Senator Murkowski cites ISER study in statement about the health care bill

As reported on KTUU Channel 2 News on Sunday, Dec. 6:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski released a statement Saturday about the health care bill under debate in the U.S. Senate, calling it a "poor fit" for Alaska.

Citing a study of the Democrats' bill by the University of Alaska Anchorage's Institute of Social and Economic Research(http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/), Murkowski says nearly 28,000 Alaskans would see their health care premiums rise if it were passed.

"Because Alaska is a high-cost state, many more people in Alaska will become subject to the bill's excise tax on health benefits sooner rather than later," Murkowski said in her statement.

ISER says Alaska's situation is different from that of other states, because Medicare seniors and the disabled already face restrictions in access to primary care.

Read the full study, "Response to Questions: Analysis of Potential Effects on Alaska of Proposed Health-Care Reform Legislation (PDF)," here.