State of Alaska Archives: on Health Care
Al Gross:
System is broken; start with Medicare and public option
Our healthcare system is broken. As a doctor, I've seen firsthand the struggles Alaskans and small businesses face with the prohibitively expensive cost of quality healthcare. In Alaska, we pay more for healthcare than any other state in the country.
As your senator, I will first balance Medicare so that it works and is fair for both patients and for providers. We must allow Medicare to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical industry for competitive savings.
We must offer Medicare as a public option, on the health care exchange for people to buy at cost, which will be markedly less expensive than what people are paying for health insurance today, without compromising access.
This is a public option and it can and will work. And, this will help grow the economy and invite new business opportunities into our state.
Source: 2020 Alaska Senate campaign website DrAlGrossAK.com
Nov 20, 2019
Al Gross:
Take on big pharma on prices & opioid epidemic
I'll take on big pharma to decrease drug prices and hold them accountable
for the opioid epidemic that has destroyed the lives of too many Alaskans.
Source: 2020 Alaska Senate campaign website DrAlGrossAK.com
Nov 20, 2019
Al Gross:
Health care costs holds back economy, especially in Alaska
Gross referred to the number of people moving out of the state, the decreased state budget, shrinking higher education system. "I really think healthcare in Alaska is holding back the economy," said Gross. "We've got the most expensive healthcare
system in the entire world, and in the entire country, and it's prohibitively expensive for companies or individuals to move to the state to start new businesses because healthcare is triple the national average here in Alaska."
Source: KRBD.org Ketchikan radio on 2020 Alaska Senate race
Aug 20, 2019
Al Gross:
Increase access, lower prescription prices
Increasing access to affordable care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs are two of his top priorities when it comes to fixing health care, according to Dr. Gross.
He's also committed to achieving a more efficient, coordinated delivery system; supporting physician hospital ownership; and facilitating new business opportunities through economic growth and competition in the industry.
Source: 2020 Alaska Senate race endorsements by OrthoPAC
Oct 1, 2019
Al Gross:
Led AK ballot initiatives to expand Medicaid
Gross was an orthopedic surgeon in Juneau, but left his practice in 2013 to earn a master's degree in public health, and to champion what some might call socialized medicine for all Alaskans. He led two ballot initiatives--one to
enshrine Medicaid expansion, as provided by Gov. Bill Walker's executive order, and the other to start setting prices for medical services in order to regulate insurance companies. Neither made it to the ballot.
Source: MustReadAlaska.com on 2020 Alaska Senate race
May 14, 2019
Bill Walker:
Expand Medicaid as long as federal funds continue
Proper health care solutions will recognize the challenges that small businesses face with availability and affordability of coverage and the opportunities for individuals who, because of their occupations (e.g. commercial fishermen), pre-existing
conditions, or exhaustion of lifetime limits, are without coverage.I support the Medicaid expansion with the caveat of continued Federal funding. This is due to the sheer economics of Alaskans paying for the expansion in Federal taxes and increased
premiums now that we have rejected the expansion. Moreover, 4,000 new Alaska jobs would be created and lower-cost coverage for 40,000-plus Alaskans would be provided and Alaskans have already paid for this coverage.
By rejecting the expansion, Gov. Parnell supported the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by forcing uninsured Alaskans into ACA exchanges. As governor, I would reverse this and accept the Medicaid expansion.
Source: 2014 Governor campaign website, WalkerMallottForAlaska.com
Nov 4, 2014
Bill Walker:
Bipartisan compromise on healthcare
Walker announced his support for the Alexander-Murray bipartisan health care agreement. "Alaskans pay more for health care than most Americans do," Walker said. "Right now, more than 36,000 Alaskans have access to affordable health care
thanks to Medicaid expansion, and some health insurance premiums have dropped more than 20 percent due to the innovation waiver granted by the Trump administration under the existing health care law. That coverage must be protected."
