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

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Jun 25, 2012 at 8:01 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 26, 2012 at 9:00 AM AKDT

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.

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SAM HALL said on Monday, Apr 22 at 10:54 AM

This is the only Alaska media source that gives the very needed attention to the Alaska mental health conditions of todays time. It is not good at all as state funds have been cut here without enough now truly qualfied people in this field. Rhis should be a current andmuch tlaked about situation in the media...it is also treu of most states here today..yet nothing is done about this. There are people with very serious long standing menatl illness that are simply given back quickly to live in normal family situations that of course cannot cope with a family memeber with a serious long standing mental condtion..such as zoid parnoria situation.

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