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Current Topics
A white raven has appeared on the Kenai Peninsula. Alaska Public Media
“It’s an omen, or it’s a curse, or it’s a blessing, but mainly it’s ‘some sort of change is about in the world,’” he said. “Whether it’s good or bad depends on the tradition.”
U.S. Forest Service awards grants to boost Tongass logging. Alaska Public Media
The U.S. Forest Service awarded grants this summer that could help revitalize the logging industry in the Tongass National Forest. Two businesses in Southeast Alaska have received hundreds of thousands of dollars to retool their mills, which could help tackle housing shortages in local communities.
State of Art: Want a free Sydney Laurence print? Head to the Anchorage Library. Alaska Public Media
Former city mayor and the library’s namesake, Zachariah Joshua Loussac, left his collection of paintings by the famous landscape artist to the city of Anchorage to be displayed at the library.
Local Alaskan veteran service organizer considered top 50 in nation. Alaska's News Source
Bonnie Carroll, founder of the nonprofit Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.), was recently named one of the Nation’s Finest 50, a newly founded recognition initiative by one of the largest veterans services organizations in the United States — Nation’s Finest. Carroll founded T.A.P.S. after her husband, Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, was killed in a 1992 Army National Guard plane crash in Juneau and she realized there was a lack of resources for grieving military families.
Economy
A new 22-year high for prime-age workers. Axios
One of the best pieces of June numbers news was a new multidecade high in the share of people employed in their prime working years. (My comment: Sadly in Alaska we are still seeing working age people, and their families, leaving Alaska.)
New Options for Retirement Savings. National Council of State Legislatures
This is an important PODCAST for all ages to hear and consider.
Bear in a China shop. Axios
Imports from China to the U.S. totaled $130 billion over the four months from February through May. That's down 25% from $175 billion a year ago.
Both as a percentage of total imports and as a percentage of GDP, Chinese imports are now at the lowest they've been in 20 years. (My comment: This is good. US manufacturing ramp-up is a good thing for national security and our economy.)
The shrinking* trade deficit. Axios
Trade between the U.S. and China is shrinking, says Setser, but "the deep diversification of supply chains that is now sought by U.S. policy is only just starting."
Charted: Jobs record for women. Axios
Nationally: The share of women in their prime working years (ages 25-54) who are either working or looking for work is at a record high of 77.8% for the third consecutive month, per the jobs data out Friday.
(My comment: I asked Alaska Dept. of Labor about women’s employment numbers but…they don’t have any specific data at this time on women’s employment numbers.)
Fairbanks elementary school secures $8 million in federal grant money for renovations. Alaska Beacon
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District found a solution to renovate one elementary school: it’s been awarded a significant federal grant totaling $8 million. Governor Dunleavy vetoes school deferred maintenance funds for schools around the state.
States Face $334.3 Billion Shortfall Over 20 Years Due to Insufficient Retirement Savings. Pew Trusts
Although most Americans save for retirement through employer-provided plans, 56 million private sector workers lack access to such an opportunity to save at work. Many employers, particularly small businesses, find themselves unable to provide retirement benefits because of high startup costs and limited administrative capacity. And that leaves state governments grappling with a critical question: What happens when their residents don’t have enough money to retire?
Mexico is now the top U.S. trade partner. Axios
Mexico supplanted China this year as the United States' top trading partner. Why it matters: The milestone reflects a real shift in the dynamics of the global economy — away from prioritizing low prices and greater efficiency (via super fragile supply chains) to something more nuanced.
(My comment: Mexico is educating large numbers of engineers, especially in the geology track. Critical minerals are a top US need.)
Fisheries
Fish and Game says local setnet study may solve decades long struggle. Peninsula Clarion
A study of setnet harvest selectivity for sockeye and king salmon will be conducted by the Department of Fish and Game on a Kenai Peninsula setnet site. The study would test a new net design that is intended to better target “abundant” sockeye while reducing harvest on the “weaker” chinook, a Thursday press release from the department says.
