02.10.17

Murkowski Votes to Confirm Health and Human Services Secretary

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting to confirm Dr. Tom Price as the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary: "I have confidence in Dr. Tom Price's leadership given his strong work-ethic and skills needed to handle the largest budget of any of the federal agencies. His extensive background - both medical and legislative - shows he has both a deep understanding of healthcare and a commitment for doing what is best for patients. I look forward to work… Continue Reading

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01.12.17

Delegation Introduces Bill to Accelerate AMHT Land Exchange

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Rep. Don Young, all R-Alaska, today introduced companion bills to accelerate an equal value land exchange between the Alaska Mental Health Trust (Trust) and the U.S. Forest Service. The legislation, which nearly passed last Congress, protects important community viewsheds, local trails, and other conservation values while expediting much-needed timber for local operators and generating new revenues for mental health services across the s… Continue Reading

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01.12.17

Murkowski Takes Step Towards Repealing the “Un”-Affordable Care Act

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted for the Fiscal Year 2017 budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 3), the vehicle to allow the Senate to repeal the failed Affordable Care Act (ACA) through the budget reconciliation process. The resolution includes instructions to the Senate HELP and Finance Committees so that repeal can move a privileged process ensuring its expediency. "This is a first and necessary step towards delivering better healthcare for Alaskans. The ACA has harmed Alaskans for far too… Continue Reading

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01.10.17

Senators Introduce Amendment to Improve Process for Repealing and Replacing Health Care Law in Timely Fashion

U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced an amendment to extend the deadline for budget reconciliation instructions until March 3, 2017, and ensure a responsible process for replacing President Obama's health care law as quickly as possible. Senator Murkowski said: "I remain committed to repealing the Affordable Care Act, and I am equally committed to ensuring that all Alaskans and Americans… Continue Reading

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12.07.16

Senate Passes Bill Boosting Medical Research and Innovation

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting in favor of the 21st Century Cures Act: "This legislation tackles crucial health concerns for Alaskans - providing tools for mental health treatment, fighting the opioid epidemic, and addressing the disproportionally high risk of suicide among Alaska Natives. Not only that, but it will increase opportunities for lifesaving medical research. Today's bill provides hope for families grappling with devastating di… Continue Reading

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11.29.16

Senate Passes Bill Expanding Healthcare in Rural Alaska

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act to support telemedicine programs that connect health providers with patients in rural communities. The bill passed in a vote of 97-0. "The health and well-being of Alaskans is one of my top priorities, and I remain committed to ensuring Alaskans have access to quality healthcare. Utilizing technology and innovative delivery models to meet healthcare needs is imperative in rural state… Continue Reading

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09.26.16

Murkowski Continues To Push For AMHT Land Exchange

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, last week held a legislative hearing to receive testimony on her bill to accelerate a land exchange between the Alaska Mental Health Trust (Trust) and the U.S. Forest Service. Legislation is needed to accelerate the exchange, which will protect important community viewsheds, local trails, and other conservation values while expediting much-needed timber for local operators. "This hearing brought good news for everyone, and brought us one st… Continue Reading

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09.14.16

Delegation Introduces Bill Returning Healthcare Options to Alaskans

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young introduced the Ensuring Health Care Opportunities Act of 2016 which will help Alaskans struggling with the high cost of health insurance, and strive to attract more insurance companies to Alaska. President Obama, and many of those who voted for the Affordable Care Act, promised that those who liked their healthcare coverage could keep it under Obamacare, and that the act would lower costs and increa… Continue Reading

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07.13.16

Senate Passes Bill Providing Tools to Fight Opioid Addiction

Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), to support community-based drug treatment programs and provide critical resources for those battling opioid addiction. CARA originally passed the Senate in March 2016 by a vote of 94-1, and went to conference committee to resolve the differences with the House version of the bill. Today's bill passed by a vote of 92-2 and now heads to the President's desk to be sig… Continue Reading

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06.09.16

Murkowski Secures Investments to Strengthen Alaska’s Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017. Referred to as Labor-H, it contains a number of provisions secured by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that will strengthen Alaska's communities. As a member of the committee, Murkowski focused her efforts on funding programs that support Alaskan families, jobs, economic development, health, and safet… Continue Reading

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05.26.16

Murkowski Introduces Three New Bills to Boost Alaska

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today introduced three targeted pieces of legislation that would improve the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA), assist the Alaska Mental Health Trust, and reconstitute the Alaska Land Use Council. These bills reflect Murkowski's continued efforts to protect and advance her home state's priorities. "The legislation I introduced today will help Alaska Native communities, improve the management of our federal lands, and facilitate a … Continue Reading

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05.19.16

Murkowski Calls for Senate Action on Affordable Care Act

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) spoke on the Senate floor to outline the numerous ways the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has failed Alaskans and the rest of the nation, and called for action in the Senate to repeal and fix this unworkable law. The speech comes on the heels of Moda Health announcing its withdrawal from the Alaskan market in 2017, which forces nearly 14,000 Alaskans to change insurers next year and leaves Alaskans with only one option for health insurance on the individual market. … Continue Reading

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05.04.16

Murkowski Introduces Legislation to Create Firefighter Cancer Registry

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has joined with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce S. 2799, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. The bill creates a voluntary national database of firefighters diagnosed with the life-threatening disease. Research suggests that throughout their career, firefighters are exposed to harmful toxins which create an increased risk for several major cancers. The legislation would establish a central registry to collect data and improve research activities on … Continue Reading

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04.27.16

Land Transfer Legislation to Improve Healthcare Access Passes Senate Committee

Today the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed S. 2421, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey property to both the Tanana Tribal Council and Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. This land will be used in connection with health and social services programs in both Tanana and Dillingham. The land transfers will allow the Tanana Tribal Council develop a Community Wellness … Continue Reading