The group has addressed numerous specific issues that have resulted in new or improved language in the newly instituted regulations. Additionally, the group suggested a revised certification period of six months for the new regulations. They reminded me that one size does not fit all. Like a new ship needs a "shake down cruise" to work out details, so does the waiver agency staff and the department as a whole. This period will allow us to introduce the human factor into the Waiver Program. This will allow some of the holistic providers of the indigenous peoples of the state to substitute specific professional experience for educational degrees, on a case-by-case basis. In this way, we can allow the input of indigenous practitioners into the bureaucratic process so that the services can be custom fitted to the clients in their community.

The proposed regulations are much improved as a result of the input of traditional and new stakeholders. This process has taken 2 years (and will take 6 months more). Probably, a "quick fix" could have shoved down everybody's throat and would also have failed, just as the old system did. The new Waivers system has been slowly, carefully and methodically developed. They will become a critical component of Alaska's new response to long-term care and for in-home support care. In times of limited expansion and economic recession, the department feels that these new regulations are necessary to insure that the new program can be wisely administered in order to meet continuing demands.