Source: Daily News-Miner on 2018 Alaska Governor race
Oct 20, 2017
Bill Walker:
2015: expanded Medicaid himself after Legislature opted out
The gubernatorial campaign is turning on funding for state programs, especially Medicaid. When Walker announced he was suspending his campaign, he specifically cited protecting the expansion of Medicaid as a reason he wanted to see votes against
[Republican opponent Mike] Dunleavy combined under one banner in the election [by withdrawing and endorsing Mark Begich].Walker opted to expand Medicaid himself in 2015 after the state Legislature opted not to pass a bill expanding the program.
But Dunleavy has criticized the move during campaign events and said at a recent debate that "we need to make sure the programs we have in place are managed well." One of Dunleavy's six major policy planks is cutting state spending.
Walker said as he dropped out that Dunleavy would "cause the most vulnerable to suffer the brunt of the additional $1 billion in budget cuts he vows to make to education, rural Alaska and those receiving health care."
Source: Politico.com's Daniel Strauss on 2018 Alaska Governor race
Oct 25, 2018
Cean Stevens:
Do not expand Medicaid under ObamaCare
Q: Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? A: I do not support expanding Medicaid.
One big reason is the funding formula for Medicaid pays higher than Medicare which means many of our senior citizens would be less apt to receive the services they deserve. These citizens are our most vulnerable.
Source: Alaska Dispatch News on 2016 Alaska Senate race
Oct 29, 2014
Christopher Kurka:
Vaccine/health mandates are unconstitutional, unconscionable
Vaccine/health mandates are both unconstitutional and unconscionable for a free people. It is the duty of government to
protect the individual liberty of the people to make our own healthcare decisions.
Source: 2022 Alaska Gubernatorial campaign website ChrisKurka.com
Feb 23, 2022
Dan Sullivan:
AdWatch: Washington is broken; including ObamaCare
An Alaska-based super PAC supporting one of Democratic Sen. Mark Begich's Republican challengers is launching its first three ads of the campaign. The radio ads are an opening salvo for the group, Alaska's Energy/America's Values, which backs former
Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan. The group spent about $12,000 to air the ads over the next five days in Anchorage and Matanuska Valley.Each of the three 60-second ads mentions Begich's support of ObamaCare. One also notes the incumbent's
support of Obama's appointees, and questions where he stands on an oil tax rewrite referendum in the state this year.
"Today the American dream is being suffocated, and Senator Mark Begich is part of the problem," the ad's announcer says in one.
It goes on to introduce Sullivan, who is also a former state attorney general and lieutenant colonel in the Marine Reserves, and includes an audio clip of Sullivan saying, "Washington is broken."
Source: Rollcall.com AdWatch on 2014 Alaska Senate race
Jan 9, 2014
Dan Sullivan:
Supported repeal of ACA, individual mandate
Q: Support ObamaCare (ACA) and/or expansion of Medicaid and Medicare?Dan Sullivan: No. Supported repeal of the ACA and eliminating the requirement for individuals to enroll in health insurance.
Al Gross: Yes. Running because Sullivan voted repeatedly to scrap the ACA. Favors offering public option, though not Medicare for all, and focusing more on addressing costs.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Alaska Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Joe Miller:
Embrace threat of federal shutdown to defund ObamaCare
Nearly every Republican candidate running for Senate in 2014 backs the GOP's push to use the threat of a government shutdown to defund ObamaCare--a sign of how popular they believe the plan is with conservative primary voters.
Those supporting the GOP strategy include Alaska Tea Party candidate Joe Miller (R).Two notable exceptions are former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) and Alaska Lieutenant Gov. Mead Treadwell (R), who have not fully embraced the efforts.
Treadwell, who is facing Miller, said he supports "any attempt to defund and repeal ObamaCare" but that "shutting down the government is not a good idea."
"Democrats need to come to the table," Treadwell said in a statement to
The Hill. "While we should try to repeal ObamaCare now, the best chance of repeal is when Republicans take control of the Senate and voters replace Senators like Mark Begich [D-Alaska] that originally voted for ObamaCare."
