01-19-2008                     Senate Journal                           1642
          information; repealing the certificate of need program
          for certain health care facilities and relating to the
          repeal; annulling certain regulations required for
          implementation of the certificate of need program for
          certain health care facilities; and providing for an
          effective date."

was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social
Services and Finance Committees.

The following fiscal information was published today:
 Fiscal Note No. 1, indeterminate, Department of Health and Social
      Services
 Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Health and Social Services
 Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Health and Social Services

Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18:

Dear President Green:

Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am
transmitting a bill to further the provision of affordable and quality
health care services for all Alaskans.  This bill is my administration's
Alaska Health Care Transparency Act.

Access to affordable, quality health care services is one of the most
pressing issues facing Alaska families.  Providing these services in
Alaska is particularly challenging, given our small population and
wide geographic area to be served.

Dynamic health care planning, that involves both the public and
private sectors, is essential to providing affordable, quality health care
services.  This bill would further health care planning by establishing
an Alaska Health Care Commission to look at health care services
from a statewide perspective.  It would encourage non-traditional
stakeholders, including businesses and civic organizations, to share
their expertise to address the important issues facing the provision of
these essential services.

01-19-2008                     Senate Journal                           1643
Finally, now is the time to recognize that market mechanisms, not
static governmental restrictions, are the best way to ensure that proper
business decision-making guides the development of health care
services.  Therefore, to allow business decision-making to take place
more efficiently, this bill would repeal the certificate of need program.
The bill would also establish an Alaska health care information office
to give consumers factually based information on quality, cost, and
other important matters to make better informed decisions about health
care facilities in the state.

Alaska families deserve the best health care that Alaska can offer.
This bill would play a major role in improving the health care system
in Alaska.

I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.

Sincerely,
/s/
Sarah Palin
Governor