[{"_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",6256255,"mediaKeyId","3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193","parentId",3156984,"title","Committee questions larger fiscal estimate for Medicaid mental‑health parity bill","audioSeconds",343,"startMs",2295000,"endMs",2638000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193&start=2295&end=2638","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193/thumbnail_2295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6256255/Alaska/Committee-questions-larger-fiscal-estimate-for-Medicaid-mentalhealth-parity-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256255-f570808a6b9499e688652d29dfae03c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789916&Signature=RpwMjpXQXXVS6zLB3ByoPZexqG6lE2uzDMagi9EBdYMwqnBaNoNBEPahynTn1ywCg~LSHrZpEQPxIxiXNpantC92ErAqMkPXUBEC7HA-L-fIzklcgHdadV7R4PL~q316GLLtgUPxmaqAogST~NIvPbaia9SOD-nO~HMMXcuK1V7rIIVLPONbeeMjojlPvFpZrXnbitgWayw6wnZlTLlMke-pTBQstcjkQNLjHOk-7yDja02sTVWT5K-YqQWFh15xnj2TJVj65ZT2r7AlIjTQruge7Uutdw18ksEV0XULSPxQ78BfJV5d6xzw4ZnCFogO7P18fUhCr9CU8HzbWbX3XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Health and Social Services reviewed Senate Bill 45 on April 20, a bill addressing Medicaid mental‑health parity reporting and analysis. Committee members focused their questions on why the fiscal estimate for a committee substitute (CS) grew substantially compared with the earlier version.

Chair Senator Dunbar recalled prior hearings and noted the committee first considered the bill in January and again in April with a committee substitute. Tracy Domplin, identified in committee materials and appearing online as the Division of Behavioral Health director, explained the department revised its estimate after reviewing the CS because the substitute clarified additional reporting expectations, a broader parity analysis required every four years, and more extensive annual reporting with action plans.

Domplin told the committee the larger fiscal note reflected anticipated needs for contractual support and staffing to perform the parity analysis and reporting as described in the CS. Domplin said the earlier fiscal note “didn't reflect what we know now” and that changes in scope and clarity of reporting increased the workload and contract costs.

Senator Giesel and other members sought clarification about year‑to‑year differences in the fiscal note. Domplin explained the higher figures in years when a full parity analysis is required reflect larger contractor costs; off years show a lower recurring cost for annual reports and work planning. Senator Tobin asked about specific FY 2026 and FY 2031 figures and Domplin replied that the larger numbers correspond to years with a full parity analysis and associated contracts.

Committee business: Chair Dunbar said his intention is to move the bill out of committee on Thursday and set an amendment deadline for the following day at 5 p.m.; the chair also said the bill will proceed to Senate Finance. No committee vote on final passage occurred at this hearing.

The committee did not receive public testimony at this hearing. The department’s explanation that the revised CS increased reporting obligations and required contractor support is the primary rationale for the larger fiscal estimate.

No final action or vote was taken; the committee set an amendment deadline and plans to move the bill to Senate Finance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/29/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Health and Social Services questioned the Alaska Department of Health about a much larger fiscal estimate for a committee substitute of SB 45, a bill requiring parity reporting and periodic parity analyses for Medicaid behavioral health services.","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},6256261,"Senate committee hears bill to expand early intervention, lower eligibility to 25% developmental delay",1831,323000,2154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193&start=323&end=2154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6256261/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-expand-early-intervention-lower-eligibility-to-25-developmental-delay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256261-cbcf44afbc42ac525827b4174577df8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789916&Signature=mjN0oqYD8kqUqN2ydOcPs8IcxCDRUaIsZE324kjnQtx4uVyUCHMa~K3xv7MlM4J-MoWS-NP2ukK9hLvt6MpCKlfzKexUJQM7Vgbnr81c8ZeuyvTYoBGdxjBXfE8IysH-ltfcNXDRva2WSR2sj0oTiwRsQBrX9F~z4Uc7b2sMnA7TDZcwkNCnoaMRBKuLLBS4PMsaJUio3~gF1fqROZb-0ntSdgB5iNHoggs2Gm5EC6aOYdhBnw2jLnAzzo2SaFWbE2~IsWPXjaJrOe3CNDzy6J1JjG5oO2Z4FMqccDa-cu9n1uhfPnQzTSiKhNqgtvHq9PM8Oyf9vXcSLIPyyMKF2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Health and Social Services held an initial hearing April 20 on Senate Bill 178, a committee‑sponsored measure to expand Alaska’s Infant Learning Program (ILP) by aligning state eligibility with federal Part B standards, permitting broader Medicaid billing for Part C services, and directing the Department of Health to review qualifying conditions and report to the Legislature.

The bill, introduced by committee staffer Ariel Wiggins on behalf of Chair Senator Dunbar, would (1) amend multiple Alaska statutes to add early intervention services for children with developmental delays to the Alaska Medicaid state plan, (2) lower the program’s eligibility threshold from a 50 percent developmental delay to 25 percent, (3) require the Department of Health to review and recommend updates to qualifying conditions at least once every five years, and (4) submit a detailed report to the Legislature by July 1, 2029. The act’s changes would take effect July 1, 2026 only if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approves the required federal plan amendment.

Why it matters: Early intervention providers and advocates who testified said the 50 percent threshold currently used in regulation prevents many children from receiving services in the most developmentally sensitive months and years. Supporters said expanding eligibility and enabling broader Medicaid billing could increase access to evidence‑based interventions, reduce long‑term special‑education costs, and allow some families to return to work.

