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Saturday
November 16, 2013
Above the Clouds
"May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." - Edward Abbey
A recent November day, blue skies and puffy clouds over Ketchikan as viewed from Deer Mountain.
Front Page Photograph By CHARLES HABERBUSH ©2013
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Alaska: Governor Says No to Medicaid Expansion in Alaska By MARY KAUFFMAN - Citing the failure of Obamacare, the enormous current and future Medicaid costs to Alaska, and greater uncertainty about the federal government’s ability to pay its share, Governor Parnell announced Friday he will not seek to expand Medicaid health coverage for the poor in Alaska.
Enacted in 1965, Medicaid is a joint federal & state program that provides health care insurance to low-income persons whose income and resources are insufficient to pay for health care.
Along with his announcement, the $80,000 Alaska Medicaid Expansion Cost Study, the subject of numerous public record requests, was also released. The study was provided to the state in April; however, all requests for public release of the study were refused by the administration, asserting the 60-page report was part of the administration's decision-making process and secret until a decision was made.
The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Hospital and Nursing Home Association, Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage NAACP, Alaska Bush Caucus, Senator Begich, Byron Mallott, and some 1,400 Alaska petitioners had urged Parnell to expand Medicaid.
Governor Parnell said when announcing his decision, “Obamacare has failed to launch, is failing to deliver on its promises, and remains in disarray. Expanding one of its largest, most costly parts will undoubtedly negatively impact Alaskans.” The Governor said, “More people are losing their insurance policies and paying higher premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs. Some Obamacare deadlines have been extended, while others have not, unbundling Obamacare’s package of interdependent trade-offs. As a result, health care is becoming less affordable and less accessible, as we witness what appears to be the destruction of the private insurance market.”
Medicaid is already one of Alaska’s biggest and most costly government programs noted the Governor. At a cost of $1.5 billion per year, the program covers approximately 140,000 Alaskans, which averages to roughly $11,000 per Alaskan covered. By 2020, without Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, Alaska’s current Medicaid program costs are expected to grow from $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion. With the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, Alaska’s Medicaid costs will skyrocket.
“Effectively, the State’s operating budget would then revolve around the expanded Medicaid program,” Governor Parnell said. “This decision has to be about setting policy that helps the poor, without saddling future generations with the debt and risk. Attaching a costly Medicaid expansion to a flagging national health care program is like buying a high-priced ticket on a sinking ship. If Obamacare rights itself in the years ahead, and begins to deliver on its promises of more affordable and accessible health care for all, the State of Alaska can reevaluate whether to expand Medicaid in this way.”
Governor Parnell announced the creation of an Alaska Medicaid Reform Advisory Group to address Medicaid’s structural issues and propose meaningful reforms to the State’s Medicaid program. The group will address three key reform mandates: Stability and predictability in budgeting; Increasing the efficiency of navigating the system by providers; and Providing whole care for the patient by uniting physical and behavioral health treatment.
The Governor said the State remains committed to funding the safety net of health care services already available to people below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). The State will also work to better communicate with income-eligible Alaskans about health care services available to them now at no cost. Governor Parnell has been meeting with health care providers from across Alaska, discussing the adequacy of Alaskans’ safety net and the level of uncompensated care providers give to those in need.
The governor has also directed the commissioner of Health and Social Services to develop a report defining the current status of Alaska’s safety net for those non-Medicaid-eligible Alaskans up to 100 percent of the FPL. Additionally, the commission is to report on the linkage between uncompensated care by providers, and higher health costs and premiums for Alaskans.
Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Commissioner Bill Streur said in a prepared statement, "It is imperative that we know more about the people who make up this category — who they are, their health care needs, and whether the current services available to them are being utilized or if different services need to be created. The state remains committed to funding the safety net of health care services and to improving the delivery of those services in the most efficient and cost-effective way."
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Streur said the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is in the process of developing an improved communications plan in the Division of Public Assistance directly targeted at those Alaskans who are the most vulnerable and who are in need of accessing the programs and services offered by the state and federal governments. He said in the months ahead, Health & Social Services will execute the communications plan, and will strive to better identify and inform income-eligible Alaskans about the services available to them at little or no cost.