Source: The Hill on 2014 Alaska Senate debate
Sep 22, 2013
Joe Miller:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.Miller: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
Miller: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Alaska Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Kelly Tshibaka:
COVID shot is individual choice, against mandates
It's as simple as this: The decision to get the COVID shot is one for individuals to make, in consultation with their healthcare providers. Nevertheless, President Biden wrongly believes he has the legal and moral authority not only to make
medical decisions for millions of Americans, but also to impose those decisions on them and their employers. That decision has disastrous consequences for Alaska, and it will become even worse if Biden extends his mandate overreach to air travel.
Source: Must Read Alaska on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Sep 17, 2021
Les Gara:
COVID: I want people treated, not ration life-saving care
Gara has been one of the more vocal critics of the governor's handling of the pandemic. "I've asked him to do what hospitals have been warning about so they could have prevented people from dying. He doesn't get to blame his refusal to act, or refusal
to take any personal responsibility on people who asked him to do what hospitals have been pleading for," Gara said. "I want people to be treated, cared for, and not told that we're in such a crisis that life-saving care has to be rationed."
Source: The Midnight Sun on 2022 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Sep 22, 2021
Mark Begich:
AdWatch: Targeted by RNC robocalls for support of ObamaCare
Sen. Mark Begich is among 11 Democrats targeted by the Republican National Committee for their support of ObamaCare. The RNC is using robocalls and posting on Facebook to urge people to call their representatives and ask "why they supported
President Obama's lie that people could keep their healthcare plans under ObamaCare."The targets besides Begich are Reps. Gary Peters (MI) and Bruce Braley (IA), Sens. Mark Warner (VA), Dick Durbin (IL), Kay Hagan (NC), Mary Landrieu (LA), Jeff
Merkley (OR), Mark Pryor (AR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Mark Udall (CO). The robocall script reads:
"President Obama and the Democrats said you could keep your healthcare plan under ObamaCare. Now we know [SENATOR] actually VOTED to make it more
difficult. Call [SENATOR] at (XXX)-XXX-XXX & ask why [he/she] lied."
The robocalls are a response to Democrats launching the "GOP Shutdown Watch" campaign, highlighting Republican senate candidates who supported the partial federal government shutdown.
Source: MI Daily Tribune PacWatch: 2014 Alaska Senate debate
Nov 5, 2013
Mark Begich:
AdWatch: Begich supports ObamaCare for Alaskans
Last month, an anti-Begich TV ad from Americans for Prosperity, a group linked to the Koch brothers, conservative billionaires. Now a pro-Begich super PAC has responded.The anti-Begich ad featured an unnamed woman with long reddish hair in a kitchen,
tying Begich to the Affordable Care Act. "Sen. Begich didn't listen. How can I ever trust him again? It just isn't fair," the woman said.
The new TV spot also features a woman with long reddish hair, also in a kitchen, but her name appears on screen.
She's Megan Collie, of Anchorage. "That ad, attacking Sen. Begich? It turns out she's an actress, from Washington, DC, pretending to be from Alaska. I'm not an actress. I live here and I trust Mark Begich. He's trying to fix the healthcare law," she said
in the new TV spot.
The message is the first public appearance of a Super PAC called Put Alaska First, which spent nearly $100,000 on it. While his ad emphasizes its Alaska bona fides, the group acknowledges he's paying for it with out-of-state money.
Source: KTOO AdWatch on 2014 Alaska Senate race
Dec 12, 2013
Mark Begich:
AdWatch: Promised we could keep our plans under ObamaCare
The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced a fresh round in an expected torrent of campaign ads targeting Begich and other Democrats for their part in the "lie of the year," an assurance that people could keep existing health coverage under
ObamaCare."So what's your New Year's resolution?" a woman says on the Alaska version, as "Auld Land Syne" plays softly in the background. "Here's one you can keep. Resolve to keep Sen. Mark Begich honest in 2014."
