Social Issues

Health - As someone who has helped to create successful health care groups like the Alaska Heart Institute and the Anchorage Women's Clinic, I know we have a wide range of heath care solutions available to Alaskans. Hospitals like Providence, Fairbanks Memorial, Alaska Regional, and Bartlett Regional have grown significantly in the range of services now offered in state. Alaska Tribal organizations are today delivering award winning health care services to rural and Native Alaskans. But our seniors, especially in Anchorage, are finding it difficult to access primary care physicians, because Medicare reimbursement is inadequate to even allow the doctor to break even.

Medicare - The Alaska Commission on Aging says the number of Alaskans age 65 and older grew 49.6 per cent over the last decade, a faster rate than in any other state. The Commission predicts the number of people in this age group to double in the next 15 years. And, the fastest growing age group in Alaska is those over 85. For these seniors to remain in Alaska, they need access to primary care, the gateway to all other health care in Alaska.

Clinical models are currently in place and under development that will help assure our seniors have the care they need. But for seniors who would like to be able to continue seeing the physician they have seen most of their life, the solution may take an act of Congress. Medicare has a specific prohibition on a practice called "balance billing" where the patient pays both their co-pay amount and any difference between what the doctor normally charges and the maximum allowable charge as determined by Medicare. Unlike insurance companies who pay based on the market rate (usual and customary rate) in the community, Medicare bases its charge on a complex formula that is only partially market based.

For seniors who may either be unable or unwilling to pay an amount above the co-pay amount, facilities like the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Clinic are providing good primary care services under a clinical model. But for seniors who don't want to lose their long time primary care providers - allowing balance billing could be a simple fix to the problem Alaskans are experiencing in the Anchorage market and to similar circumstances in several cities across the country.

Public Safety - Ensuring safe communities all around the state is an absolute top priority for me. A state as large as Alaska has many public safety challenges that need constant focus and attention, from curbing domestic violence, child abuse and alcohol abuse, to ensuring we are prepared to meet emergencies of all kinds.

Recent responses by the State of Alaska to emergencies in Yukon River villages from flooding and food shortages was simply inadequate last year. Alaskans should never allow our residents to be forced to choose between feeding their families and heating their homes in the middle of an Alaskan winter.

Rural Alaskans also have a right to feel safe in their homes. Alaska should build on the village public safety officer (VPSO) program to significantly improve basic law enforcement in rural areas. Today Alaska has just 60 VPSO's across 200 villages. The State of Alaska should partner with Tribal organizations, where appropriate capacity exists, to help rural Alaskans be safe.

Reproductive freedom - We'd all like to see fewer abortions but I unequivocally support and will defend a woman's right to choose and her right to freely access other reproductive services.

Guns - I'm a gun owner, and I support the 2nd amendment and the right of Alaskans to carry weapons. The right to carry weapons is very important especially in rural Alaska, where Alaskans depend on wild game resources for food and need weapons for protection. However, I don't support the right to carry concealed weapons in bars - alcohol and guns don't mix well; or in workplaces - that should be up to the employer.

Gay rights - All Alaskans deserve equal rights and the right to be free from discrimination. I support equal rights for everybody. Everyone should be treated with respect.

More on Bob's position on equality for all:
http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/916563.html

God - I respect everyone's right to worship, or not, as they choose. I support separation of church and state.

Death penalty - I oppose the death penalty because it is expensive, ineffective in deterring crime, has been applied in a racially unjust manner, and lowers us to the level of the people we would punish.