U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) said in a prepared statement, “Governor Parnell’s announcement [Friday] means he is denying health insurance to as many as 40,000 Alaskans, which at the start is free to the state and eventually would cost no more than 10 cents on the dollar. Aside from the obvious health benefits to Alaska families, the state Chamber of Commerce urged the governor to expand the program because it is also the right thing to do for Alaska businesses and the economy. Without the expansion, people who cannot afford insurance will continue to get their health care needs met in hospital emergency rooms across the state - the most expensive way to get health care. Those costs will continue to be passed on to all other Alaskans.”
“Governor Parnell just told 40,000 Alaskans to go fend for themselves when it comes to finding health coverage,” said Mike Wenstrup, Chairman of the Alaska Democratic Party. “This decision ignores the very clear economic benefits of expanding Medicaid in favor of playing more politics with Alaskans’ lives.” - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Fish Factor: Shrimp, canned tuna and salmon topped list of 10 most popular seafoods By LAINE WELCH - Americans remained true to their seafood favorites last year with shrimp, canned tuna and salmon topped the list of the 10 most popular seafoods.
That’s according to the National Fisheries Institute which compiles the list each year based on data from the government’s US Fisheries Report.
Following the top three are tilapia, Alaska pollock, Pangasius, crab, cod, catfish and clams.
Looking more closely at the numbers shows that for the first time in five years, crab consumption began to increase again after a steady decline since 2007. Perhaps the biggest trend revealed in the top 10 list is that “whitefish” surpassed shrimp as the largest single seafood category, said market expert John Sackton. Whitefish consists of cod, pollock, tilapia, Pangasius and domestic catfish. Combined consumption of those fish soared 6.2%, while shrimp fell 9.5%.
As a result, whitefish as a category now is higher than shrimp in terms of US per capita consumption. The growth in whitefish is driven by farmed tilapia and Pangasius. Cod saw a small increase, while pollock and domestic catfish declined.
Also declining – Americans ate slightly less seafood overall last year at 14.6 pounds per person, compared to 15 pounds in 2011. One bright note: Each person ate just over two pounds of salmon, a 3.5% increase. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
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Alaska Science: The Glacier(s) of Attu By Ned Rozell - In late August, seabird biologist John Piatt paused from his task of “stealin food from baby puffins” to look up at the green mountains of Attu, the last
island in the long sweep of the Aleutians.
A small, seldom-seen glacier on the far-west island of Attu.
Photo by
John Piatt.
Pasted to the side of 3,000-foot Attu Mountain was a snowfield with a dirty
band of ice. Piatt, a U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center scientist
working on Savage Islanda small island off the southern coast of Attu, pulled
out his camera. He took a telephoto shot of what he suspected was a glacier.
Then he went back to his work of using tufted puffins as samplers of the tiny
fish they catch and feed their young. By blocking the entrance of puffin
nesting burrows with wire screen, Piatt causes returning adults to drop their
fish so he can see what they are.
Weeks later, far from Attu, Piatt blew up his photo on computer and pinpointed
its location on Google Earth. He found the body of ice was stuck to the largest
peak on the island.
“If there was going to be a glacier on Attu, that’s where you would
expect it,” he said.
He then opened a copy of the USGS publication Glaciers of Alaska and looked for
mention of glaciers on Attu. He found none, and felt the flush of finding
something neat.
“I felt that I had discovered a new glacier,” Piatt said recently from his home
in Port Townsend, Washington. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Columns - Commentary
 JEFF LUND: The road back home - Fourteen years ago I left Prince of Wales Island, and though I kept my Alaska license for the college years, I was gone.
I only intended to come home once in a while, preferably when the salmon were running. But each summer, home burrowed into me a little more. The simplicity, the clean water, the salty air and people using friendlier non-verbal gestures while driving were parts of an extensive list of reasons to move back.
