Announcement

President's Report
by: Rod Betit (February 02, 2007)

Summary: During the last week we have met with legislators on several issues with primary focus on the need to pass HB18 dealing with expansion of the WWHAMI program from 10 slots to 20 slots

Full Story: PRESIDENT’S REPORT February 2, 2007 ________________________________________  During the last week we have met with legislators on several issues with primary focus on the need to pass HB18 dealing with expansion of the WWHAMI program from 10 slots to 20 slots. Passage of this legislation is needed by early March to insure that the University of Washington has a commitment early enough to admit 10 additional students into their program this year. Legislative reception has been very positive. The first hearing on WWHAMI was held this week in House HES. ASHNHA testified at this hearing. The HES committee passed out HB 18 and sent it to its next Committee referral, House Finance. Rep Meyer, HB 18’s prime sponsor, chairs House Finance and expects to move the bill from this committee on February 7.  ASHNHA co-hosted a reception for legislators and their staff in partnership with Alaska Physicians & Surgeons, the Alaska State Medical Association, the University of Alaska, the University of Washington, and Providence Health Systems Alaska to provide an opportunity for all attendees to learn more about the WWHAMI initiative. This was a well attended function with great networking results to spread the word about this important initiative.  SB65 was introduced by Senator Huggins this week. This bill is identical to HB4. It would repeal CON review except for nursing homes and residential psychiatric treatment centers in communities/boroughs with more than 25,000 population. Communities with Critical Access Hospitals would continue to be covered by CON review under both bills as currently written. ASHNHA has already been in contact with Senator Huggins to convey our concerns about this legislation and our opposition to the proposal. No hearings have been scheduled at this time for either HB4 or SB65. ________________________________________ The ASHPIN Board of Directors met last week to set their priorities for 2007. The Board identified adoption of at least two hospital quality measures by all members and successful deployment of the Alaska Rural Teleradiology Network as their top priorities. The Board also requested staff to develop a business plan outlining possible options for the long term sustainability of ARTN to be presented at the March ASHPIN and ASHNHA meetings. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ A highly anticipated independent report on Alaska's Medicaid program will be presented during a joint session of the Senate Finance and Health, Education & Social Services Committees on Tuesday, February 6th at 9:00 AM in Juneau. The Medicaid program totaled 38 percent of the state's operating budget in FY 07. That's up from 10 percent of the budget 10 years ago. Representatives from the Pacific Health Policy Group will present the committee with its findings. A comprehensive review of Alaska's Medicaid plan, Medicaid service levels for all 50 states and advice for legislators on potential changes. Copies of the report will be available about one hour before the meeting on the Senate Bipartisan Working Group's webpage at www.aksenate.org It will also be available on the Alaska Legislature's webpage at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/teldocs.asp by 8:00 AM that day. You can listen to the report by calling the teleconference line at 1.888.295.4546. Public testimony will not be taken. ________________________________________ We expect strong attendance by ASHNHA Board members for the upcoming March 29-30 meeting in Juneau. This will likely be the only opportunity to review legislation, meet with legislators, meet with Commissioner Jackson and her DHSS team (new appointments should be final by then), and to meet with your legislators on the bills/funding issues important to ASHNHA during this Session of the Legislature. The general outline for the meeting is as follows: March 29: 12 - 1 pm Lunch in Treadwell Room at Centennial Hall 1 - 2:30pm Special Presentation by Nicholas Wolter, MD, Chief of Billings Clinic (Dr. Wolter is a member of the AHA Board and has been asked to represent the Board to ASHNHA members to present and interact with the Board on AHA’s “Unified Health Policy”. Every state Association Board is being asked to weigh in on this new policy direction before AHA finalizes it. 3 - 5 pm Review pending legislation, develop strategies, visit legislators. 