Senate Majority Defeats Amendment to SCR 4
Language supported tax-free contributions to health plans

Juneau – The Senate Majority defeated an amendment to a resolution today that would have encouraged Alaskans to take responsibility for their own health care, supported their ability to make tax-free contributions to a health plan, and recognized that insurance companies should be allowed to offer healthy lifestyle discounts.

“All this amendment does is add to this resolution what I consider to be classic Alaskan values and things that we would want to be considered, as folks come together for this very important discussion about where are we going individually and as a State with our health care,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River, during debate on the Senate floor today.

Sen. Dyson offered the amendment to Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, which invites Alaskans to join the Alaska Health Compact. The amendment failed 14 to five, along strict caucus lines.

“Members of the Senate Republican minority were disappointed today that the majority coalition swept aside suggested language that offered support for the continuation of tax-free health savings accounts,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault, R-North Pole. “We’re at a loss to explain why the coalition members would not encourage citizens to pursue healthy lifestyles in the State and voluntarily plan for health emergencies.”

“I want to make sure that we underscore that it is the responsibility of each individual to take responsibility for their health and/or paying for it. Each individual should be able to choose how they plan to pay for their health care,” Sen. Dyson said on the floor.

A Sound Actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032801a.mp3