Alaska does not want government mandates in health care
Supporters of government mandates in health care want Alaskans to conclude that if we don't take the federal money that somehow we are not moving forward with health care initiatives in this state. That is false.
The federal government's 'one size fits all' health care mandates may have ended with the Florida court decision, but we will continue working to reshape our health care system to fit the unique needs of Alaskans.
Federal healthcare overreaches into Americans' private lives
I am pleased U.S. District Judge Vinson recognized that the Congress reached beyond its constitutional authority into the lives and freedom of Americans. While I am concerned about rising health care costs, solutions have to be constitutional.
Because the authority of Congress to enact the mandatory health insurance provisions has been ruled unconstitutional, I urge the federal government to suspend all efforts to implement these provisions until the U.S. Supreme Court decides the issue.
Supporters of government mandates in health care want Alaskans to conclude that if we don't take the federal money that somehow we are not moving forward with health care initiatives in this state. That is false. The federal government's 'one size fits
all' health care mandates may have ended with the Florida court decision (that the health care reform act is unconstitutional), but we will continue working to reshape our health care system to fit the unique needs of Alaskans.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release #5659
, Feb 17, 2011
Federal health care legislation diminishes our freedom
Federal health care legislation would force Alaskans to purchase health insurance, and tax us for years before the benefits are obtained. And it cuts Medicare to our seniors. This is bad policy. It diminishes our freedom.
For these reasons,
I have asked our attorney general to review and make recommendations for action, and I have joined many other governors in urging Congress to take a breath, listen to the people and do what is right.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
, Jan 20, 2010
