Unfortunately the legislation remains fatally flawed because it (1) significantly reduces Medicaid- both the basic program that has existed for years, as well as the expansion made optional under the ACA; and (2) does away via the Cruz amendment with guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions.

While some sweeteners have been thrown in for Alaska, there are 2 problems.  First, many more Alaskans will be affected by the loss of Medicaid and pre-existing coverage than will be helped by the Alaska-specific provisions.  Moreover, one of the major Alaska provisions is only effective as long as costs in Alaska are 75% more than the national average.  If costs in Alaska drop to 74% or less of the national average, the extra federal funds disappear.

The proposed legislation remains a bad deal for Alaska. Our 
Senators should stand up for Alaska and oppose this bill, and then do what they can to truly fix the problems in the current system to actually improve coverage for Alaskans.