NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WORKFORCE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulations on a workforce enhancement program for health care professionals. The program is a public-private partnership. The purpose of the program is to increase access to health care services for all Alaskans by improving recruitment, retention and distribution of health care professionals. This statewide program will provide financial support-for-service through loan repayment or direct incentive to health care professionals to serve all Alaskans, especially the underserved. |
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the Health Care Professionals Workforce Enhancement Program, including the following:
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7 AAC 24 is proposed to be changed as follows: Adopt regulations to related to implementing the program, including the following: designation of health care services shortage areas, employer site and health care professional eligibility, site classification, prioritization of eligible sites and health care professionals, program fees, employer payments, penalties and appeals, advisory council, and definitions.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, SHARP Program, Attn: Robert Sewell, P.O. Box 110616, Juneau, AK 99811-0616. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-4101 and by electronic mail at sharp.inquiry@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on July 15, 2020.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action via telephone at the hearing to be held on June 15, 2020, by calling 1-888-392-4560, and using the participant access code number 5818485#. Please note that in-person attendance will not be permitted at the hearing site because of the public health and safety concerns associated with the COVID – 19 pandemic. Please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. If you call to provide oral testimony, you should be on the line before the hearing begins at 10:00 a.m. The Department of Health & Social Services will give priority to those who call in before 12:00 p.m. The Department of Health & Social Services may, before the hearing begins, limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony. The time limit may be necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Robert Sewell by e-mail at sharp.inquiry@alaska.gov or mail at State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, P.O. Box 110616, Juneau, AK 99811-0616. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and at http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/healthplanning/pages/sharp/default.aspx.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Robert Sewell by electronic mail at robert.sewell@alaska.gov or phone at (907) 465-4065 not later than June 5, 2020, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Robert Sewell at sharp.inquiry@alaska.gov or by phone at (907) 465-4065.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System or through the electronic link http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/HealthPlanning/Documents/sharp/SHARP-III/MOA%20Template%207%20AAC%2024.%2004-08-2020.pdf . A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference may be viewed at the agency's office at the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, 350 Main Street, Suite 508, Juneau, AK 99801.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health & Social Services will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 18.29.105; AS 18.29.110; AS 18.29.115; AS 18.29.120; AS 18.29.125; AS 18.29.130; AS 18.29.190; AS 44.29.022.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 18.29.105; AS 18.29.110; AS 18.29.115; AS 18.29.120; AS 18.29.125; AS 18.29.130; AS 18.29.190; AS 44.29.022.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: April 28, 2020.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services
State of Alaska.