5 - 6:30pm Reception at ASHNHA office for legislators/staff 7:30 pm Dinner at Prospector Hotel March 30: 7:30-8:30am Breakfast 8:30-10:15am DHSS Update - Commissioner Jackson and Staff 10:30-Noon Board of Directors Meeting & ADJOURN ________________________________________ ________________________________________ LEGISLATIVE SNAPSHOT (‘Ctrl + click’ on Bill # takes you to latest version of bill on Web) (Red font denotes change in status since last update) House Bills Bill # Sponsor Title/Description Position Status HB4 Refer to HES, L&C, & Finance Lynn An Act amending the CON requirements to apply only to health care facilities that are nursing homes or residential psychiatric treatment centers or that are located in a borough with a population of not more than 25,000, in the unorganized borough, or in a community with a critical access hospital. Oppose In HES No Hearing Scheduled CSHB18 Refer to HES & Finance Meyer An Act making WWHAMI amendments that change the functions and powers of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to give it authority to increase the number of medical students placed, and adds a requirement for payback of financial assistance if the student does not return to Alaska to practice medicine. Strongly Support Passed HES - in Finance with Hearing on February 7 HB35 Refer to L&C, & Finance Kawasaki An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; and providing for an effective date. Neutral In L&C, No Hearing Scheduled HB55 Refer to HES & Finance Kelly An Act relating to Postsecondary Education that authorizes expansion of the WWHAMI program to 20 students. Strongly Support Provisions Merged by Sponsor into HB18 HB71 Refer to L&C & Finance Kawasaki An Act requiring licensure of occupations relating to radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine technology Pending- reviewing Tribal concerns In L&C, No Hearing Scheduled Senate Bills Bill # Sponsor Title/Description Position Status SB8 Refer to HES, JUD & Finance Davis Relating to a mental health patient’s right to choose the gender of the hospital staff providing intimate care to the mental health patient and to the duties of hospital staff in caring for patients receiving mental health treatment. Oppose In HES, No Hearing Scheduled SB27 Refer to HES & Finance Davis Relating to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for certain children, pregnant women and persons in medical or intermediate care facilities. Pending In HES, No Hearing Scheduled SB28 Refer to HES, L&C, & Finance Davis Relating to limitations on mandatory overtime for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in health care. Oppose In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB29 Refer to HES, L&C, & Finance Dyson Requiring certain hospitals to make certain disclosures on patient billings. Pending Meeting with Sponsor In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB32 Refer to HES & Finance Wilken An Act relating to postsecondary educational services and programs for Alaska residents; relating to a student loan repayment program for medical doctors, and amending the duties of the State Medical Board that relate to the program; relating to a student loan repayment program for registered nurses, and amending the duties of the Board of Nursing that relate to the program Support In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB62 Refer to HES & Finance Stevens An Act establishing the Advisory Committee on Public Reporting of Health Care Associated Infections, relating to reporting and dissemination of data concerning health care associated infections, and providing for an effective date Pending Exec Committee Review In HES No Hearing Scheduled SB65 Refer to HES & Finance Huggins An Act amending the certificate of need requirements to apply only to health care facilities that are nursing homes or residential psychiatric treatment centers or that are located in a borough with a population of not more than 25,000, in the unorganized borough, or in a community with a critical access hospital. Oppose In HES No Hearing Scheduled Other Measures Bill # Sponsor Title/Description Position Status None at this time ________________________________________ Upcoming Meetings of Interest: • ASHNHA 2007 Winter Meeting (Juneau) - NEW DATES March 29-30, 2007. A room block has been reserved at the Gold Belt Hotel for the nights of March 29 and 30. The phone numbers are - toll-free: 888-478-6909 or 907-586-6900. Meetings will be held at the Centennial Hall adjacent to the Hotel. The ASHNHA Board meeting will occur on March 30. • AHA Annual Meeting (D.C.) - May 6 through 9, 2007 in Washington, D.C. • National Rural Health Association Meeting (Anchorage) - May 14 through 17, 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska. • ASHNHA 2007 Annual Meeting (Petersburg) – to be held in conjunction with education sessions August 6 through August 9, 2007 in Petersburg. The ASHNHA meeting will take place on August 8 & 9.

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February 3 2007.pdf