The Rates and Forms Division enforces Alabama insurance statutes, regulations and bulletins pertaining to insurance companies, producers, adjusters and other licensed entities. Its goal is to protect consumers and increase market choice by: reviewing rate and form filings submitted by insurance companies to determine compliance; assisting consumers with rating and underwriting complaints; deploying staff to disaster sites to assist victims; and doing consumer outreach.

The Statistical Analysis Division in the Center for Health Statistics analyzes health data for public health policy and surveillance. Statistical analyses are compiled for birth, pregnancy, general mortality, and infant mortality; causes of death; marriage and divorce; and other demographic and health-related data for the state and its geographical regions.

The Division of Provider Services processes licensure and certification applications, distributes health care facilities and certified provider directories and publishes facility licensure rules. The division also processes bed-change requests and change-of-ownership applications. In addition, the division consults with health care providers and the general public about health care licensure requirements and certification standards and procedures.

The Producer Licensing Division governs licensure of resident and nonresident producers, adjusters, service representatives, dental service representatives, legal service representatives, motor club representatives, surplus line brokers, reinsurance intermediaries, managing general agents and business entities.

The Alabama Department of Senior Services is a Cabinet-level state agency that administers programs for senior citizens and people with disabilities. It has transitioned from a medium-sized government agency and anticipates continuing this transition to be on pace with the growth of Alabama’s older population. The agency operates the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to help seniors. The agency has 13 regional offices covering all 67 counties in Alabama.

The Alabama Department of Insurance’s mission is to regulate the insurance industry| provide consumer protection| promote market stability and enforce fire safety standards and laws.

The Consumer Services Division is responsible for: resolving consumer complaints against insurance companies, agents and brokers; providing educational materials and assistance for consumers and senior citizens regarding insurance questions and coverage provisions; deploying staff members to disaster sites to assist victims; conducting consumer outreach programs in the community and before consumer groups throughout the state; and investigating unlicensed and unauthorized insurance activities and alleged violations.

The Financial Examiners Division assists the commissioner with regulating solvency of insurance companies subject to Alabama insurance laws and regulations through surveillance, monitoring, analysis and examination. The division provides technical assistance and factual information for determining regulatory action, thus serving as the first line of defense between Alabama’s citizens and potentially troubled insurance companies.

The Alabama Department of Public Health oversees public health by working to prevent the spread of disease and to ensure that resident and transient populations have access to public health services.

The Alabama Department of Insurance’s mission is to regulate the insurance industry, provide consumer protection, promote market stability and enforce fire safety standards and laws.

The Division of Health Care Facilities is responsible for: certifying facilities for participation in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs; working to ensure that the level of care being delivered complies with state and federal standards and is continually upgraded; and making sure that patients and residents are protected from abuse and neglect.

The Alabama Primary Health Care Association's mission is to strengthen and expand Alabama's community health center network through service, education and collaboration so that Alabamians have access to coordinated health care that promotes improved outcomes.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

The Alabama Rural Health Association is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of health for rural citizens of Alabama.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIP, formerly the Information, Counseling and Assistance (ICA) grants program, was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare. SHIP is administered by the Alabama Department of Senior Services through 13 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Each region has at least one primary SHIP coordinator. Each coordinator recruits volunteers from the region to serve the needs of the Medicare beneficiaries in their respective communities. SHIP Coordinators receive referrals from various health and social service agencies and also make referrals to these agencies (and others) when appropriate. The Alabama SHIP works with various organizations to provide outreach and education to Medicare beneficiaries and their families. They work closely with partners throughout the state on such projects.

AQAF is a non-profit company that provides quality improvement expertise and services through contracts with federal and state governments, as well as private organizations. Through a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), AQAF serves as Alabama's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO).

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. The goal is to protect older people and to preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The federal program was created in 1996 by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and amended in 2006 by Titles II and IV of the Older Americans Act.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIP, formerly the Information, Counseling and Assistance (ICA) grants program, was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare. SHIP is administered by the Alabama Department of Senior Services through 13 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Each region has at least one primary SHIP coordinator. Each coordinator recruits volunteers from the region to serve the needs of the Medicare beneficiaries in their respective communities. SHIP Coordinators receive referrals from various health and social service agencies and also make referrals to these agencies (and others) when appropriate. The Alabama SHIP works with various organizations to provide outreach and education to Medicare beneficiaries and their families. They work closely with partners throughout the state on such projects.

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and older in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provide a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home- and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best.

Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They resolve complaints and educate seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. They also provide information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA). In addition to a state ombudsman in Montgomery, Alabama has 14 regional ombudsmen across the state.

Shane Spees became president and CEO of the Baptist Health System in February 2007. Spees started his career filling various leadership roles within the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, after which he joined the 600-bed Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas, as senior vice president and CEO.

Shane Spees became president and CEO of the Baptist Health System in February 2007. Spees started his career filling various leadership roles within the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, after which he joined the 600-bed Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas, as senior vice president and CEO.

Will Ferniany, a Mobile native, took over as CEO of the University of Alabama Health System in September 2008. He has previously held leadership positions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he was responsible for the operations of three hospitals and the adult and pediatric clinics, and at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Ferniany has been involved in health care leadership since 1975 and academic medicine since 1988.

This House committee considers legislation on matters pertaining to the elderly and children.

This House committee considers legislation on matters pertaining to the health of state residents.

This Senate committee considers legislation on matters pertaining to health care in Alabama.

This Senate committee considers legislation on matters pertaining to the regulation of insurance.

This House committee considers legislation on matters pertaining to the regulation of insurance.

This House subcommittee considers legislation on matters pertaining to health care in Alabama.

This House subcommittee considers legislation on matters pertaining to the health care industry in Alabama.