[{"_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",6089926,"mediaKeyId","2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755","parentId",2870819,"title","Senate committee forwards Samantha Smith's medical‑board nomination after mixed public testimony","audioSeconds",1621,"startMs",4753000,"endMs",6374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755&start=4753&end=6374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755/thumbnail_4753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089926/Alaska/Senate-committee-forwards-Samantha-Smiths-medicalboard-nomination-after-mixed-public-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089926-025a70ae218264f8b444513216176b06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128900&Signature=TtSqGLcRIw2kpnSU2SuuI4uutOkps4QFquJThJ-r-bdMPYanE9pfCIRv8XAtvKtoyo1H5GebRpms6Pbv2xSmDQkRj7qyrMH3qUIj3Nq3QJ8oGgajlbIM3vzPzhvhiUEJYZEltjv1CAQPhXub7WWBNCVVA5GV-Fh~YYjvwwgs9PM8Lif~l1fKG8ZQ6xZUIrzeABesLxo-flwy2yJ8X8Ne4Hhfk~KEzFCvlwVzGyPBBFcLRqWyapBtj1pbiQSJE3ak8AvxBugwBwWjlHBwO6ltGWuc3UpXo81TUGQ2D-v6T42ATw20mjfXrl2dZ3dPTuXtF9jxGVMAbtyVCiYWyqzkNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Health and Social Services Committee on April 3 reviewed the nomination of Samantha (Sam) Smith to serve as the physician‑assistant representative on the Alaska State Medical Board and voted to forward the appointment to a joint session for consideration under AS 39.05.080.

Samantha Smith introduced herself and described a four‑year Alaska practice in functional and regenerative medicine after training on the East Coast. She told the committee she moved to Alaska to provide care in underserved communities and said she wants to \"apply to serve on the medical board\" so Alaskans can \"trust their medical provider to provide safe evidence based practice.\" Smith said she has been a board appointee for about a month and had attended two State Medical Board meetings.

Public testimony included several opponents and at least one supporter. Betsy Dowd's Pacvan (identified in the record as a practicing PA in Anchorage) and Jenny (Jennifer) Fayette, a practicing PA with more than a decade of experience, testified against the appointment. Their written submissions and oral testimony argued Smith lacks broad Alaska clinical experience, is relatively early in her Alaskan practice, practiced in a specialized setting unlike most PAs in the state, and had made statements in prior testimony the opponents said compared Alaska unfavorably with East Coast care.

Candice Hickle, a PA with 17 years' practice who said she had read more than 25 letters from PAs across the state, also urged opponents to the appointment. Hickle said the letters raised repeated themes that Smith's clinical practice and experience do not reflect typical PA practice in Alaska and that concerns included an alleged HIPAA violation in prior testimony and questions about collaborative relationships with local PA organizations.

Dr. Don Hudson, a long‑time Alaska physician who supervises Smith, spoke in support. He said he had reviewed charts, worked with Smith at regular intervals, and described clinical arrangements in which Smith does not require a DEA to perform the clinic services she provides. Hudson said he has collaborative agreements with multiple PAs and described his supervisory relationship with Smith.

Committee members asked Smith about aspects of Board work, including licensing, disciplinary and investigatory processes, and how she would handle licensure applications flagged by the licensing team. Smith said she would investigate applications that show prior academic probation or other \"yes\" answers by calling programs, previous employers and state boards and, when appropriate, consider probationary licensing to protect patients while allowing supervised practice.

Concerns raised in testimony and questions included whether Smith had a DEA registration (witnesses said most Alaska PAs hold a DEA), whether she has experience in emergency or federally qualified health center settings, and whether prior statements indicated insufficient familiarity with Alaska practice and privacy rules. Smith told the committee she does not currently hold a DEA and said her current practice emphasizes non‑pharmaceutical approaches; she also said she had trained with emergency medicine but had not worked in an emergency department.

In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the committee \"has reviewed and recommends that the appointment of physician's assistant Samantha Smith to the State Medical Board be forwarded to a joint session for consideration.\" The chair noted that signing the committee report does not indicate individual members' approval or disapproval of the nominee.

The transcript records the committee's procedural recommendation to forward the appointment; the committee did not record a roll‑call confirmation vote in the transcript. Written comments and letters referenced in testimony were submitted to the committee record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/03/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Health and Social Services Committee reviewed Samantha Smith's nomination for the physician‑assistant seat on the Alaska State Medical Board and recommended forwarding it to a joint session after mixed public testimony.","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},6089931,"Committee hears support for licensing pharmacy benefit managers; bill set aside for further review",96,2835000,2931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755&start=2835&end=2931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755/thumbnail_2835000.jpg","/articles/6089931/Alaska/Committee-hears-support-for-licensing-pharmacy-benefit-managers-bill-set-aside-for-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089931-fba7f4bb572d0aa3844b7fd0287b30ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128900&Signature=LhaAhYw9RIKMk0LJ~IvjOHTfqBh~6SRf3kJHkPYp2DSEtSlu4YylYUH4KMquKFiM7IQ2H4khCudzgC20vY0HwScQ~nDWqnI-FgJu8st88BjvZqjky1NsdEPbQqwnkW6d4nlAX0WTSf4Mv4SE07BL3IGmhjq~YJu1fYp8GnoZL8J8DNafkPdbQfnTSQQ-xbMbytU3h2Gcug0eKVAqYl0SZaD6-Xty90RXynY2al9~eMByZ4XGxQlZSPa-gLdta0I2ZudeeuWbRbTaWO-08EGW9yYN1lyXxiH6QFga7pwv91r4mkT5QQp0wz2JiCEb7Dnt5B7eHfUjkNVcUVIceVXmaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 134, a measure to authorize licensing and oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and third‑party administrators, was the second item on the April 3 agenda of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. The committee opened public testimony and received a supportive statement from Brandy Sidden Martin, deputy director of the Alaska Pharmacy Association, who told members licensing PBMs to the Division of Insurance \"gives the state the proper tools\" to ensure transparency and enforcement of recent law changes.

