Juneau -- The State House Thursday approved two measures designed to improve long-term care in Alaska. Senate Bill 56 and Senate Bill 57, both sponsored by Senate Health and Social Services Committee, make positive changes to Alaska's health care system.

The bills are the first two of four recommended by the Long-Term Care (LTC) Task Force. Senator Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks) was co-chair of the Task Force and became point person for introducing the bills. SB 56 allows public scrutiny of health care facilities, and SB 57 enhances protections for vulnerable adults. SB 57 now goes to the Senate for concurrence, while SB 56 goes to Governor Tony Knowles for signature before becoming law.

"SB 56 would allow full disclosure of annual inspection and investigation reports for hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living homes," said Wilken. "That means individuals and their families will have an extra tool for making appropriate decisions regarding health care needs."

Senate Bill 57 concerns investigations regarding the possible abuse of vulnerable adults.

"The measure reduces the possibility of exploitation or abuse by guardians, attorneys-in-fact, and surrogate decisions-makers," said Wilken. "What happens now is that investigations into abuse are halted when the vulnerable adult withdraws his or her complaint. Unfortunately, there are times when the vulnerable adult may be pressured by the abuser to drop the investigation. These changes give the Department of Administration investigators the needed leeway to conduct a thorough investigation."

Wilken notes that passage of the two bills was a cooperative effort of the TLC Task Force. He credits Commissioner Karen Perdue, Health, Education, and Social Services, and Deputy Commissioner of Administration, Alison Elgee for their hard work on the bills. "It was a pleasure to be a member of the LTC Commission," said Elgee. "It was a bi-partisan effort-in fact, the cooperative effort led to quick passage of this legislation and demonstrates the effectiveness of working together."

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