Every year more Alaskan families lose health insurance and can't afford health care. Every year more families with health insurance cannot afford to use it because of expensive out-of-pocket charges. Every year more Alaskan elders with Medicare are refused treatment by local physicians. And every year health care in Alaska continues to cost 30 percent more than down south. These problems are a reflection of the crisis across the nation. Not surprisingly, the United States ranks last in preventable deaths compared to 14 Western European nations. We have a lot to talk about.
Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center
Community Health Resources List
Physicians for a National Health Program
Universal Health Care Action Network
Lawrence D. Weiss retired from UAA in 2004 as a research professor in public health. He designed and built the Master of Public Health program at UAA, and has published three books and numerous articles on public health and health policy issues. He completed a post-doctoral degree at Harvard School of Public Health in 1982, and has been in Alaska ever since. His favorite expression is "facts matter." Occasionally he can be found in a local pub drinking beer and eating pizza while engaged in passionate conversation with friends.
Health Reform: Free Public Forum - 11/25/2008 2:07 pm
Physicians for a National Health Program Statement - 11/21/2008 2:30 pm
New Alliance to Reverse Harmful Provisions of 2003 Medicare Law - 11/15/2008 5:07 pm
Learn About Access to Health Care in Alaska - 11/13/2008 11:13 am
How Medicare Has Fared Under the Bush Administration - 11/9/2008 5:43 pm
What AK Legislators Think About Health Care Issues - 11/4/2008 2:01 pm
Letter From a Friend - 11/1/2008 1:16 pm
Health Reform is Springing Up Everywhere! - 11/1/2008 1:06 pm
Bail Out Medicare For the Rest of Us - 10/29/2008 11:01 am
Learn About Medicare; Get Free Vaccinations - 10/16/2008 9:48 am
Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Proposals: Key Differences - 10/13/2008 4:41 pm
Women and the Individual Health Insurance Market - 10/8/2008 8:55 pm
Ethan Berkowitz v. Don Young; Mark Begich v. Ted Stevens - 10/3/2008 4:04 pm
Cost of Alaska Health Insurance Policies Increases Six Times Faster Than Wages - 10/1/2008 4:58 pm
Your Questions Answered: Presidential Candidates on Key health Issues - 9/29/2008 5:37 pm
High-Deductible Health Insurance: Buyer Beware - 9/26/2008 3:32 pm
The Obama Health Plan: Summary and Comments - 9/23/2008 5:41 pm
Health Coverage for Children in Sarah Palin's Alaska - 9/19/2008 4:21 pm
McCain's Health Plan Unlikely to Help Families Get Health Care - 9/13/2008 7:03 am
Barack Obama's Plan for Health Care Reform - 9/9/2008 5:59 pm
John McCain's Plan for Health Care Reform. - 9/6/2008 7:44 am
Why We Need Fundamental Health Care Reform #4 - 9/3/2008 12:15 pm
NOVEMBER 25, 2008 - 2:07 PM
Health Reform Models for Alaska
Open to the public and free of charge. Come learn & discuss what will work in Alaska! Make sure you and your family can access and afford health care and health insurance in the future. Tuesday, December 2 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sheraton Hotel Ballroom
Guest Speakers
Robert Kraig, Citizen Action of Wisconsin - Healthy Wisconsin
Andy Moderow, Staff, Senator French, Alaska State Legislature - SB 160
JoAnn Lamphere, PhD, DirectorAARP - Lessons Learned From Other States
Health Reform Panel
Representative Mike Hawker, Alaska State Legislature
Senator Johnny Ellis, Alaska State Legislature
CEO Rod Betit, Alaska State Hospitals and Nursing Home Assoc.
Alaska Health Summit
NOVEMBER 21, 2008 - 2:30 PM
[The following is a communication from Physicians for a National Health Program]
November 18, 2008
The Honorable Max Baucus
Chairman, Finance Committee
U.S. Senate
Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Baucus,
Physicians for a National Health Program respectfully requests an opportunity for one or more of our members to testify about the merits of single-payer national health insurance (as embodied in the U.S. National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676, which currently has the support of over 90 member of Congress) at the Senate Finance Committee's hearings titled "Healthcare Reform: An Economic Perspective."
NOVEMBER 15, 2008 - 5:07 PM
Proposed six-part plan aims to reverse damage and preserve Medicare
Eleven of the nation’s leading professional, health advocacy and other concerned organizations have formed a new alliance to secure Congressional support for the reversal of the harmful provisions of the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act (MMA). The Alliance to Restore Medicare (ARM) views the MMA as severely undermining traditional Medicare, endangering not only the survival of that program but also the political viability of a social insurance model for universal health coverage. ARM members have drafted “Stop the Assault on Medicare,” a six-part plan that will be submitted to Congress and the new President.
NOVEMBER 13, 2008 - 11:13 AM
Educational forum on “Access to Health Care” legislation presented by Senator Hollis French.
November 19, 2008
7:00 – 8:30 pm
BP Energy Center
900 E Benson
For more information, call the League office at 274-8477.
Brought to you by: League of Women Voters of Anchorage, Common Ground, AARP
NOVEMBER 9, 2008 - 5:43 PM
Here is part of a critical analysis about how Medicare has fared under the Bush administration. As you may know, a recent survey indicates that there is not a single for-profit primary care physician in Anchorage who will see a new Medicare patient because, at least in part, the reimbursement rates are so low, so this is a critical issue for Alaskans. These comments were prepared by Campaign for American's Future, and were distributed October 14.
* * *
What does our experience with Medicare tell us about the progressive and conservative approaches to health care?
NOVEMBER 4, 2008 - 2:01 PM
Alaska Primary Care Association & Alaska Public Health Association Candidate Survey
With an election just around the corner [actually, today!], the APCA has just finalized the results of the 2008 candidate survey. This year the APCA worked together with the Alaska Public Health Association (ALPHA) to create a comprehensive healthcare survey which was distributed to 98 candidates after the August Primary Election. The survey asked each candidate 10 important health care questions and asked candidates to determine a level of support based on a six point scale. Five questions were based on state funding support issues such as increasing funding for Denali KidCare and providing funding for a health professional loan repayment program. The remaining five questions focused on particular legislation such as expanding the scope of practice for health care professionals and expanding access to health coverage for all Alaskans.
NOVEMBER 1, 2008 - 1:16 PM
This was sent to me by a friend, and I reprint it here because I think he has something important and from the heart to say:
As a decorated combat veteran of Vietnam with a service connected disability, I am deeply concerned about the availability of health care for both current and future veterans of our country. I also receive some of my health care at my local Veteran’s Administration Hospital where I volunteer. Unfortunately, the funding necessary to support veterans is still too low. This is the direct result of the unwillingness of the Bush Administration and consistently supported by Sen. John McCain, who has failed to support the necessary increases in veteran’s health care. As a result, we will not have the funds necessary to meet our existing needs let along those of the future if John McCain is elected President.
NOVEMBER 1, 2008 - 1:06 PM
For example, visit Health Care for American Now. To give you a taste of what you will find, here is the HCAN Statement of Common Purpose:
We believe that all of us benefit from healthy communities, where we all have access to affordable, quality healthcare from a provider of our choice, at the time we need it, at a cost we can afford. Our mutual goal is affordable, quality health care for everyone in America and for our nation.
Our current health care system in America is not affordable for families, businesses or government. We need an American solution to secure our families’ health and a healthy economy. All of us, individuals, employers and government have a shared responsibility to realize comprehensive reforms in our health care system.
OCTOBER 29, 2008 - 11:01 AM
Wall Street got a bailout, but what about middle- and low-income families who have been devastated by the failing economy?