Politics
Governor Dunleavy Signs HB 56, HB 112 At Ceremony In Soldotna. Radio Kenai
HB 112 is the culmination of a multi-year, collaborative effort with the Alaska Board of Pharmacy, and the Alaska Pharmacist Association aiming to modernize pharmacy statutes in the State of Alaska. Highlights of HB 112 include: authority for pharmacists to prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors, alignment of statute with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), and the addition of Board oversight of internet pharmacies.
Questions on minimum wage, paid sick leave and campaign funding could be heading to Alaska voters. Alaska Beacon
Proposed ballot measures would raise Alaska minimum wage, add mandatory paid sick leave, as well as limit campaign contributions and state spending on party candidate nominations.
Wyoming, Colorado to partner on developing carbon capture technologies. The Hill
The governors of Wyoming and Colorado signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday for interstate collaboration on the development of carbon capture technologies. The bipartisan partnership, signed by Govs. Mark Gordon (R-Wyo.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.), will explore the potential of these emerging tools to complement existing and future industries while boosting economic growth and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in both states.
Health Care
Would-be child care providers in remote Alaska say it's all but impossible to get a state license. Alaska Beacon
Kotzebue’s child care center closed more than a decade ago, and the community hasn’t had one since. Tracey Schaeffer and her daughter Bailey are trying to change that. They are tribally exempt child care providers through the Maniilaq Association of northwestern tribes, which would allow them to watch four children. But they’ve been working to get a state license, which would increase their capacity to 12 kids, since November and still haven’t gotten the certification they need to open their doors.
My Comment: This is because State can’t hire and retain adequate employees to provide services Alaskans want and need.
Most states plan to continue Medicaid Home and Community-Base flexibilities implemented during the Public Health Emergency. National Academy for State Health Policy
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), states received approval from the federal government to implement Appendix K amendments to 1915(c) home-and community-based waivers and 1115 demonstration waivers to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries were able to receive needed services during the pandemic. With the end of the COVID-19 PHE declaration on May 11, 2023, states must decide if and what types of flexibilities will be sustained long-term.
(My comment: The chart in this article isn’t totally accurate, partly because the Governor has not signed the bill yet. SB 57 was a Governor bill; I combined my SB 106 to make it more comprehensive. Together, when the Governor signs his own bill, it will do the things below.)
· Allow Medicaid payment to parents, spouses, and/or legally responsible individuals
· Increase Medicaid payment rates for direct care workers, such as personal care aides, home care aides, and/or certified nursing assistants — at least 22 states
· Add or expand assistive technology services, such as expanding definitions of assistive technology to include internet and remote support, developing assistive technology pilot programs, or raising spending limit caps
· Allow remote or virtual options to conduct evaluations, assessments, and person-centered service planning meetings
· Add an electronic method of signing required documents — at least 14 states
· Expand access to self-direction in addition to flexibilities on allowing payment to parents, spouses, relatives, and/or legally responsible persons
· Allow foster care homes to transition to home health homes
State Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation. National Academy for State Health Policy
You may not be aware of a behind-the-scenes cost-driver for your medications. The entities are called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM). They are the “middle man” in the transaction between you and the drug manufacturer. PBMs scoop up huge amounts of money that can had through drug discounts, given by manufacturers, that PBMs don’t passed on to you. PBMs also limit what they reimburse your pharmacist for the medication dispensed to you, pocketing the difference themselves. PBMs are $Billion corporations. They make more profit than oil companies, but few people are aware of them.
In 2018, then Rep. David Guttenburg and I accomplished passage of HB 240, a bill I had worked on for the previous 5 years. It reined in PBMs in Alaska. But…PBMs have found work-arounds and continue to threaten the financial viability of our independent pharmacies. That’s why, this year I’ve introduced SB 121 to limit these hidden thieves even more.
Congress is also advancing pharmacy benefit manager legislation in the 2023 session. The chart in the below article provides a snapshot of common provisions in state PBM legislation through 2022. To learn more about each provision, check out the overview table below the chart, which includes definitions and a list of states that have passed legislation with each provision.
Passage of my bill, SB 121, and the federal work by Congress, would result in significant savings to all citizens for prescription medications.
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