Women's Issues Committee
ASEA Biennial Convention February 19-22, 2004
Thursday February 19, 2004

Sub Committee Members Present: Hettie Hume, Chair, Sandra Burgess Delegate Juneau, Nadine Lefebvre SE Region, Susan Killary Rural Kodiak, Mary Hailstorm Rural Sitka & alternate Delegate, Heidi Ellis Delegate Ketchikan, Linda Gorman Delegate, Ruth Maxwell Delegate Fairbanks, Suzan Hartley ASEA Anc, was our administrative assistant

In absentia: Barbara Brandt Northern Region, Teresa Anderson Northern Region, Gloria Eggleton Central Region, Gail Erhart Central Region, Sarah Hunter SE Region,

Guests: Jim Duncan, ASEA Business Manager, Toya, Tam AFSCME International

Meeting called to order by Chairwoman Hettie Hume Thursday February 19, 2004 at 8 am. All attendees introduced themselves.

Women’s Issues Committee is a sub-committee of the Executive Board and its present composition has 8 appointments-2 from each region, to sit for 2 years. They were the only 8 to respond to the Web & Solidarity inquiry. We could expand the number. One appointee is no longer in our union leaving a Juneau seat open.. Hettie was Board liaison, is now acting Chair of this committee and was appointed to the international Women’s Committee composed of 30 women, list is in your folder. Statewide Executive Board gave the committee a $4,000 a year budget this year for teleconferences and other expenses. Travel to other conferences to network is hopeful. We might be able to expand our committee numbers depending on what is done at this convention. We can raise money for our committee as other committees do.

Web site use was discussed as a useful communication tool for the committee. www.afscmelocal52.org with a link.

Minutes from teleconferences on 12/12/03 and 1/23/04 were read and approved

Discussion began on resolutions to be presented to the Resolutions Committee by 5PM. Resolutions give the Board, as the governing body, direction for the next two years. They can be presented by the Resolutions Committee or a delegate to the body.

The first issues were introduced and discussed: ASEA Health Trust medical costs both spouses work for State of Alaska with double payments and large deductibles, coverage that has been weakened or lessened. Nationally, women’s health care costs have not gone up but the health care costs have gone up. Preventative care would cost less than corrective care.

There are no women on the Health Trust Board any longer. There is one seat open now.

Resolution topics were introduced and discussed: including preventive health care, screenings, reduced age requirements for certain diagnostic treatments, Ob-Gyn subsequent care not covered, bariatric surgery is covered at 90% up to $35,000 and 80%

up to $100,000 and that rural Alaska women have to travel to Anchorage and then get pre approval for their needed care.

Testimonials about our Health Trust nonpayment of diagnostic treatments and naturopathic treatments were offered. Comparison to men’s perception of health care and visits to doctors were discussed.

Suggestion, the Health Trust administration office dedicate one person to answer specific questions.

E Board and Health Trust Board (HTB) are polarized. In early 2003, Board had requested that at least one person on the Health Trust Board be female, did not get a majority. A recent HTB election seated Frank Pushrak and re-elected Fred Brown. The HTB contends they are a separate entity away from the union. 2002 HTB provided a new trust agreement, declared that the Trustees were no longer bound by the election procedure, they would be self appointed, no term limits. The convention delegates wrote a resolution giving direction to the E-Board and the contract negotiating committee to ensure that we have election procedures for the Health Trust, and to CNC if they do not comply, write them out of the contract. Election language and term limits were reinstated.

HTB Fred Brown Chair, Chris Pace, Stan Kaneshiro, Frank Pushak, Dave Campana,

What regulations are they under? They handle $70 million a year, mostly state funded and are not forthcoming with information. They are not paid, but they are reimbursed for their time and travel.

Resolution #1 regarding Health Trust Board composition was approved as amended Resolution Committee #35 (RC#35)

Resolution #2regarding health care screenings was approved as amended (RC#34)

Resolution #3 regarding Well Child Care was approved as amended (RC#33)

These 3 resolutions were signed by Linda Gorman Delegate and delivered to the Resolution Committee by Suzan.

Resolution #4 regarding Alternative Health Care was approved as amended (RC#36)

Resolution #5 regarding Reproductive procedures was approved as amended (RC#37)

Resolution #6 regarding Pay Equity was approved as amended (RC#38)

These 3 resolutions were signed by Linda Gorman Delegate and submitted to the Resolution Committee by 5PM that day.

Beginning at 6PM the Resolution Committee did read, discuss and unanimously pass all of the resolutions put forth by the Women’s Issues Committee that day.