Medicaid has never been more important for our economy and for the safety of our communities. A new study finds that eliminating Medicaid Expansion in Alaska would cost Alaska’s economy nearly 3,700 jobs, $267 million in annual labor income, and $566 million in annual total economic output under State Fiscal Year 2018 conditions.
With a split of 20-20, the House still has failed to organize. Although I am frustrated with the current standstill, it is not because of apathy or lack of trying. Every day, House members meet for hours to negotiate. There are dozens of ideas floating around, and I am only one member of 40, each with their own agenda. As the sole Independent in the legislature, I am working with a variety of people every day to build a majority that values similar priorities to Southern Southeast. I ask for your continued patience so that I can put District 36 in the best position this legislative session.
I read a joke the other day. How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb? Just two – one to change it and another to change it back again. That’s kind of how I’ve been feeling in the halls of the Capitol these past few weeks. One step forward and two steps back. The House is divided and is struggling to unite, and the clock is ticking.
Juneau – Today, Representatives Tiffany Zulkosky (D-Bethel), Zack Fields (D-Anchorage), and Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage) released a memorandum from the non-partisan Division of Legal and Research Services confirming that the Governor of Alaska is legally obligated to accept federal funding to cover the Medicaid expansion population in Alaska. The memo’s authors note that the governor cannot simply eliminate funding for Medicaid expansion by refusing to receive federal funds. The memo goes on to stipulate that any restriction on how Medicaid funds are to be spent must be made by statute – not the budget.
