Alaska: Alaska State Senate District G

Candidates

James Della Silva, Democrat
Lyda Green , Republican

Issues: Health Care Access | “Do Not Call” Legislation | Alaska Fiscal Plan |

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Question

If elected, what measures would you propose to increase the availability of health insurance coverage for Alaska’s 120,000 uninsured residents?

AARP Response

AARP supports measures to achieve access to affordable health coverage for individuals of all ages. 19.3% of Alaska’s residents are without any form of health insurance coverage. Many between the ages of 50 and 64 have no coverage, despite the fact that they are employed. Over 17,000 Alaskans (19.5%) in this age group have no health insurance at all. Likewise their children and grandchildren are, in many cases, uninsured even though the adults in the family are employed.

In Anchorage, 71% of the uninsured are employed by companies that do not offer coverage. Almost one-third of Alaska’s uninsured workers are employed by small firms. In addition, many Alaskans face high insurance costs due to pre-existing health conditions. These individuals cannot afford insurance on their own. Creating and expanding high-risk pools for uninsured people would allow those most in need to obtain health insurance.

In the absence of health care reform that provides national universal coverage, AARP supports developing health plans specifically for the uninsured and creating and expanding high-risk pools for uninsured people.

Issue	Yes	No	Unclear
Supports measures to expand health coverage for uninsured

Candidate Response: James Della Silva

If I am elected to the Senate I will insure that we have some form of health care program that will help off set the cost that is incurred when Medicare is used and if there is no Health care at all. We no longer should allow our older and those that are less fortunate that do not have a health care program have one that at least covers 99% of the cost of the care.

Candidate Response: Lyda Green

Before any programs are proposed, we need to first determine why any Alaska resident is without health insurance coverage. The causes could cover the gamut from costs, to personal preference, to absolute availability of both health care and insurability. Any solutions to this apparent gap in coverage should be made in a fiscally prudent and practical manner. One issue that must be addressed, in connection with your first question, is the spiraling cost to that state for Medicaid. These costs exceed 800 million annually and are increasing about 70 million per year, partly due to fraud and misrepresentation. We need to resolve this problem first.

Question

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide Alaska “Do Not Call” list? If a list were established, would you support or oppose penalties for telemarketers who do not use the list?

AARP Response

“Do Not Call” legislation protects consumer privacy by creating a statewide “Do Not Call” list that telemarketers must purchase before doing business in the State. Calls made to consumers on the list are a violation of the law. AARP believes “Do Not Call” laws give consumers more control over unsolicited intrusions into their homes, and help identify potentially fraudulent telemarketing phone calls, which are often targeted toward older people.

Currently, Alaskans can pay a fee to have a “black dot” listed next to their name in the telephone book. This black dot, which costs individual consumers anywhere from $6.00 to over $20.00, is intended to let telemarketers know they are not to solicit from that phone customer. Unfortunately, this method has proven to be largely ineffective. Despite numerous consumer complaints, there have been no fines levied on telemarketers in the last five years.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing a nationwide “Do Not Call” registry; however, this proposal would not cover calls made by common carriers, insurance companies, or banks. Furthermore, the FTC registry would not cover intrastate calls. AARP supports requiring all telemarketers to adhere to an effective “Do Not Call” list before doing business in the state, and supports imposing penalties on those whom do not adhere to the requirement.

Issue	Yes	No	Unclear
Supports creating “Do Not Call” list
Supports penalties for telemarketers not using the “Do Not Call” list

Candidate Response: James Della Silva

Yes we should set up a list for those that want to be exempt from being bothered by telemarketers and that the list should be private and not be sold and when someone on the list has been called a crime is being committed and should have penalties that are strong enough to stop its use and calls to those that do not want them. I totally support this issue.

Candidate Response: Lyda Green

Presently, for a nominal fee, residents can have a black dot placed beside their name in the phone book which indicates that they do not wish to have solicitors call them. I encourage individual efforts to eliminate unwanted solicitation. We need to compare the costs and benefits to the population in general of adding one more government program that will benefit only a few. Is it right to insist that government become more efficient and focus on priority issues and then turn around and create another special program. I need much more information on this.

Question

If elected, what measures will you propose to resolve Alaska’s fiscal situation? Please be specific in terms of cost reductions as well as methods to increase state revenue.

AARP Response

Alaska's revenues are projected to run $500-800 million short this year, due primarily to depressed oil revenues. Future years look to have deficits of $1 billion or more. In the past, the Legislature has dipped into the state's Constitutional Budget Reserve. The Reserve presently holds $2.3 billion, but will be depleted by 2004 if revenues and spending remain status quo. This could jeopardize programs that assist Alaska's residents, and even affect the Permanent Fund dividend.

AARP believes no one should bear a disproportionate burden in a budget crisis. States have a special obligation to protect older persons, children and families. It is the Gubernatorial candidates’ responsibility to tell Alaska's residents what their plans are to shape Alaska's budget. Shortfalls can encourage a reexamination of priorities. If revenues have to be increased, AARP prefers a tax which allows all Alaskans to shoulder an equitable share of the burden matched to their means.

Issue	Yes	No	Unclear
The specific plan includes equitable burden sharing of new taxes

Candidate Response: James Della Silva

We have ignored this problem for 10 years we can no longer afford to spend the reserve and cutting the budget has been a joke, because of how and whom the cuts have been made for those that have no say or stop the cuts no longer can happen, a mixture of taxes and some cuts that are in the best interest for all of the citizens. With talk of cuts to elderly, Longevity Bonus, a total elimination of all tax credits for the elderly and disabled is not an option. An income tax with exemptions for those over 65 and the disabled is the most fair tax and I will not use the PFD. What is fair for all the people is my goal.

Candidate Response: Lyda Green

It should be realized that government can always outspend revenues, whether that government is local, state, or national. This is an issue in just about every state. The key is discipline and responsibility on the part of the lawmakers and administration.

In Alaska, it has taken some time for the cost and size of government to be where it is today; therefore, it may take some time to reverse that. I am supportive of Senator Murkowski’s initiative to complete an audit of all state government departments to determine what programs can be improved to lower the cost of government to the people of Alaska. These changes will be made while considering the priorities of responsible government activities such as public safety and economic stimulation. A combination of this effort along with promotion of increased resource development should go a long way in resolving any budgetary problems.