Stevens for Senate Committee Blog

Letter to the Editor - Stevens has always helped Alaska

By: Patrick Kerley
Date: October 27, 2008

From the ADN –

Stevens has always helped Alaska

I am one of the many old-time Alaskans Sen. Stevens has helped during his years in office. Back in 1985 my husband, who had worked for the federal government, died suddenly, and it was imperative that I receive the money due him to continue to raise my family. I had been given the runaround for a very long time. In those days, before instant computer answers, it could take weeks and months to get answers.

A call to Stevens’ office got the ball rolling and the matter brought to a prompt, successful conclusion. I don’t know what I would have done with out Ted Stevens then — or now! He’s still helping Alaskans daily.

— Doris Colligan, Anchorage

2 Comments Read more

Begich, Berkowitz lack seniority to do Alaska any good in Congress

By: Patrick Kerley
Date: October 24, 2008

From the ADN –

My vision of Washington D.C. should Mark Begich and Ethan Berkowitz win this coming election:

Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed et al. will stand them up in a corner and let them know that if they get out of line and do not perform like the rest of the Democrats, they will wind up like Joe Lieberman, a man without a party. They will demand that they be Democrats first, Alaskans second and U.S. citizens third, just like the rest of them. There will never be drilling in ANWR or anywhere else, even if the price of oil hits $500 a barrel. Wind and solar energy and gerbils will provide all the energy we need. Maybe 20 years from now, if they’ve been good little boys, they may get on a committee to study the mating habits of North Slope reindeer and polar bears.

Even with the problems Ted Stevens and Don Young currently have, at least they were Alaskans first and represented Alaska very well. There is no way two new Democrats can go to Washington and represent Alaska properly.

Regardless of where this election winds up, I thank our representatives for their efforts. I love Don’s current political advertisement which states: Re-elect Don Young, Nancy Pelosi’s biggest nightmare!

— George Gallagher, Anchorage

0 Comments Read more

Letter to the Editor: Medicare did get 35 percent boost

By: Patrick Kerley
Date: October 24, 2008

From the ADN –

I read with interest Tuesday’s Anchorage Daily News article titled “Alaska Medicare patients rejected by doctors,” that discussed the need for greater access to medical providers and innovative ideas for the state to consider for increasing medical providers. One thing that your article left out, however, was the 35 percent permanent increase in Medicare reimbursements that was secured by the Alaska congressional delegation, led by Sen. Ted Stevens, this past July.

The reimbursements increase was included in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which blocked a 10 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates and provided a 35 percent increase in Medicare reimbursement rates for Alaska’s physicians.

The Alaska delegation fought hard for this provision, recognizing the needs of our seniors. We hope this legislation will significantly increase access to primary care providers for all of Alaska’s Medicare beneficiaries.

- Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator

0 Comments Read more

Berry Buckets!

By: Patrick Kerley
Date: October 23, 2008

Today we handed out hundreds of berry buckets at the AFN Convention in Anchorage. Here are some pictures:

0 Comments Read more