Health Care

Alaska is blessed with resource wealth and unsurpassed potential, yet far too many Alaskans are struggling to find affordable, quality access to health care. More than 100,000 Alaskans don’t have health insurance. Those who do have insurance have watched their costs soar; health care premiums rose 14.2 percent since 2001. Older Alaskans face a growing doctor shortage. As U.S. Senator, Mark Begich will fight for high-quality, affordable health care access for all Alaskan that they can count on for a lifetime, starting from birth and lasting through your older years. Alaska needs a senator who will address the unique health care needs of Alaskans – the higher costs, doctor shortages and distances required to travel for proper medical care. Mark believes a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to the health care crisis in America is essential to preserving American competitiveness globally and the security of American families at home. We need to build on the strengths of our existing system, reward local innovation, and ensure shared responsibility.

ACCESSIBILITY – CLOSING THE HEALTH CARE GAP FOR ALASKANS

Every Alaskan deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care provided through the right mix of public and private insurance, beginning with coverage of every American child. As U.S. Senator, Begich will support:

• Covering all children by expanding State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to 250 percent of the poverty level ($66,000 for a family of four) and allowing families above this level to buy into SCHIP at a sliding scale. SCHIP helps fund Alaska’s Denali KidCare.
• Providing Alaskans with better choices by allowing any individual, family or small business to access the same health insurance members of Congress receive. This option must include portability, so people who purchase this coverage can keep it even when they change jobs. Nobody will be turned away from this coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
• Taking care of Alaska’s seniors by adopting innovative efforts to protect Medicare for future generations through increased payments to doctors, greater doctor-patient flexibility, and allowing Alaskans age 55-64 years of age to buy-in to Medicare early to reduce Medicare costs over the long-run.
• Helping younger Alaskans entering the job market access health care by allowing Americans up to age 25 to keep their parent-provided coverage regardless of student status.
• Partnering with small businesses to ensure their employees are covered by providing tax credits to help them by into the federal health care insurance plan and create incentives for states to create pooling opportunities for small businesses and non-profits.
• Honoring veterans by fully funding the Veterans Administration, building a Veterans’ hospital in Alaska, and offering veterans a special “health heroes card” to access health care in their own communities.
• Guaranteeing equal access for Alaska Natives by closing the federal funding gap for the Alaska Native health delivery system.

AFFORDABILITY & ACTION – CUT COSTS, FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND REFORM

Health care costs must be brought under control so Alaskans are not forced to choose between good health and putting the food on the table. As U.S. Senator, Begich will support initiatives to make health care affordable again through new and creative approaches:

• Mark Begich will support the expanded use of generic medicines in publicly-funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
• Mark Begich will use the clout of the Medicare and Medicaid programs to negotiate with drug companies to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Mark will also give seniors the option to buy prescriptions directly through Medicare.
• Mark Begich will fight for new and innovative solutions just as he has Anchorage mayor, including investing more in basic preventative care and wellness programs. He will also work to make sure every Alaska family has access to a family doctor by investing in primary care services, as well as support our health care workforce.

Read "High-Quality, Affordable Health Care Access for All Alaskans: The Begich Plan"

Read Begich's track record of support for better, smarter health care