The ads are hammering Begich and
other Democrats who, along with Pres. Obama, said something to the effect of "if you like your plan, you can keep it." As it turns out, insurance plans that lack key benefits will be canceled after this year. In 2009 Begich said, "Alaskans who have
health insurance now, and are happy with it, can keep it."
"The purpose of these ads is to highlight the fact Mark Begich and President Obama lied about people being able to keep their insurance and doctors under ObamaCare," the RNC said.
Source: Anchorage Daily News AdWatch on 2014 Alaska Senate race
Jan 7, 2014
Mary Peltola:
Protect Medicaid expansion, support a public option
Everyone deserves quality healthcare. I will protect Medicaid expansion and work to strengthen the Affordable Care Act for middle-class families.
I support a public option and increased flexibility of federal dollars to empower state, local, and Tribal governments with innovative healthcare solutions.
Source: 2022 Alaska House campaign website MaryPeltola.com
Sep 1, 2022
Mead Treadwell:
I will work to repeal ObamaCare
America's healthcare system needs reform but ObamaCare is not the reform we need. I will work to repeal ObamaCare.
Already businesses across the country are dropping coverage for spouses, cutting back hours for their employees and insurance premiums are up. Their idea: more government dependence.
This is unacceptable. ObamaCare is making it harder for Alaskans to support their families and it is a dangerous program that we cannot afford.
Real healthcare reform must be bipartisan and encourage innovation and competition in the healthcare system. We need to empower individuals with choices, not burden them with more government mandates and more government dependence.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, TreadwellAlaska.com, "Issues"
Oct 9, 2013
Mead Treadwell:
Repeal ObamaCare by winning back Senate
Nearly every Republican candidate running for Senate in 2014 backs the GOP's push to use the threat of a government shutdown to defund ObamaCare--a sign of how popular they believe the plan is with conservative primary voters.
Those supporting the GOP strategy include Alaska Tea Party candidate Joe Miller (R).Two notable exceptions are former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) and Alaska Lieutenant Gov. Mead Treadwell (R), who have not fully embraced the efforts.
Treadwell, who is facing Miller, said he supports "any attempt to defund and repeal ObamaCare" but that "shutting down the government is not a good idea."
"Democrats need to come to the table," Treadwell said in a statement to
The Hill. "While we should try to repeal ObamaCare now, the best chance of repeal is when Republicans take control of the Senate and voters replace Senators like Mark Begich [D-Alaska] that originally voted for ObamaCare."
Source: The Hill on 2014 Alaska Senate debate
Sep 22, 2013
Mike Chenault:
Any expansion of Medicaid must be result of careful analysis
The Alaska Legislative Council voted to file an injunction against the governor for his attempt to expand Medicaid without authorization. Medicaid covers Alaska's most vulnerable: families, pregnant mothers, disabled and children. Many legislators
support extending Medicaid if it's the outcome of a smart process. Any expansion must be driven by answers instead of by questions. Prudence demands sideboards and reforms to our system in order to protect the vulnerable Medicaid currently serves.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Jul 7, 2016
Mike Dunleavy:
Eliminate all health care assistance by government
The 2015 decision to expand Medicaid triggered a lawsuit from the Senate, which accused Walker of overstepping the legislative process. Then Senator Dunleavy was one legislator who was critical of Walker's decision. "I want everyone to have affordable,
quality healthcare. But when one third of Alaskans are forced to rely on Medicaid, is that something we should be proud of?" Dunleavy added that if elected his focus would be on helping more find health insurance without government assistance.
