Latest news, alerts, and events.
Latest news, alerts, and events.
Here at Foraker we are following the current healthcare debate in Congress with concern about its impact on the nonprofit sector and the Alaskans we serve. Foraker’s President/CEO Laurie Wolf summarized those concerns in an email she sent earlier this week to Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Congressman Young. Laurie wrote:
As you know, The Foraker Group is the nonprofit voice for Alaska. In that role, I am strongly urging you to do what is necessary to take the appropriate amount of time to consider healthcare for all Alaskans. The charitable and philanthropic communities have a major stake in what the ultimate law says and does. Charitable nonprofits make up twelve percent of the private workforce in urban Alaska and more than fifty percent of the workforce in rural Alaska. So often our nonprofits struggle to provide quality, affordable health insurance to their workforce. Nonprofits address the most pressing needs of individuals and communities every day; loss of health insurance by millions of our fellow citizens would likely increase the demands for the services nonprofits provide. And changes in healthcare policy could exacerbate state and local budget challenges that further increase the resource challenges that nonprofits have been experiencing for years. In short, a Senate vote that could make or break the healthcare insurance system could also make or break the ability of charitable nonprofits to serve their communities. I am available to talk with your staff about the huge impact the proposed healthcare bill would have on the nonprofit sector in Alaska. Alaska has so much at stake.
Congress has started it July 4 recess. When the delegation returns to Washington, a vote is planned in the Senate on its version of a healthcare bill, which, as Laurie noted, could have devastating impacts for Alaskans and the sector.
This is not the time to let up on the pressure for a good healthcare bill. In fact, it’s the perfect time to express your concerns. If a member of the delegation is in your community over recess, pay a visit and let them know about your strong support for a healthcare system that doesn’t hurt Alaskans and the nonprofits that support them.
In addition, spread the word among your colleagues. Urge them and their boards to join Foraker in reaching out to our delegation. Also, feel free to forward Laurie’s statement. And if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Michael Walsh, Ph.D., Vice President of Public Policy, at mwalsh@forakergroup.org.
Contact information for Alaska’s congressional delegation:
Send an email directly from Senator Murkowski’s website: https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact/email
Send an email directly from Senator Sullivan’s website: https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/contact/email
Send an email directly from Representative Young’s website: https://donyoung.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm