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How Health Care Changes Might Affect Alaskans
Thursday, the Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on whether or not it's constitutional to require every American to purchase health insurance
By KTVA CBS 11 News
On Thursday, the Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on whether or not it's constitutional to require every American to purchase health insurance, as part of the Affordable Care Act passed by Congress back in 2010.
Jeff Ranf, president of Wallace Insurance Group said each year health care costs rise by about 8 to 15 percent across Alaska, depending on inflation.
He said it's too soon to tell what kind of impact the Affordable Care Act will have on the estimated 100,000 Alaskans who don't have health insurance and the people who already do.
Alaska is one of 26 states challenging the constitutionality of two major parts of the Affordable Care Act, which include the mandate that would require every American to buy health insurance by 2014, or pay a fine.
Ranf said one of the big issues still on the table is rural health care costs.
“You get out in the bush community, and they simply don't have access to health care, so a lot of people go untreated and it becomes super acute, and then they have to airlift them out,” he said.
Governor Parnell said his office plans to make a statement on Thursday after the Supreme Court makes its ruling.
