Increase Alzheimers funding
In 2015, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, including 6,400 in Alaska. In addition, there are 15.7 million Americans caring for someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia, including 33,000 caregivers in Alaska. This debilitating disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.
Having watched my mother and three of her sisters battle Alzheimer's before passing away, I know that the impact of this disease is devastating. The experience of watching Alzheimer's rob loved ones of their ability to communicate, recall treasured memories, follow daily routines and recognize those they love is immensely painful.
In addition to the human toll, Alzheimer's takes a financial toll, costing an estimated $226 billion in 2015.
The New England Journal of Medicine has called Alzheimer's the most expensive disease in the country, and Alzheimer's is expected to cost the nation more than $1.1 trillion over the next generation. These costs include a fivefold increase in government spending under Medicare and Medicaid and a nearly fivefold increase in out-of-pocket spending. Nearly one in five Medicare dollars spent today is on people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In 2050, it will be one in three dollars.
To change the trajectory of Alzheimer's, we must take bold steps now toward finding the needed treatments, prevention and one day a cure. The urgency is clear. Alzheimer's can't wait.
Please contact Sen. Dan Sullivan and Sen. Lisa Murkowski and ask them to support the proposed $350 million increase in funding for Alzheimer's research for fiscal year 2016.
-- Cindy Harris
Alzheimer's Association Alaska ambassador
Soldotna
Oil tax study is welcome
Two recent news items have made me realize our state legislators are listening to citizen concerns.
First, the news that Sen. Cathy Giessel has convened a legislative group to study the oil tax credit issue is welcome. We can't afford to hand out more than we take in from production taxes.
Second, a decision to hire a Virginia firm to make recommendations for improving state administration of Medicaid indicates that our legislators are now willing to work on money-saving solutions rather than only insisting the system is broken. Other red states like North Carolina have already been doing this. I'm glad we are coming on board.
I commend them for these efforts.
-- Jon Sharpe
Anchorage
Jenkins gets his facts wrong
Former U.S. Sen. Patrick Moynihan famously said, "You are entitled to your own opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts." Paul Jenkins asserts that the "left" (it's unclear of whom he speaks, especially because his assertions can't be linked to any facts) wants to impose new taxes on the people of Alaska.
If one Googles "Basis and Alaska" and searches the "subject" link, it is easy to see a list of bills filed in the 29th Legislature that raise revenue. There are two bills that would take money directly from the wallets of Alaskans. Neither is sponsored or co-sponsored by a Democrat or Independent. They are Republican measures.
Jenkins next asserts that the "left" wants to raid the Permanent Fund earnings. Your readers might remember that the Democrats and Independents unanimously opposed a raid on those earnings. Rather, the indisputable facts are that it was the majority that seriously considered a raid on the earnings, not the Democrats and Independents. Further, a bill that would revamp how the Earnings Reserves are used (indeed, how the Permanent Fund itself operates) has a Republican sponsor and co-sponsor. Again, no Democrats and Independents have their fingerprints on that bill either.
Fundamentally, Mr. Jenkins seems to be under the misapprehension that Democrats and Independents have controlled the Alaska Legislature since 1992. While there was some power sharing in the Senate three years ago (a time when much was accomplished, including the saving of more than $15 billion), the House has been solidly in Republican hands since 1992.
While it's flattering to hear that my caucus runs the Alaska Legislature, I get the sense that the majority mostly controls the solutions to our financial future and any means of paying for those solutions. Fortunately, there are wise Republicans like Rep. Steve Thompson, who identified that, if our state budget is cut too drastically, the Legislature could contribute to throwing the economy into recession. Mr. Jenkins may want to consider that possibility.
Finally, if Mr. Jenkins's criticism is aimed at the Walker administration's Revenue officials, I applaud those public officials for at least sharing with us what our options are and reminding us that if every state employee were fired (leaving Gov. Walker alone, wondering where everyone went), we would still have about a $2 billion annual deficit.
-- Rep. Andy Josephson
Anchorage
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