[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6093319,"mediaKeyId","2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782","parentId",2848113,"title","Senate committee hears bill to license third‑party administrators and pharmacy benefit managers","audioSeconds",828,"startMs",561785,"endMs",1390600,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782&start=561&end=1390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782/thumbnail_561785.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093319/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-license-thirdparty-administrators-and-pharmacy-benefit-managers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093319-69087e85ccf279aa05b064c9d0b9bebd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158866&Signature=co0kzJg9mOlTCxJ~Bo1GAzmn-b6Zm7D9x07-Y7BcbP-6rANwiqnw9n5K1rJNkTe4IjnXLUO4TyQ48GFQiFZeIBcNb1SGS1s~SwEFdgERbqFLRtj3Kp30tBFcYZh4KhS62I19zitUUjTwDh43aoKaQ6FyllzWSsTDu6oLO-hy4EYoue~69TxM-AQW9cQednulNJ8Z8ybrkH-vQWcJLwOMNTSz8ofxW7YxJTRx9MYlBgXQ1nuLGSWzVJf4HY4GEHts5klQrFgAfgHzh-fjZJYNMSY~93pGndkA5XT6OIRmSHK31XrpByatTMX7z0dbKFCA7JHjQtobcFvQLjsVxtO67g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-04-01T15:30:00Z","article","Sen. Giesel, vice chair of the Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee, opened the committee's first hearing on Senate Bill 134 on April 1, 2025, a bill that would require third‑party administrators (TPAs) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operating in Alaska to hold state licenses and give the Division of Insurance broader oversight.

The bill matters because it would change how the state monitors entities that administer pharmacy benefits and sometimes operate across insurers, pharmacies and PBMs, potentially creating opaque corporate structures. \"Under a registration scheme, we did not have the authority that a full licensure would give the division in terms of oversight,\" said Heather Carpenter, deputy director of the Division of Insurance.

Carpenter and committee staff, Jane Rohrer, summarized the bill's structure: sections 1–4 would let the Division examine TPAs and require those entities to pay market‑conduct exam costs; sections 5–7 replace the term \"registered\" with \"licensed\" and add TPAs and PBMs to licensing requirements; section 8 creates an exam exemption allowing a compliance officer to take required exams before an entity's license is issued; sections 9–24 establish licensing and annual certification requirements for designated compliance officers and certain exempt TPAs, including a February 1 annual filing deadline; sections 25–31 require licensure to operate in Alaska and authorize fees set to cover salaries, benefits, technology and continuing education; section 33 sets an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Carpenter told the committee the change from registration to licensure follows work done on House Bill 226 and mirrors steps taken in other states. She said the change would address difficulties the division has had tracing ownership and activity where insurers, TPAs, PBMs and pharmacies are vertically integrated. \"We've seen a lot of concerns with vertical integration and folks trying to get around licensure requirements,\" Carpenter said, adding the update to the PBM definition would apply \"regardless of ownership.\"

Sen. Klayman asked whether vertical integration is inherently a problem or only when it prevents transparency; Carpenter said the primary issue is transparency and the division's ability to obtain information when entities are owned within a larger corporate structure. Sen. Hughes pressed whether the changes are intended to rein in PBM practices that contribute to higher costs; Carpenter said the bill's examination and reporting requirements, compliance‑officer contact, and fee structure aim to give the division tools to better protect consumers.

Committee members asked for clarifications about the statutory definition of \"person\" used in certification requirements and whether the certification requirement is narrowly tailored to third‑party administrator statutes; Carpenter said the provision appears in the TPA licensing chapter (cited in committee discussion as 21.27.6.30) and thus applies to TPAs in that chapter.

No formal motion or vote was taken on SB 134 at the hearing; the committee \"set the bill aside\" to give members time to consider it.

The bill would impose new licensing duties on TPAs and PBMs doing business in Alaska, require designated compliance officers, allow the division to collect fees sufficient to cover oversight costs, and take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The committee invited members to review the draft and return with questions at a later meeting.

The committee's next scheduled meeting was April 3, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/01/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Giesel, vice chair of the Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee, opened the committee's first hearing on Senate Bill 134 on April 1, 2025, a bill that would require third‑party administrators (TPAs) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operating in Alaska to hold state licenses and give the Division of Insurance broader oversight.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093311,"Committee recommends reappointment of Dr. Brent Taylor to State Medical Board; public comment opposes another nominee",890,1776855,2667435,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782&start=1776&end=2667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782/thumbnail_1776855.jpg","/articles/6093311/Alaska/Committee-recommends-reappointment-of-Dr-Brent-Taylor-to-State-Medical-Board-public-comment-opposes-another-nominee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093311-9f60c021b44c5e212af9cf17eb79117f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158866&Signature=FpaprboaPfswJxcq5VQTpAyzrALB9C3GSejnKUXaLnOjn1zWOW2Wrsb88P7Prh-xCLi2z-g3gZ9HVyLo3zw~65tahs~I7C9KOlQOb3YPzTgTFYZR8ZOWKttgRgZLr7aCfGtUaOXeCUpbhZL7IzSlsrSlfsN4cYCyphH~wxuCmRaRR85WMpdZ35rOI5W4y0HfBo5qu48cV~jKDwYJoxtjjfcmAC3syV~snwExWhSqBM8xrtfrZnKn-ekEKzUWLn7JeV4a7fXhdbqmsu-ra~OfRUoXMDbTxcIp7pcnJ7YTiys3YNYXvoA4TBRiQIPQaiW-ykx-vQWIdV~mZ76GFvMT5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee interviewed Dr. Brent Taylor on April 1, 2025, and recommended his appointment to the State Medical Board be forwarded to a joint session for consideration.

Dr. Brent Taylor, a board‑certified general surgeon who said he practiced in the Mat‑Su Valley for nearly three decades, told the committee he volunteered for the board \"because I wanted to continue to contribute to healthcare for Alaskans.\" He described his recent service as board chair after the prior chair had a health emergency and said the role helped him learn statutes and regulations governing the board.

Committee members asked about the board's independence and the application review process. Dr. Taylor said the board follows statutes and regulations to oversee and, when necessary, discipline health care providers while providing due process. He described maintaining a current license and board certification and meeting continuing medical education requirements as ways he stays up to date.

The committee discussed administrative streamlining of initial license approvals; Dr. Taylor said administrative staff has reduced turnaround times and that board members still review applications although the process has been made more efficient.

The committee received one item of public testimony by phone. Rachel Goldberger of Anchorage, who identified herself as a physician assistant, testified in opposition to the appointment of Samantha (Sam) Smith, PA, saying Smith \"was lacking in both experience, as a physician assistant and as a PA working in rural Alaska\" and that remarks Goldberger described as unprofessional raised concern about Smith's judgment. The committee chair noted Smith will be interviewed on Thursday and the chair had requested public testimony be taken for both appointees that day.

Sen. Tobin moved in accordance with Alaska Statute 39.05.0.08 that the committee recommend Dr. Brent Taylor's appointment to the State Medical Board be forwarded to a joint session. The transcript records the motion and the chair's direction that signing the committee report does not indicate individual members' approval or disapproval of the nomination.

The committee closed the interview and will collect signatures on transmittal documents for the appointment and the earlier resolution before adjourning.","The committee interviewed Dr. Brent Taylor for reappointment to the State Medical Board and voted to forward his appointment to a joint session. A caller opposed the prospective appointment of physician assistant Samantha Smith and the committee noted Smith will be interviewed on Thursday.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093314,"Committee adopts substitute language and moves resolution opposing proposed federal Medicaid cuts",464,1389225,1853765,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782&start=1389&end=1853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848113-641c7efd58f80079f6c57a355660e782/thumbnail_1389225.jpg","/articles/6093314/Alaska/Committee-adopts-substitute-language-and-moves-resolution-opposing-proposed-federal-Medicaid-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093314-f42a7bb9fc209053f7aaf8bcfd3fd0c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158866&Signature=aRZYkat5qJwYn-YZcvGEqUvrGetzoEy8UFddA8TyLinn-w-EzDlvfrfFCjMy9fUiAucQ9w~M1gdfujK1Odtl41A0j6T~kbnNVMovDe1jEOvVLE3NIxMIzllMWqhfTJHl1RuwYXtFT0Pyzo73jBWFAi8NEBQ8QWJgc3T-L7v43vqdTgGAFCb3nb5BSEUw5iuGXbizt4T8LU2ma0Wzv9QMIzM1sppnswHsZybFVQmgmhq88AEATvHd-sUW84XIqomcC4zWz3iUG2ivHEMq1f68ov-25UIsBVKtHNgWKxUwiO9u7p4NkBt0DFGGEQ~KdEoL1yIyqPAVhfaySW88zYIVCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 15 on April 1, 2025, and moved the resolution from committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note.

Ariel Wigan, health and social services committee aide, told the committee the substitute incorporated updated data from the Department of Health: the percentage of births covered by Medicaid was revised to 36 percent; updated the share of enrollees who are under‑18; and clarified how Medicaid services apply to patients covered by Indian Health Service or tribally operated facilities. Wigan said the language referencing federal budget negotiations was revised to reflect the current status of discussions.

Sen. Hughes sought to clarify how the resolution frames the federal cuts, noting public readers commonly consider annual impacts rather than multiyear totals. Hughes said, \"I would say I am disappointed that the over the 10 years didn't get included on page 3 line 5\" and proposed a conceptual amendment to add \"over 10 years.\" He withdrew that version and offered a revised conceptual amendment to specify that the referenced nearly $880,000,000,000 in federal Medicaid spending reductions occur \"over 10 years.\" Committee members adopted the conceptual amendment without objection.

After discussion, Sen. Tobin moved the committee substitute (version N) from committee \"with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note as amended.\" Hearing no objections, the chair announced SJR 15 as amended was moved from committee. The clerk will prepare transmittal documents for signatures.

Committee staff said the resolution was previously heard on March 25 and March 27 with public testimony; the substitute before the committee on April 1 reflected updated data provided by the Department of Health. No formal recorded roll‑call vote was taken in the transcript; the motion carried by unanimous consent (\"hearing none, moved from committee\").

The committee directed staff to forward the substitute and fiscal note and to have members sign transmittal documents at the meeting's end.","The committee adopted a committee substitute to Senate Joint Resolution 15 that updates Medicaid enrollment figures, clarifies tribal/Indian Health Service coverage, and adds language that specifies nearly $880 billion in proposed federal Medicaid cuts would be spread over 10 years; the substitute was moved from committee with a fiscal note.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears bill to license third‑party administrators and pharmacy benefit managers

Committee recommends reappointment of Dr. Brent Taylor to State Medical Board; public comment opposes another nominee

Committee adopts substitute language and moves resolution opposing proposed federal Medicaid cuts