Issue Position: Health

Issue Position

Senator Murkowski remains committed to ensuring that all Alaskans have access to affordable, quality healthcare. She knew that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would never work in Alaska. That is why she voted against the law, has supported its full repeal, and continuously worked to address the provisions in the law that are most harmful to Alaskans. The continued, dramatic increases in insurance premiums each year is simply unsustainable for Alaskans. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Murkowski is well-placed to effect positive change in this area for Alaska.

In May 2016, Moda Health announced its withdrawal from Alaska's market in 2017, leaving the state with only one option for health insurance in the individual market. Now roughly 14,000 Alaskans will be forced to change insurers next year. Senator Murkowski fully believes that a full repeal of the law would be the best course of action, but acknowledges it is simply not possible under the Obama Administration. In light of this, Murkowski has proposed several ways to lessen the burdens created by the ACA, including:

Full repeal of the Cadillac Tax; (In December 2015, the Senate successfully delayed implementation of the Cadillac Tax for two years)
Creating a nation-wide insurance pool so that policies are not limited to one state;
Improving cost transparency of medical procedures;
Re-evaluating special enrollment periods to close potential loopholes;
Expanding both Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts;
Incentivizing people to live healthy lifestyles, in order to prevent and bring down the incidence of chronic diseases;
Supporting the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, improving the services provided by community health centers by enabling them to utilize volunteer primary care providers;
Supporting the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act, giving patients the option to negotiate the difference between an ongoing Medicare rate and the physician's fees and providing the flexibility to increase access to care.

On other fronts, Senator Murkowski supports a robust research budget for the National Institutes of Health, so the next generation of cures and treatments can be found. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), diabetes, and obesity are among her primary concerns and she advocates for enhanced research funding for these diseases specifically, as well as expanding coverage under Medicare to aid disabled patients as they endeavor to live a normal life.

Alaska has the highest rate of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the nation. Senator Murkowski is committed to doing all she can to put an end to FASD, including introducing legislation to provide support for individuals and their families afflicted with FASD. Senator Murkowski's legislative efforts also include providing support to improve the health of new mothers and children through the Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act. This legislation combats postpartum depression by encouraging routine screening and new connections to treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women.

Opioid addiction has become one of the most pressing public health issues facing families across the nation, including Alaska. Senator Murkowski co-sponsored the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bill to fight the opioid abuse epidemic, by supporting community-based drug treatment programs and providing critical resources for those battling opioid addiction. The bill passed the Senate in March 2016. Senator Murkowski is also working to address our nation's mental health crisis through legislation which will help ensure Alaskans suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders receive the care they need.

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