Senate panel adopts changes to health care compact bill

The Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted a committee substitute Thursday for legislation that would bring Alaska into four interstate medical licensing compacts and establish a rural health advisory council in statute.

The committee substitute for Senate Bill 281 removes language that would have expanded the scope of practice for physician assistants. Chair Forrest Dunbar, an Anchorage Democrat who sponsors the bill, said another PA scope bill is moving through the Legislature and this was not the right vehicle for that change.

The revised bill adds background check requirements for physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, physician assistants, psychologists and emergency medical personnel. The Department of Public Safety requested the changes to comply with federal law governing criminal history record checks for licensing purposes. Alaska's Background Check Program already requires fingerprint-based criminal history checks for healthcare workers in licensed facilities through the Department of Health, but the new requirements would extend to individual professional licensure.

"Without clarifying statutory language, the Department of Public Safety would be unable to process background checks required under these healthcare compacts," committee aide Ariel Harbison said.

Lisa Parenton, director of statewide services for the Department of Public Safety, said the changes ensure compliance with Public Law 92-544, which governs access to criminal justice information for non-criminal justice purposes. The law requires that background check information only be shared with government entities and used solely for licensing decisions.

The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing requested expanding background check requirements to all license types under the State Medical Board, not just those seeking licensure under the compacts. Director Sylvan Robb said most Alaskans assume background checks are already required for medical licensure.

Senator Liz Snyder, a Wasilla Republican who serves as vice chair, raised concerns about the fingerprinting process, calling it "ponderously slow" and noting Alaska may be the only state still using paper fingerprint cards. Parenton said the department recently converted to a modern platform and is exploring electronic submission options with licensing agencies.

The committee substitute also revises the proposed Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council to align with the existing council the Department of Health already convenes. Changes include allowing members to represent organizations rather than requiring them to work directly for specific entities, and adding the Department of Health deputy commissioner as a non-voting chair.

Senator Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, questioned whether the changes ensure geographic diversity and representation from underserved communities. Courtney Enright, special assistant to the health commissioner, said the seated organizations represent a wide range across the state, including the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association, which represents hospitals statewide.