October 01, 2004
Friday

Alaska Democratic legislators called on Governor Murkowski Thursday to take urgent steps to alleviate the high cost of prescription drugs for Alaskans and Alaska's businesses.

With prescription drug costs continuing to consume a larger and larger portion of annual medical spending every year, action to reverse this trend is imperative. 

"Individual Alaskans and Alaskan businesses struggle with the high cost of health insurance, while the State budget balloons with the pressure of State employee health coverage," said Representative Eric Croft (D-Anchorage), "It is past time for the Governor to show leadership on this vital issue."

"Alaska has a great tradition of standing up to the Federal government when it comes to putting Alaska first," said Senator Bettye Davis (D-Anchorage),  "Prescription drug coverage should be no different."

Specifically, House and Senate Democrats call on the Governor to do the following:

•  Help Alaskans purchase safe prescriptions from Canada.  The state should start today helping Alaskans purchase safe prescriptions from Canada.  Web-based systems have helped hundreds of thousands in Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.
• Provide Prescription Access via Canada to State Employees.  Provide prescription medication to the 14,500 permanent employees of the State of Alaska via Canadian purchase for a significant reduction to our state budget.  A similar program in Minnesota will save $1.4 million annually for the state and $180/year for each employee.
• Stand up to the Federal Government on purchasing prescriptions.  Alaska has a great tradition standing up to the Federal government when it comes to what is best for Alaskans.  Prescription drug coverage is no different.  Stand up to the new Federal law prohibiting negotiating group pricing for Medicaid patients.

The time to act to reduce the burdensome cost of prescription drugs for Alaskans is now say the five Alaska Democratic legislators signing a letter to the Governor.

Letter to Gov. Murkowski dated September 30, 2004

Source of News:

Alaska Democrats
Web Site

 

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