Profit should never trump people

We’ve heard a lot of talk in political circles lately about being “open for business” as a state and a borough.

Will this or that road upgrade be good for business? Is this law good for business? Will the oil industry really invest if we pass a new law lowering its tax rates?

We’re also hearing much less talk about how any of this, or whether any of this, is good for us as U.S. citizens and Alaskans.

It’s concerning to see and hear our elected officials put the bottom line of businesses ahead of human concerns like life and safety.

It’s unfortunate that concern for business profits also seemed to be the motivation behind Rep. Wes Keller’s decision to stall Senate Bill 74 in the House Health and Social Services Committee until Saturday, during the final hours of the 90-day session. The bill would require some autism coverage under insurance plans.

Parents of autistic children, including Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, described the ordeal they endure now trying to afford treatment without insurance coverage. Saddler said for his family that has included refinancing their home and borrowing money from family.

Standing in opposition is the National Federation of Independent Businesses and insurer Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. They say the bill is unfair because it only covers private insurers and would harm the economy by increasing insurance costs by as much as 3 percent, according to Premera’s Sheela Tallman.

We are grateful that Keller changed tack in the 11th hour and let the bill move forward to the next step in the legislative process, but no single person should ever feel it proper to thwart the political process and the wishes of hundreds of Alaskans in the name of what’s good for business.

Our elected officials represent us, we the people, not business interests.

We run a small business. We provide insurance to employees. We have watched our costs climb and coverage shrink like everyone else. Something has to be done to help us all afford access to health care — whether your child has autism or asthma.

We don’t know what the answer is, but we encounter the problem routinely when our neighbors call asking for help promoting another fundraiser for another neighbor who can’t afford stomach surgery, cancer treatments, brain surgery or a needed double hip replacement.

We have five or six of these stories waiting to be written. We also worry readers will grow tired of such pleas for help. That we help each other is certainly one of the best parts of life in the Mat-Su, but this can’t be the answer.

Bake sales, spaghetti feeds, garage sales and car washes can’t be the long-term solution to affordable access to health care.

For better or worse, health care is a for-profit endeavor, and as a business, we appreciate the need to make a profit. But profit should never be allowed to trump what’s best for we the little people.