On September 27th I taught my last day of English, yearbook and journalism at East Union High School in Manteca, California. I’d been there just over 10 years, but with a serious surgery and possible lengthy recovery looming for a family member, I packed up my life in fish boxes and blue totes and drove north, unemployed, and pretty sure I was making the right decision. As I put more miles between me and my previous life, I was still only pretty sure it was the right thing to do.
But after two days home, I was sure. There is no question. All it takes is a three minute drive and I’m at the river with black bears, ganging up on salmon. Ten minutes and I’m walking lake edges jump shooting ducks. Or not. Maybe I’m just watching the tide creep in while sheets of rain and sunshine fight for weather dominance. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
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 Random Acts of Kindness By Julia Zink-Kubley -
I am along time resident of Ketchikan, born and raised here. It was on a cold and raining day this week while sewing in my Sew Suite and recovering from a (mild) case of the shingles that a young lady knocked at my door. She explained that it was her birthday and that to celebrate she was doing random acts of kindness. She handed me a large gift bag with necessary items in it. I thanked and wished her a Happy Birthday and waved to the group of friends down on the sidewalk. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
The Arctic Opens Up By Donald A. Moskowitz - The article "Icy Frontier" in the October 2013 Military Officer magazine outlines the need for the U.S. to become more involved in the Arctic region. - More....
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Rain Gauge By Sheri Robertson -
It's incredible how much money Ketchikan individuals pay out for nonsense items and I believe this is one of them. Like paying $96,000.00 for a Rain Gauge, REALLY...????? - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Rain Gauge By Laura Plenert -
Perhaps the "$95,000.00 Rain Gauge debacle" will replace our spot on the map as the "bridge to nowhere" town. Nothing wrong with the old one. Thousands of people love it and have their pictures taken in front of. I'm betting they would continue to take their pictures in front of it. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Rights of Persons with Disabilities By Debbie Nance - We’ve just celebrated Veterans Day where we honored men and women who fought to preserve freedom and the sovereignty of the United States. I am so thankful for what they do and have done.
It has come to my attention that our US Senators are considering passage of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and that both of our Alaska US Senators support the ratifying of this dangerous treaty. This treaty essentially threatens the sovereignty of the United States, one of the things that our Veterans fought hard for. This treaty would give the United Nations authority over US citizens. It would give the UN the right to make laws that would supersede US laws. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
The Philippines' Wild Wild West By Joey Garcia -
The recent rampaging typhoon, triple that of Katrina, name Yolanda within the Philippines area of responsibility,. or Haijan internationally, tested the 1,107 island group in their skills, not only with the present political scandal called the Pork Barrel Scam that up to the present, the Senate investigative arm called the Blue Ribbon Committee seemed helpless against a woman dubbed as the queen of this pork barrel scam operations, and the diplomatic covers of named 3 Senators and 12 members of Congress. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Alexander Archipelago Wolves By Rebecca Noblin -
Thank you very much for your good story about our Alexander Archipelago wolf letter. I have one point of correction. You correctly note that we assert the wolf “is a unique Alaska subspecies of gray wolf.” But in the next paragraph you say, “Not everyone agrees that the Alexander Archipelago wolves are a unique species.” We are not arguing that they are a unique species, but a unique subspecies of the gray wolf. And as you go on to point out, the state of Alaska agrees that the Alexander Archipelago wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf. There is agreement all around on this point. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
Last U.S.lead processing smelter and Affordable Health Care Act By A. M. Johnson-
Recently a letter of concern regarding the eminent closing of the last U.S. lead processing plant due to overbearing EPA edicts was submitted to Representative Don Young requesting a response preferably by email as that is a requirement of the Representative's web site to facility submitting a letter to his attention. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013
The Skatepark is Happening! By Bob Fultz -
The Shane Howard White Memorial Skatepark is nearing completion. After years in the making, Ketchikan is about to become the proud owners of a 21st Century skatepark that meets the criteria of all skaters - skateboarders, inline skaters and scooters. Best of all, a 24/7 streaming web camera system will make use of the park totally transparent, available at any time—promoting safe and appropriate usage - accessible for your viewing pleasure by going to www.kyiyouth.org from the convenience of your computer or smart phone. Very nice huh! - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013
