While the state of Alaska has joined a lawsuit against the new health care law, it is also seeking funds under the law to help pay for insurance for retirees and dependents.
The federal Department of Health and Human Services says that the state of Alaska "retirement and benefits plans" have applied for and been approved for funding under a provision of the law designed to help governments, unions and companies pay for health insurance for retirees age 55 and older who are not yet eligible for Medicare.
The federal agency said the Municipality of Anchorage, the Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust and the Alaska Electrical Health and Welfare Fund have also been approved.
The Alaska groups are among more than 2,000 entities in every state approved for money in the first round of the program.
Alaska is one of several states seeking the money and suing to overturn the law. I have asked the Parnell administration for details on how much money is expected under the program.
The federal agency said that businesses, governments and other employers accepted into the program will be reimbursed for medical claims for early retirees, spouses and dependents.
"Savings can be used to reduce employer health care costs, provide premium relief to workers and families, or both," HHS said on the website www.HealthCare.gov.
"Applicants who are approved into the program receive reinsurance for the claims of high-cost retirees and their families (80 percent of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000.) The programs ends on Jan. 1, 2014 when state health insurance exchanges are up and running," HHS said.
The Washington Post said that the large number of applications has created fears that the $5 billion program will run out before 2014.
In announcing that he was joining the lawsuit, Gov. Sean Parnell said in April that the "federal government has reached well beyond the score of its authority— into the lives and freedom of Alaskans."
The requirement that people get health insurance was the worst part of the law, he said.
“This case is ultimately about the extent to which the federal government can exert power over the states. It has critical implications for the liberty interests of all American citizens. Alaska must join this important litigation," Parnell said.
dang SOCIALIST/NAZI/COMMIE/FASCIST public-CAN state government! how can this be?!?
someone call joe miller, he has "a plan"....
Now, where's our welfare!
Alaska "conservative" ideals in action.
If people would actually read the healthcare legislation they would understand how much the gov't will save in the end. Insurance companies bet on you dying before they pay out anything. Your ignorant if you thing otherwise.
Medicaid and Medicare are billed first, and then private insurance. If there is no Medicaid or Medicare, then the government bails out the insurance companies. The end result is employees are paying premiums, and getting nothing from the insurance companies, because the government is footing the bill for all of the expenses.
What a ripoff for the insurance companies and self-insured employers/unions!
This could get real expensive real fast.