JUNEAU – A bill creating a system to fairly compensate those wrongfully convicted in Alaska will be the subject of public testimony next week in the Alaska Legislature. House Bill 55, sponsored by Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), has been scheduled for a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 1 p.m.
Read More →
We are now three weeks into the second session of the 29th Legislature and things are really starting to pick up. Committees are meeting regularly and they are beginning to dig into the Governor’s fiscal plans. The budget is the dominating issue this session and everything that we do will be looked at through that lens. Governor Walker’s plan has much to recommend —it is a good first effort. However, there is much in it that gives me pause. But, it is ultimately just an outline that is likely to change as it makes its way through the legislative process. I would encourage everyone to stay involved and to let your voices be heard!
Read More →
I was working on this week’s enewsletter about my bill to lower health insurance costs by reforming the rate review process, and then news broke yesterday afternoon that makes this bill even more important. Yesterday, the Division of Insurance announced it was cancelling Moda Health’s ability to sell or renew health insurance plans in Alaska. This leaves Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield as the only company selling individual health insurance, and now that one provider has a monopoly it is more important than ever that we a strong rate review process to protect Alaskans from unfair prices.
Read More →
JUNEAU — Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), Representative Harriet Drummond (D-Anchorage), and Senator Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) are joining lawmakers in more than 20 states in commemorating the 7th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. They are calling attention to the ongoing gender pay gap in Alaska.
Read More →
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Division of Insurance cancelled Moda Health’s ability to sell health insurance in Alaska. That leaves Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield as the only company selling individual health insurance plans in Alaska. Representative Adam Wool (D- Fairbanks) responded to the news by highlighting the need to reform Alaska’s health insurance rate review process. Rep. Wool is the sponsor of House Bill 239 which would create a series of reforms to strengthen the Division of Insurance’s review process and make sure consumers are informed of proposed rate increases.
Read More →