As more Americans lose their jobs - and with them, their health care - programs like Medicaid become more important than ever. The problem is, just as demand is growing, states are facing Medicaid cuts and services are at risk of being eliminated.
To help states prevent Medicaid cuts when many Americans need it most, Congress must temporarily increase their state Medicaid funding as part of an economic stimulus bill.
So what can you do? Make the case to your elected officials about the important role Medicaid plays in times of economic stress. Tell them we need a temporary increase in Medicaid funding.
OCTOBER 16, 2008 - 9:48 AM
Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services Open House this Friday, Oct 17
Special Workshop of Medicare Changes and Access to Health Care. Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services, 825 L Street.
The Health Fair begins at 7:30 am and ends at 10:00 am.
Chemistry/hematology $40
Thyroid blood test $30
Prostate blood test $25
Vitamin D blood test $50
Flu, Pneumonia, and Tdap vaccinations Free
8:00 am to 2:00 pm: DHSS Open House
Program displays
Animal Care & Control "Petting Zoo"
Story Time with special guest Olympian Rosie Fletcher
OCTOBER 13, 2008 - 4:41 PM
This report describes the 2008 presidential candidates' proposals, examines key differences in their vision of a future health insurance system, and evaluates the proposals against principles outlined by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama would place the nation's health system on very different paths, with profound implications for the American people.
Obama's proposal for mixed private–public group insurance with a shared responsibility for financing has greater potential to move the health care system toward high performance than does McCain's proposal to encourage individual market coverage through the use of tax incentives and deregulation. According to an estimate discussed in the report, in 10 years McCain's proposal would reduce the number of people who are uninsured by 2 million out of a projected 67 million, while Obama's plan would reduce the number of uninsured people by 34 million.
OCTOBER 8, 2008 - 8:55 PM
Buying insurance in the individual market is very different from getting health insurance through an employer. Women who get health insurance from their employer are protected by several important federal and state laws. For example, most employers cannot charge their employees different premiums for their health insurance. And employers must include maternity coverage in the health insurance that they provide to their employees.
In contrast, states are left to regulate the sale of health insurance in the individual market; and in the vast majority of states, few if any such protections exist for women who purchase individual health coverage. Furthermore, those seeking health coverage in the individual market are often less able to afford insurance without the benefit of an employer to share the cost of the premium.
OCTOBER 3, 2008 - 4:04 PM
On Monday, October 6, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the UAA Campus, you can see and listen to the Republican and Democrat candidates for the US House and Senate seats representing Alaska. They will address topics on health care and financial security that are important to you and your family.
Free parking in the west parking lot between the auditorium and Lake Otis Blvd.
Ethan Berkowitz and Don Young will appear in person. Due to travel restraints, Ted Stevens will be pre-taped from Washington. Election debate guidelines require that Mark Begich also be pre-taped. The pre-taped segments will be shown in their entirety on large screens. The debate will be moderated by John Tracy, former Evening News Anchor for KTUU.
OCTOBER 1, 2008 - 4:58 PM
New Study By FamiliesUSA Jointly Released with Alaska Center for Public Policy
A new study by FamiliesUSA released today shows that over the past eight years (2000 through 2007), family health insurance premiums for Alaska's workers rose 5.7 times more quickly than average earnings. On average, health care premiums for families rose by 73.6 percent, while average earnings rose by only 13.0 percent.
For family health coverage in Alaska, the average annual premium (employer and worker share of premiums combined) rose from $7,456 to $12,942, an increase of $5,486. For family health coverage in the state, the employer's portion of annual premiums rose from $5,484 to $9,901 (a difference of $4,416), while the worker's portion rose from $1,972 to $3,041 (a difference of $1,069).
SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 - 5:37 PM
What does presidential candidate John McCain propose to do about medical malpractice or women's health? What does candidate Barack Obama intend to do about long-term care or veteran's health issues? Stumped by these important questions? Well then, I have a new website for you to take a look at:
"Health care has been an important issue in this year's presidential campaign and the candidates have staked out positions on key health care issues. Both major party candidates have developed comprehensive health care reform proposals addressing health coverage and access, rising health care costs and health care quality. A side-by-side comparison of these proposals has been prepared and is available here."
SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 - 3:32 PM
During 2006 and 2007, one out of every three Americans was uninsured for some period of time. These nearly 90 million Americans faced significant barriers to care, worse health outcomes, and even a higher risk of premature death.
The heavy burden of uninsurance was especially harmful for communities of color. Although racial and ethnic minorities represent a third of the U.S. population, people of color made up more than half of the uninsured in 2006 and 2007.
As the United States grapples with providing equal access to health care for all Americans, some policy makers have touted using high-deductible health plans as a way to expand coverage. High-deductible health plans are often coupled with health savings accounts (see "Health Savings Accounts" on page 7 of the full study--link below) and may be attractive because of their lower premiums. However, the full costs associated with high-deductible plans far exceed their premiums, and these expenses are disproportionately unaffordable for racial and ethnic minorities.
This issue brief discusses three serious concerns that make high-deductible health plans less helpful--or even potentially harmful--for racial and ethnic minorities:
1. Out-of-pocket costs in high-deductible plans are simply unaffordable for many racial and ethnic minorities. The heavy costs of high-deductible plans will force many minorities to delay or avoid necessary care.
2. The barriers created by high-deductible plans will aggravate the health disparities that already plague many minority communities.
3. Considering these problems, high-deductible health plans cannot be viewed as a solution for the health disparities faced by communities of color. In fact, high-deductible plans might actually exacerbate health inequalities, despite proponents' promises of so-called "consumer choice."
SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 - 5:41 PM
Here is a concise summary of Obama's health plan, according to Dr. Oberlander writing in the New England Journal of Medicine:
"The core of the Obama plan is a requirement that employers either offer their workers insurance or pay a tax to help finance coverage for the uninsured (some small businesses would be exempt, and others would be subsidized). The Obama plan would also create two new options for obtaining health insurance: a new government health plan (similar to Medicare) and a national health insurance exchange (a purchasing pool analogous to the Massachusetts Connector) that would offer a choice of private insurance options. Both would be open to persons without access to group health insurance or other public insurance, as well as to small businesses that wanted to purchase coverage for their workers. Income-related subsidies would be provided to help lower-income persons afford coverage. And private insurers could not deny coverage because of preexisting conditions or charge substantially higher premiums to sick enrollees..."
SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 - 4:21 PM
Following the nomination of Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, increased attention has been directed towards her home state of Alaska. The Center for Children and Families has compiled state data pertaining to the number of uninsured, eligibility for public programs, and recent state activity to cover children and families. For example:
This information is excerpted from the full report, Alaska Facts and Recent Activity.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 - 7:03 AM
What is the central feature of Presidential hopeful John McCain's health plan? In an article in the prestigeous New England Journal of Medicine, health policy analyst Jonathan Oberlander, Ph.D. characterizes it in this way:
"McCain's plan embraces market forces and promotes individually purchased insurance. Its centerpiece is a change in the tax treatment of health insurance. Currently, workers do not pay taxes on health insurance premiums paid by their employers. The McCain plan would eliminate this tax exclusion and use the revenue generated — projected to be $3.6 trillion over 10 years — to pay for refundable tax credits for Americans obtaining private insurance ($2,500 for individuals, $5,000 for families). Uninsured Americans could use their credits to help buy insurance coverage on the individual market, and workers with employer-sponsored insurance could use theirs to offset the cost of paying taxes on their employers' premium contributions or to purchase coverage on their own."
SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 - 5:59 PM
Here are the highlights of Barack Obama's plan for health care reform. We will talk about the details at a later time, and explain some of the concepts and facts which might not be entirely clear, but at least here is a concise summary:
Key Elements of Barack Obama's Plan for Health Care Reform:
Other proposed measures to control costs and improve quality:
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
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