Alaska News

Our view: Resolution for 2010

In the most recent round of the health care debate, letter writers and others have ripped Sen. Mark Begich for defying the will of the majority of Alaskans and voting for the health care reform bill. They argue he's a tool for the Democratic leadership first, a voice for Alaskans second. Others have accused Sen. Lisa Murkowski of marching in lockstep with the GOP leadership, embracing the policy of "no" and serving her political interests to the point of doing nothing about ever-increasing health care costs and the plight of millions without insurance.

In fact, our senators appear to be voting based on what they believe.

Senator Begich campaigned as an advocate for health care reform. He told voters he would "fight for high-quality, affordable access for all Alaskans." He endorsed expanding Medicare to those aged 55 to 64 and letting ordinary citizens buy into the health plan offered to members of Congress. His Alaska critics may not like those stands, but candidate Begich was candid about them, and he won the election.

Critics can disagree with his take on the health care bill approved by the Senate -- that it will cover uninsured Alaskans and other Americans, spare most small businesses, cut the deficit and medical costs and keep Medicare alive. But to accuse him of betraying the majority of Alaskans in order to toe the line for Sen. Harry Reid is nonsense.

Senator Murkowski has said from early on in the debate that she thinks health care issues are far too complex and unwieldy for a massive, one-shot bill. She prefers a more conservative, piecemeal approach. She doesn't think the Senate bill that passed will do what the Democrats say it will do but believes it will raise taxes and premiums and make care more costly for Alaskans.

Is Senator Murkowski merely serving the party line, against her beliefs?

Hardly. As early as 2003, before Alaskans elected her to a full term, Senator Murkowski told the Alaska Legislature she preferred using tax credits to expand health insurance coverage.

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While expressing concern about the uninsured in her speech to lawmakers, she said "I want to be clear. I am not advocating a national health plan run by the government." Four years ago, she signed on to a Republican health care bill similar to the alternatives her party is offering today.

Of course politics plays a part in the decision-making of both of our senators. So does money, as in campaign contributions -- but that's a subject for another day.

The point is that there are no acts of betrayal going on in the health care vote. There is deep disagreement. There's party loyalty, but not the blind kind. The senators generally work from different political philosophies. Begich is a Democrat for a reason. He's at home there. Likewise for Murkowski and the GOP.

Alaskans elected both to the Senate.

That reflects the simple fact that Alaskans don't speak with just one voice. Red state overall? Yes. Red only? No.

As for arguments that Begich is obliged to vote with the majority of polled Alaskans who oppose the health care bills, that's just flat wrong. Begich and Murkowski should and will consider what pollsters find. But their obligation to Alaskans is to vote in a way that will best serve Alaskans, as they honestly see it. If that crosses the majority view, so be it. They're senators, not puppets for their constituents.

Alaskans who disagree with their decisions can make their views known at the next election.

BOTTOM LINE: On health care, Senators Murkowski and Begich have voted their convictions. That's the way they should vote.

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