LETTER: Senator needs to hear from Valley on health care

To the editor:

Why isn’t there more media attention coming from the Valley borough and its constituents in regard to the upcoming health care bill? Within the past week, crowds have gathered outside Sen Lisa Murkowski’s office in downtown Anchorage, and there has been a rally downtown: the Walking Dead Health Care demonstration. I encourage Mat-Su residents to continue to mobilize — or at least urge Murkowski to uphold the ACA by calling her office or writing letters.

It seems one in four Alaskans relies on Medicaid; so Medicaid expansion has been a huge accomplishment for the State, especially for low-income earners. As the Republicans continue to draft the health care bill, I urge the Mat-Su constituents to call Sen. Murkowski and voice their concerns for the future of healthcare in the state of Alaska. Personally, It would be interesting to see some personal stories coming from the Valley, such as ones regarding Medicaid beneficiaries and those that use Planned Parenthood services in Anchorage. Sen. Murkowski needs to hear from her constituency in the Valley — and how the health care vote could impact their health care. It’s imperative for the people within the Mat-Su Borough voice their grievances about the upcoming health care decision. Certainly, this replacement bill would reduce federal Medicaid dollars, Title X funds — as well as “defund” Planned Parenthood which would severely limit women’s health care and reproductive-related services. If the Senate's Better Care Reconciliation Act passes it will mean tax cuts for the rich at the expense of those that are most vulnerable. It’s a joke that the bill is named the Better Care Reconciliation act because it will bring no resolve for Alaskan families.

— Cordially,

Susan Fried