Source: KTUU on 2018 Alaska gubernatorial race
Aug 3, 2018
Mike Dunleavy:
Defend Alaskans' rights to make their own medical decisions
We'll also continue to lead on protecting Alaskans' medical freedoms. My administration will continue to defend Alaskans' rights to make their own medical decisions about vaccines and therapeutics for themselves and their families in consultation
with their doctors and pharmacists.It's not the State's job to make those decisions for you. My administration's job is to make sure our health care system is strong and you have the tools available to take care of yourself.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature
Jan 25, 2022
Sarah Palin:
Health care must be market-and business-driven
Governor Sarah Palin today introduced the Alaska Health Care Transparency Act which will provide more effective tools to help Alaskans access affordable health care, and to ensure our health care system is responsive to changing demographics and market
conditions. The bill would establish an Alaska health care information office to give consumers factual information on quality, cost and other important matters to help them make better-informed decisions about health care in the state.
Recognizing that health care must be market-and business-driven, rather than restricted by government, Governor Palin is proposing a repeal of the Certificate of Need program (CON). CON is a regulatory process that requires certain health care providers
to obtain state approval before offering certain new or expanded services. [Palin's administration] concluded that the CON program does not benefit the citizens of Alaska, given the litigious environment surrounding it.
Source: Alaska Governor's Office: press release, "Transparency"
Jan 19, 2008
Sarah Palin:
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas
Together, let's provide the services that our Constitution requires, constitutional services such as education, public safety, and a solid infrastructure--and let's do them right. Let's commit to take responsibility for good stewardship when we're
developing our natural resources. Let's remember that Alaskans are capable and created to work. So when government provides education and job training, every able-bodied Alaskan is expected to work and not simply rely on government to provide.
Let's take personal responsibility in all areas of life--including health. What we consume and engage in impacts not just our personal health, but our communities too.Let's reign in government growth so individual liberty and opportunity can expand.
And let's expect that every region contributes to our economy, to fulfill our promise to be a self-sufficient state made up of the hardest working, most grateful Americans in our nation.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Sarah Palin:
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies
I established our Health Care Strategies Council and we'll pursue many of their recommendations, starting with our Health Care Transparency Act, requiring that consumers get better information about prices and quality of their own care.
We will allow competition. Under our present Certificate of Need (CON) process, costs and needs don't drive health care choices--bureaucracy does! Our system is broken and expensive. We propose, as many states have, eliminating the
CON, to increase choice and to manage rising costs. Currently nine CON lawsuits are adversely affecting consumers. Alaskans want health care in the hands of doctors, not lobbyists and lawyers.
We are considering what other fiscally conservative states have done to incentivize employers to provide medical insurance for employees, based on the free market.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Sarah Palin:
Personal responsibility & choices key to good health
Our choices often lead to heart disease, diabetes, underage drinking, drugs, violence, and abuse. Soaring health and public safety costs are sometimes unfairly passed on to others.
But more importantly, by ignoring or accepting selfish choices that cause the abuse, children, families and entire communities are destroyed. Government cannot cure all ills.
And don't assume more laws foisted on Alaskans are the only answer--most "bad activity" is already illegal. We have got to make wise, healthy personal choices, including choosing not to ignore child abuse.
I'm counting on families, communities and faith-based groups to step up, together, to help passionately here, too.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Sarah Palin:
More affordable health care via competition
HEALTH CARE - Obviously, high medical costs are hurting Alaskans and our Medicaid budget has quadrupled in the past 10 years. Solutions to this problem are complex, and no one person has all the answers.
I look forward to working with affected parties to find the necessary solutions that will lead to more affordable health care for Alaskans.
I support flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care that is needed, and is proven to be good for the consumer, which will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies.
I also support patients in their rightful demands to have access to full medical billing information.
Source: Palin-Parnell campaign booklet: New Energy for Alaska
Nov 3, 2006
Sarah Palin:
Signed up as organ donor; Alaska leads the states
Gov. Palin today applauded the milestone that more than half of Alaska residents--335,033 people--have signed up to be organ and tissue donors. Alaska is the first state with a donor registry to enroll more than half of its state's population.
The Governor, First Gentleman and their two oldest children are organ and tissue donors. "I am proud that so many residents recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation," Governor Palin said. "Their willingness to donate demonstrate
the selfless and generous nature of Alaskans."
