September 2, 2021 (Anchorage) – Today, Governor Mike Dunleavy expanded his special session to include two pieces of legislation that will strengthen the state’s ongoing response to the recent COVID surge.
Today, the Governor will transmit a new bill which will expand the use of telemedicine and telehealth services and provides additional tools to expand our 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 our 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 September 14th.
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