Legislator recovering from heart attack

ANCHORAGE -- Palmer legislator Scott Ogan remained in critical condition in the coronary care unit of Providence Alaska Medical Center as this paper went to press Thursday.

The Republican House representative suffered a heart attack last Saturday at his Lazy Mountain home.

Ogan's condition has improved slightly since he was admitted to Providence, according to Dan Saddler, House majority press secretary.

"There has been no great change, but there has been some improvement," Saddler said Wednesday afternoon.

Physicians reportedly removed an intra-aortic balloon pump Tuesday, according to Linda Hay, Ogan's legislative chief of staff.

The intra-aortic pump was installed after the heart attack to assist the heart in pumping.

Hay said that while doctors are using technology to help Ogan breathe, rest and heal, he is not dependent on life support equipment for survival.

Ogan was at home last Saturday, preparing to accept the Alaska Outdoor Council's (AOC) "Legislator of the Year" award at the council's annual meeting, held in Palmer.

The lawmaker was taken by ambulance from his home to Valley Hospital in Palmer and was then transported by helicopter to Providence in Anchorage. News of Ogan's sudden ailment spread quickly at the AOC gathering, which featured a forum for candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.

"My strong right arm in the House is in trouble," state Sen. Robin Taylor, R-Wrangell, told the audience during his turn at the podium.

Taylor and other candidates expressed their concern for Ogan's health and support for his family, offering prayers on his behalf.

On the floor of the Alaska House on Wednesday, members expressed their concern and support before voting unanimously to pass House Joint Resolution 44, a measure Ogan had introduced as chair of the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas to encourage construction of a natural gas pipeline that would bring the maximum benefit to the state and residents of Alaska.

Ogan represents House District 27, which includes Palmer, Sutton, Chickaloon and Sheep Mountain. According to Saddler, Ogan's absence isn't causing an interruption in representation for his constituents.

"I've been at this for about seven years and I can tell you that the legislative offices continue to operate at about 95 percent even when this sort of thing happens," Saddler said.

Ogan has three staff members in Juneau to help constituents.

House members are each allotted one staff member and a receptionist. Committee chairs such as Ogan have one additional staff member assigned to them.