Thank you By Kathy Paulson -
I hiked the Carlanna Lake Trail this morning and was once again reminded how lucky we are to live here. Thank you to all involved in building and maintaining our trail system. I appreciate being able to hike so close to town. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013
New Rain Gauge By D.A. Johnson -
I read with interest the plan to replace the rain gauge on the dock for $96,000.00. How a panel of local Arts people decided to hire some artist from somewhere overseas to paint it and erect it. Is this town INSANE? People talk about out of control spending on the Federal level, and it is right here in Ketchikan. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013
Open Letter: Obamacare - NOT AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACT - By Laura Plenert - I am a normal, average, healthy American/ Alaskan. I have paid for my own Health Insurance for the past 4 years as a conscience choice. It has gone up incrementally each year with NO changes in coverage. I CHOSE the plan, it suited me had everything I wanted/needed, it was affordable and it met my needs (I DO NOT NEED OR WANT PRENATAL OR CHILDBIRTH COVERAGE AND DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I WILL NEVER USE). - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013
RE: Affordable Care Act By Norm Noggle -
As we have seen, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has been less than stellar. Yes, there are people who are going to pay more as the act stands now. Is that a good reason to throw out an entire law that has been voted on and approved by the Senate, House, and President. I don't think so. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013
KTUU By Robert Finlay -
As a locum tenens practitioner, frequenting these communities, it has been only a negative experience I have had with GCI. They do not seem to play nicely with anybody. My AT&T iPhone doesn’t work due to greed, and despite paying dearly for the use of phone, and supposedly getting cable news, at least they did not replace KTUU with FOX NEWS. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013
Harley Riders 2013 Dinner By James Schenk -
On Saturday, November 9th, Ketchikan Harley Riders will be putting on our 2013 Spaghetti dinner with an auction to follow. - More...
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
RE: Open Letter: Affordable Care Act By Marvin Seibert -
I'm appalled at a group of Doctors in Alaska supporting the destruction of our Health Care system by way of Obamacare. There is nothing affordable about this and it was passed with lies and deceit by our current President, Barack Hussein Obama! - More..
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
Re: Affordable Care? By Alan R. McGillvray -
Affordable care, to whom is it affordable? Only to a Senior Citizen who is getting most if not all his medical expenses paid by some one else, even if his 'diabetic test strips' were costing him $75.00 to $100.00 a month. Which, because he is on Medicare, some one else is picking up the costs of his testing supplies. - Mor..
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
Obamacare By Duane Hill -
I don't see how those praising Obamacare can say anything about it. Hardly anyone has been able to sign up for it and nobody has had time for their claims to be processed, and add to that time the 3 to 7 days it takes for a letter to be printed here. These letters to the editor are either speculation or lies. - More..
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
Re: No More Traditional Paper Marine Charts By Donita O'Dell -
Paper copies of charts will still be available as POD (print on demand) and from NOAA-certified third parties (complete with updates!). NOAA is ending production of the traditional litho versions because they have declined in popularity as more convenient options (for hard-copy as well as digital) have emerged. - More...
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
Gun Free zones and other things By A. M. Johnson -
Small snippet of data gathering. Could be interesting to your readers then again, depending on political leaning, maybe not. I found them informative and useful in future discussions on gun control. - More...
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
Federal tax system "abominable" By Wiley Brooks -
The Tax Foundation has released a report providing an eye-opening look at many facets of the federal tax system - which the foundation calls "abominable."
The report is titled "Putting a Face on America's Tax Returns: A Chart Book."
The Foundation states: "The income tax system in the United States is a sprawling mass of provisions spread across dozens of volumes and has been called everything from a 'disaster' to an 'abomination.'
"It takes Americans as many as seven billion work hours every year just to complete the paperwork required. The IRS' own National Taxpayer Advocate estimates that it costs individual and corporate taxpayers more than $165 billion annually to comply with the income tax code.
"In order to figure out what we need to fix, we need to understand how the system works now. We've compiled this chart book to not only 'put a face on American taxpayers,' but to provide some must-know background information on the key issues of the tax reform debate." - More...
Thursday AM - November 07, 2013
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