Martin said last year’s House Bill 226 represented a step toward transparency, but enforcement requires licensing authority for the Division of Insurance. \"Licensing PBMs to the Division of Insurance gives the state the proper tools to do just that,\" she said, and added that most states already require such licensure.

Committee members closed public testimony on SB134 and set the bill aside for future consideration; the transcript records that staff should notify the committee if amendments are expected. No committee vote or final action on the bill was recorded in the transcript.","Senate Bill 134, which would give the Division of Insurance licensure authority over PBMs and third‑party administrators, drew supportive testimony from the Alaska Pharmacist Association; the bill was set aside for future consideration.",{"_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},6089936,"Senate committee advances bill setting network adequacy thresholds for Alaska insurers",1482,1249000,2731000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755&start=1249&end=2731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870819-65e8d3f191e6c05dc11ed35d5d3a6755/thumbnail_1249000.jpg","/articles/6089936/Alaska/Senate-committee-advances-bill-setting-network-adequacy-thresholds-for-Alaska-insurers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089936-647855ecd02734146f032dca7945ec4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128900&Signature=aSZ8ox58tXLOpXx8-bxHX9RccwXQoGJztnR5p-pS5OXFzXn7vlX3u5jbXihrUXduF02sg8dlaLXV9qzkYAHMdbFtHr1pBTxSd8VC81MFTSQjmjclIGEZCijL5u5bXc-1aelmgmEljSxCy3xO~tl4Z-wDvuUfLT1rhAuUYxsd10bA4r2f2oKJH8AQ~OrKCEP5tyeyvA6kJdqiKsroWQIY7LUN7lD316CgtsBgTLWH6CsPt7Dcq~JNcZIbpV2X127TRd1rUmNXhjQDOX62~pB87r67Fi6A2m9hMBR564da9691HQLuP6EcDOV2rxRTlPs8a081fit4tM~bNmRb4XNrzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee advanced Senate Bill 122 on April 3, adopting two amendments and voting to send the measure from committee as amended for further consideration.

Senator Alyse Giesel, sponsor of SB122, said the bill \"would create a requirement for insurance companies to ensure that there are adequate provider networks included in their policies\" and described it as \"actually [a] consumer protection type of bill.\" The bill, in its amended form, directs the director of the Division of Insurance to assess whether a network is so narrow that it offers consumers little choice or incentivizes shoppers to buy plans with limited provider access because of a lower premium.

The measure sets minimum provider-network standards across Alaska's regions. Senator Giesel and others framed the bill as protecting consumers who might select the cheapest plan only to learn they lack access to needed specialists.

During committee discussion, Heather Carpenter, deputy director of the Division of Insurance, told the panel she had a copy of the amendment and said, \"I do have a copy of the amendment in front of me.\" Carpenter said she did not believe narrow-network plans were common in Alaska now and that, with the bill's high thresholds, she did not foresee the proposed situation arising immediately, but she would need to review how the amendment fits with the rest of the bill.

Industry and provider witnesses testified in committee. Brenda Snyder, state government affairs director for CVS Health Aetna, testified in opposition, saying the bill \"is an unnecessary change in these network adequacy standards\" and argued federal law and state oversight already require sufficient networks. She said mandating the specified thresholds \"will negate the balance between access, cost, and quality\" and could raise premiums and out‑of‑pocket costs.

Doctor Steve Compton, past president of the Alaska State Medical Association, testified in favor of the bill, telling the committee Alaska already faces provider shortages in specialties and that ongoing market dynamics could threaten access. He said the measure is intended to address those risks if insurers pursue narrow-network strategies.

The committee adopted two amendments by unanimous consent. The first clarified that insurers must consider whether a network is so narrow as to limit consumer choice or to incentivize selection of a low‑cost product that provides only a small set of providers. The second amendment reduced each of the bill's regional percentage thresholds by 15 percentage points (for example, changing an 85 percent standard to 70 percent and a 90 percent standard to 75 percent), a change explained to the committee as intended to preserve consumer protections while making the thresholds more practicable for carriers.

After final discussion the committee \"move[d] from committee Senate Bill number 122 ... as amended with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note,\" by unanimous consent. The committee did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript and forwarded the bill as amended for further consideration.

Clarifying details discussed in committee included that the underlying bill applies when the director identifies a narrow‑network plan design (for example, limited or no out‑of‑network benefits) and that the Division of Insurance would weigh whether a product's design could mislead consumers.

Committee members also noted concerns that Alaska's sparse provider supply in some specialties could make rigid numerical thresholds difficult to meet and could affect contracting dynamics and costs. Senator Hughes asked whether references in the bill to Medicare Advantage would cause issues because Medicare Advantage products are not used in Alaska; invited witnesses explained that the bill references a list of specialties used for measurement, not a product-specific mandate, and suggested adding pediatrics to that list.

The committee record shows the bill advanced with the two amendments adopted; the transcript indicates the bill was reported from committee without recorded objection. The committee will continue legislative processing of SB122 in the regular Senate workflow.","The Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted two amendments to Senate Bill 122, which would require insurers to meet provider-network thresholds and direct the Division of Insurance to weigh whether very narrow networks could mislead consumers. The bill was forwarded out of committee as amended by unanimous consent.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate committee forwards Samantha Smith's medical‑board nomination after mixed public testimony

Committee hears support for licensing pharmacy benefit managers; bill set aside for further review

Senate committee advances bill setting network adequacy thresholds for Alaska insurers