (6) 03/01/00