Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, October 15, 2017

State falls short in protecting residents with disabilities

The Alaska government has equated creating new programs for the disabled with improved rights. And now Alaska is about 20 years behind best practices when it comes to protecting the disabled. That is our opinion based on the following facts:

The Alaska government has never produced a grievance procedure and appeal process law or regulation specifically designed for individuals with a cognitive disability (like in some other states). As of today, the Alaska government does not adequately require that assistance is provided to the disabled when they are filing a complaint. State law (AS47.30.847) only applies to some facilities and does not state when the patient advocates must be available.

What will it take to improve the rights for the disabled in Alaska to best practices?

In our opinion, for a start the Mental Health Trust Authority bylaws should be amended to require the establishment of a standing committee that would catalog the rights of the disabled and the number and type of complaints. Without the basic knowledge of beneficiaries' rights and complaints, the trust authority and the state will find it impossible to fund the advancement of quality of care for the disabled to best practices.

— Faith Myers and Dorrance Collins
mental health advocates
Anchorage

Selling firearms at gun shows: No background check needed

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An Oct. 13 letter mentioned I would be shocked to learn private citizens selling firearms at gun shows have no process for conducting background checks, and that such investigations can only be made by federally licensed dealers.

If I am shocked at all, it is that there has apparently been no effort by the state of Alaska or gun show participants themselves — perhaps working in conjunction with licensed dealers — to establish a mechanism for checking firearm buyers' backgrounds.

I suspect there is a way. What seems to be lacking is the will.

— Frank E. Baker
Eagle River

Seeing promise in the continuation of ADN

Like many, I have dreaded the seeming-demise of the ADN. Then I perused Section B on Tuesday, Oct. 10. It may have seemed "international" but it was also US (Alaskans). Please continue, ADN, I am here.

— Steven Williams
Anchorage

What will Walker do with money from shrunken PFDs?

Will someone explain to me what Gov. Walker plans to do with the $800 million from the PFD he hijacked from the citizens of Alaska?

— Geoff Armstrong
Anchorage

Voters should be able to join legislative insurance programs

With the signing of the new executive order and the stated position that being part of a larger group would provide access to a more competitive health insurance product even across state lines, I propose that every registered voter in the state of Alaska be eligible to join the legislative insurance programs as a member because as voters we are part of the governmental process and eligible to be part of the governmental insurance group.

Also if we are able to cross state lines to gain favorable insurance rates, my premise and position is every eligible voter and their dependents should be eligible to join any large governmental group that has a favorable insurance plan. I am not proposing universal health care; I am suggesting that every eligible voter have a choice to join these plans that are already in place. If our elected officials believe their insurance program is the best they can get, why not allow every one of their constituents to be part of their program also?

— Richard Onorato
Anchorage

Compassion in community speaks to Christian faith

Thank you Rev. Julia for saying what thousands of Christians are thinking and feeling. God is love and our faith asks us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

— Ann Spohnholz
Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

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