April is National Donate Life Month. Every day in April, people across the U.S. make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by
becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors. Life Alaska Donor Services is the tissue donation organization serving the State of Alaska, offering the option of donation to families who have suffered a death.
Source: Alaska Governor's Office: Press release 08-057 "Organ Donor"
Apr 11, 2008
Sarah Palin:
Greater competition, more choices, and less litigation
In this chamber, we share a commitment to serious health-care reform. We've learned from experience that all the answers do not come from Washington. When Congress turns to health-care reform this year,
we look to our delegation to make the case for greater competition, more private sector choices, and less litigation in the health-care market. But we're not going to wait. Here, reform can move forward without delay.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
Sarah Palin:
Health Care Commission recommends habits against obesity
We have alarming levels of heart disease, diabetes, childhood obesity--and all of these maladies are on the rise. Now, I won't stand here and lecture--for very long--but health care reform on an individual basis is often just this simple: we could save
a lot of money, and a lot of grief, by making smarter choices.It starts by ending destructive habits, and beginning healthy habits in eating and exercise. In my case, it's hard to slack when you have the ever-present example of an Iron Dogger nearby.
But many of us could use a little more time in our great outdoors--and when you live in the Great Land, there's no excuse.
Protecting good health is largely a matter of personal responsibility, but government policy can help.
Our new Alaska Health Care Commission will recommend changes that affect the well-being of Alaskans far into the future.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
Sean Randall Parnell:
Federal health care legislation diminishes our freedom
Federal health care legislation would force Alaskans to purchase health insurance, and tax us for years before the benefits are obtained. And it cuts Medicare to our seniors. This is bad policy. It diminishes our freedom.For these reasons,
I have asked our attorney general to review and make recommendations for action, and I have joined many other governors in urging Congress to take a breath, listen to the people and do what is right.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
Sean Randall Parnell:
Alaska does not want government mandates in health care
Supporters of government mandates in health care want Alaskans to conclude that if we don't take the federal money that somehow we are not moving forward with health care initiatives in this state. That is false.
The federal government's 'one size fits all' health care mandates may have ended with the Florida court decision, but we will continue working to reshape our health care system to fit the unique needs of Alaskans.
Source: Alaska 2011 gubernatorial press release #5659
Oct 22, 2011
Sean Randall Parnell:
Federal healthcare overreaches into Americans' private lives
I am pleased U.S. District Judge Vinson recognized that the Congress reached beyond its constitutional authority into the lives and freedom of Americans. While I am concerned about rising health care costs, solutions have to be constitutional.
Because the authority of Congress to enact the mandatory health insurance provisions has been ruled unconstitutional, I urge the federal government to suspend all efforts to implement these provisions until the U.S. Supreme Court decides the issue.
Source: Alaska 2011 gubernatorial press release #5638
Oct 22, 2011
Pat Chesbro:
Medical rights are human rights, recognize at federal level
Medical rights are human rights and recognizing this fact and codifying it as the law of the land must happen at the federal level.
Only then will Americans be protected from meddling government oversight into their most personal life decisions.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Jun 26, 2022
Mike Dunleavy:
No COVID vaccine mandate; but expand Medicaid
In my second year, the pandemic descended on Alaska, and it was supposed to wipe us out. We had the best survival rate in the country and at the same time we kept our industries running.We respected local control and individual freedom. We fought
back and won against vaccine mandates and federal overreach. While battling the pandemic and the associated chaos, we kept the state moving forward.
We are asking for funding to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to
12 months to ensure that moms and their children get off to a healthy start in life. This initiative will also fund recruitment and retention of the health care professionals we need to fill the 5,000 jobs that will be required over the next 10 years.
The Healthy Families initiative will also add support to our efforts to battle tuberculosis. Our goal is to eliminate TB as a health threat in Alaska once and for all.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature
Jan 23, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023