oday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy expanded the third special session to include two pieces of legislation that will strengthen the state’s ongoing response to the current Covid-19 surge.
The governor will transmit a new bill that will expand the use of telemedicine and telehealth services and provide additional tools to expand Alaska’s health care workforce and enhance capacity within the state’s healthcare system to help respond to the recent surge in Covid-19.
In January, the governor introduced legislation to allow Alaska to join the 34 other states would have adopted a Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact. HB 83 and SB 67 would strengthen the healthcare delivery system by reducing barriers to licensure for Registered and License Practical Nurses, and enhance the ability for nurses from other states to practice in Alaska.
The governor’s action today adds those bills to the special session call and they can be immediately taken up House and Senate Health and Social Services Committees.
The Legislature is in a Third Special Session which is currently scheduled to end on Sept. 16.
