April 16, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
LEGISLATURE APPROVES “CHILD-ONLY” INSURANCE COVERAGE

Guttenberg bill piggybacked on another measure

JUNEAU, Alaska – In an unusual maneuver, the Alaska State Legislature early this morning enacted the essence of Representative David Guttenberg’s (D- Fairbanks) House Bill 326 to substantially increase access to “child-only” health insurance.  Existing law prevents parents with pre-existing conditions from acquiring health insurance solely for their children.  HB 326 would have remedied that by allowing parents to purchase insurance for their dependent children.

In passing the House Health and Social Services Committee’s House Bill 218, a measure addressing prescription drug specialty tiers, lawmakers included a last-minute language change creating a reinsurance program.  The program spreads high risk across a larger pool of insureds, making it possible for child-only insurance plans to again be sold in the state of Alaska.   Since 2010, federal health care law prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.  However, if child-only insurance plans are not offered at all, denying coverage to certain children is not an issue.  Consequently, child-only plans vanished from the individual market, leaving a gap in available coverage.  

“This last minute maneuver shows the importance of making sure everyone has the opportunity to purchase insurance coverage, especially Alaska’s children,” Guttenberg said. “I’m pleased we can all recognize the need to close this gap.”

The amended HB 218 now allows the Director of the Division of Insurance in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to put a reinsurance program in place.  Such a program would allow the state to guarantee coverage to these more costly insureds by pooling them together and spreading higher costs across a larger pool of Alaskans.     These Alaskans will likely join the Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ACHIA), which covers Alaskans with pre-existing or other higher risk conditions, keeps costs low, and increases access to coverage. 

House Bill 218 now heads to Governor Sean Parnell for his consideration.

For more information, please contact Representative Guttenberg’s office at 907-456-8172.

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April 15, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Democrats on Education Proposal:
Fair Compromise, Schools Still Deserve Better

Lots of good for schools, but not enough to prevent cuts this year or in the future

JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats claimed a partial victory in the debate over school funding as the House passed a bill that provides far more resources to Alaska’s schools than what the governor proposed. The governor flat funded education and later proposed what was effectively a $10 million one-time increase, far short of keeping up with inflation.

“We’ve said from day one that Alaska must make a lasting commitment to education and that it cannot allow inflation to eat into our children’s educational opportunities,” said House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau). “This proposal gets us about halfway to meeting losses to inflation from the last two years, and around half of the money is committed for future years as well as this year. So we’ve come a long way forward since the governor laid out his budget, but even with this, schools will still have to make cuts this year. And unless we take action early next year, our students will still have to bear the burden of inflation next year in years to come.”

While failing to keep up with inflation and limiting half of the resources to only one year, House Democrats still found many provisions to applaud. The proposal makes ongoing commitments to pupil transportation and vocational education and includes two proposals advocated for by Democrats. The Parents as Teachers program provides tools to parents who want to get involved in their children’s education and the package also commissions an outside assessment to guide the Legislature in how to best improve and fund Alaska’s schools.

“Parents as Teachers is an inexpensive and effective way to help parents get involved in their children’s education before the kids get to kindergarten,” said Representative Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) who has led efforts to promote Parents as Teachers in Alaska. “With the support Parents as Teachers gives, both children and parents are better prepared for success throughout the students’ school careers.”

“We know we at least need to keep our schools’ resources up with inflation, but it’s important we don’t just throw money at education,” said Representative Pete Petersen (D-Anchorage) whose HB143 called for keeping Alaska’s per-student funding up with inflation for the next three years and directed the Department of Education and Early Development to develop a plan for how to best provide resources to Alaska’s schools afterward. “I’m pleased that we will now get reliable advice on how to improve our schools and get them the resources they need to build on their successes.”

“We’re proud of moving the end result this year in that direction, but it doesn’t go far enough and we’re going to face more cuts next year because of it,” said Rep. Kerttula. “In the end, keeping up with inflation and giving schools more fiscal certainty is better for our schools and better for Alaska’s children.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2012

House Democrats Mourn the Loss of Representative Carl Gatto

JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula released the following statement on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus in response to the passing of Representative Carl Gatto:

“We are truly saddened by the loss of Representative Carl Gatto. Carl’s friendship went beyond politics. He was an intelligent man who loved doing the people’s work in the Legislature. He never let passions over an issue interfere with his genuine respect for and kindness to his colleagues, constituents and anyone he came in contact with. We will miss his smile, kindness and humor, and our thoughts and prayers are with Cathy, his family and all who are mourning his loss today.”

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