Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The budget continues to be the largest driver this legislative session. Every department is being carefully scrutinized, and legislators are asking tough questions about the effectiveness of each program. I am taking a common sense approach and looking for cost savings for the state. Please let me know if you have thoughts or suggestions regarding the budget or any other issue.

Medicaid Expansion:

One definitive cost saver and economic driver is accepting federal funds to expand the State’s Medicaid program.  Early on, Governor Walker made Medicaid expansion a priority. Organizations like the Alaska State and Anchorage Chambers of Commerce, United Way, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association all support Medicaid expansion.

This table shows the number of jobs created with “low”, “mid”, and “high” participation in Medicaid expansion by the effected population.

Expanding Medicaid will increase access to health insurance for an estimated 41,910 low-income Alaskans. Those in the expansion population include individuals who are not currently offered affordable health insurance coverage by their employer, may not be eligible for subsidized plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, and cannot afford to purchase an individual health insurance plan on their own.

Under expansion, the federal government will pay Alaska 100% of the health care expenses associated with the newly covered population for calendar years 2015 and 2016. The federal government will then transition its match over several years to 90% of health care expenses for the new population. Studies project that over the next seven years, Medicaid expansion in Alaska would likely yield:

•         $1.1 billion in new federal revenue for Alaska
•         4,000 new jobs
•         $1.2 billion more in wages and salaries paid to Alaskans
•         $2.49 billion in increased economic activity throughout the state

State general fund savings are projected to be $6.1 million in fiscal year 2016 and increase in the years following. This is because the state will be able to offset costs of expansion by reducing or eliminating general fund contributions to programs that provide health care to the newly eligible people including the Chronic Acute Medical Assistance program, health care for incarcerated individuals, and behavioral health services.

HB 4 - Automated External Defibrillators:

Today, the first piece of legislation unanimously passed the House Floor. House Bill 4 encourages businesses, non-profits, and individuals to purchase automated external defibrillators (AED). Rep. Tammy Wilson (R-North Pole) introduced the legislation, and I co-sponsored the bill after learning about it in the House Judiciary Committee. An AED is a portable electronic device that treats cardiac arrest by applying electrical therapy, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States, striking as many as 325,000 individuals a year.

Before House Bill 4, building owners and institutions, unlike private citizens who are protected under the Good Samaritan law, hesitated to install AEDs. Certain conditions and requirements (to provide training, maintenance, a means to notify 911, and registering the device with emergency medical services) could have made them liable for civil damages related to use of AEDs in their facilities. As recommended by the Alaska Firechiefs’ Association, HB 4 changed the statute so that businesses would only be liable for having an AED accessible in their business if damages were caused by the business owner’s gross negligence. By removing these conditions, we’re optimistic that more business owners and institutions will install  AEDs and register their AED with local public safety providers. And best of all, more Alaskan lives will have access to this life-saving device.

Back in the District:

Last weekend, Richard Gay visited me while I was at Tastee Freez to see constituents.
I hope everyone has a great Valentine’s Day this weekend!

Save the Date: Anchorage Caucus will be February 28th from 1pm to 5pm in the Anchorage Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library. This is a great opportunity to voice your concerns or suggestions to Anchorage legislators midway through the legislative session while they are back in Anchorage.

Community Events and Opportunities:

Join the Red Carpet Entertainment dance company for a community dance on February 20th

The Anchorage Assembly is hosting a town hall on recreational marijuana use on February 28th from 9am to noon at the Assembly Chamber in the Loussac Library.

It’s PFD time! Don’t forget to donate to your favorite non-profit through Pick.Click.Give!

As always, please let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions.

Sincerely,

    Rep. Matt Claman

    P.S. follow me on Facebook and Twitter

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