Committee staff read a sectional summary that cites multiple statute changes in the bill, including amendments to statutes governing early intervention services, eligibility, individualized family service plans, and the list of covered services. The sectional review included repeated references to statute sections as spoken in the hearing (for example, provisions described in the hearing as amending AS 40.7.77030, AS 40.7.72060, AS 40.7.7270C, and AS 47.20.2906). The bill also directs the Department to amend the Alaska Medicaid state plan and conditions its effective date on federal approval.

Amy Simpson, Executive Director for Programs for Infants and Children, described the change in Medicaid billing as central to reducing reliance on state general funds. She told the committee: \"The most important part of this bill... is expanding access to the ILP system by lowering the eligibility criteria to children with a 25 percent developmental delay.\" Simpson said that current allowable Medicaid billing covers occupational, physical and speech therapy but not the majority of services the ILP provides (special instruction and developmental therapies), which are currently paid fully with state funds.

Richard Seville, staff for the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, said Alaska’s Part C eligibility is among the most stringent in the country and urged lowering the threshold. Seville testified that the bill could yield long‑term savings, stating, \"Each child that doesn't need special education K through 12, we could be saving $229,000 a year,\" and argued those savings could be reinvested over time.

Providers from the Matanuska‑Susitna Infant Learning Program described cases they must turn away under the current threshold. Developmental specialist Cheryl Welcome said, \"I've had evaluations where those children aren't meeting that 50% delay... we're forced to turn them away,\" and warned that children who are turned away often return later with more significant delays. Julia Smith, a developmental specialist who said her program serves roughly 85–95 children locally, described the ILP’s parent‑coaching model and credited early services with improvements in her own child’s development.

Producer Lauren Artin Cruz described filming ILP evaluations and recounted a case of a child exposed prenatally to alcohol who did not meet the 50 percent threshold and therefore lost services. She told the committee that program staff have repeatedly had to end services because of the existing regulatory benchmark despite clinical concerns.

Committee members asked about fiscal and operational impacts. Witnesses and staff acknowledged the state’s fiscal office predicted the department would need additional staff to implement Medicaid billing and handle greater enrollment; witnesses cited an anticipated 77 percent increase in children served based on prior research. During questioning, supporters noted that expanding eligibility will require additional staffing, contractor support and federal plan changes to implement Medicaid billing.

Action and next steps: The committee opened and closed public testimony and then set SB 178 aside for future consideration. No committee vote on final passage occurred at this hearing.

The committee posted a later, updated presentation online after the hearing; the bill will return for further hearings where fiscal and implementation details will be considered.","Senate Health and Social Services held an initial hearing April 20 on Senate Bill 178, a committee‑sponsored measure to expand Alaska’s Infant Learning Program by lowering the eligibility threshold from 50% to 25% and allowing broader Medicaid billing for Part C services.",{"_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},6256251,"Committee advances limited pharmacist‑prescribing bill out of Senate Health and Social Services",380,2672000,3052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193&start=2672&end=3052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156984-0d358b926156d740ed80f414da49d193/thumbnail_2672000.jpg","/articles/6256251/Alaska/Committee-advances-limited-pharmacistprescribing-bill-out-of-Senate-Health-and-Social-Services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6256251-e13c5a53937972730131421fe780ae1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789916&Signature=b1GcbTmZlzpgEUDmzDfs8Ei33G2eMfi9fEO~Oi7yEx~KfKXxY1Mf5JxnBwtEFMXseDCuvR3i4Uqt1brSVbRed0mJhuVquv4KSFjR9nWZtqORQrp7ppKG9oZPL6ibJXTpesvIloSvagOEQoSNlKjmcOlVQSr~gW6Izur6C4rfldDGcn3Cjvd27YeXIeN3ZviFq3cJL47ZMUMVvYmh0kNirEkdF5avI4ve3wxrtArX2MBHhWdA8u3viCLc~Irlh~t3DWXTVyzk8gnZx4Pq9jpzVqyd8kSQosBbZBG7ziqXvDnrDFRqzG0pGchBDjorHgHRV5dmmbmrNV9eDH-pKBwffg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Health and Social Services advanced Senate Bill 147 out of committee April 20 by unanimous consent, sending the committee substitute (CS) to the next step with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note.

Senator Giesel, cosponsor of the bill, described SB 147 as a limited, scope‑specific reform that would authorize pharmacists to independently prescribe medications and devices related to minor illnesses, chronic‑disease management and preventive care \"all within the limits of their education.\" Senator Giesel emphasized what the bill does not permit: it does not expand authority beyond pharmacists’ training nor permit pharmacists to prescribe abortion‑inducing medications, noting current state law (AS 18.16.010) already prohibits such prescribing.

Dr. Brandy Signamardin, appearing online as the executive director of the Alaska Pharmacy Association, was available for questions. After questions and a brief discussion, a committee member moved the CS from committee \"with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.\" No committee member objected; Chair Dunbar directed members to remain after the hearing to sign the committee report.

Action: The committee motion to move CS for SB 147 from committee passed by voice/consent with no objections recorded. The motion text and the committee record indicate the measure will proceed to further Senate process with the committee’s recommendations and fiscal note attached.

Next steps: The committee announced future hearings and administrative items; SB 147 will continue through the legislative process with the CS and fiscal documentation attached.","The committee moved CS for SB 147 from committee without objection. The measure would authorize pharmacists to independently prescribe medications and devices for minor illnesses, chronic disease management, and preventive care within their education limits and expressly does not authorize pharmacists to prescribe abortion‑inducing drugs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee questions larger fiscal estimate for Medicaid mental‑health parity bill

Senate committee hears bill to expand early intervention, lower eligibility to 25% developmental delay

Committee advances limited pharmacist‑prescribing bill out of Senate Health and Social Services