The Alaska News.com

Insurance costs and wages in Alaska

2012-05-13T05:57:33Z

The insurance industry conducted a study recently which reveals a widening gap between insurance costs and wage increases. This problem led Vice President Joe Biden to address the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in a meeting which was conducted to manage and alleviate the problem of premium rate reviews. Commissioners all across the nation were allocated with additional powers so that they could maintain a better control over the premium hikes.

Purchasing insurance is not always a cheap affair. Online auto insurance quotes provide a good starting point for Alaska residents to look for affordable auto insurance but the state itself sets very high limits for bodily injury and property damage. This has created a controversy which has made the headlines within the insurance community of Alaska.

The National Economic Council (NEC) recently published a report which clearly showed that policy holders in Alaska are among one of the states witnessing the biggest gap between premium rate increase and wage hikes. Auto insurance quotes and paychecks have started showing a heavy difference. Independent auto insurance analysts have also stated that the rising cost of insurance is also in turn deterring potential policy holders from buying insurance coverage and existing policy holders refuse to renew their policy. The analysts attribute this problem solely to the difference between premium amount and the paycheck.

A statistical research conducted by NEC to find out the root of the problem came up with some interesting and frightening facts. Alaska witnessed the average premium rate go up by 145% in the last 10 years while wages went up by 35% within the same period. Florida also faces the same problem but at a milder degree. Insurance rates in Florida went up by 121% although the average paycheck value has gone up by 43%. Michigan is also suffering from the same problem.

Government regulators are proposing that a drastic review and change should be implemented as soon as possible to tackle the problem. Major changes and policy reforms need to be introduced so that insurance buyers are better equipped to negotiate successfully with insurance carriers. The reform plan would help reconcile auto insurance quotes and rates resulting in lower premiums so that coverage becomes more affordable.

Insurance as a product is subject to continuous change and revision. This is mainly because the factors which dictate its nature, like laws and risk statistics, keep changing continuously. The number of vehicles registered in Alaska stand at 932,441 according to the research and statistics department of the Alaska DMV.

Compare the figures to the motor vehicle crash report and you will clearly see how necessary insurance is. More than 33% of vehicles are uninsured in Alaska. Roughly 20% of all auto accidents and fatalities are caused by uninsured drivers. The statistics pushed the state government into introducing very stringent auto insurance laws. Alaska state authorities require drivers to carry a copy of their policy or insurance ID card in their car at all times. Alaska also sets very high limits for personal and property coverage.

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Alternative Energy in Alaska Explored by Toghotthele for Nenana

2012-04-10T23:05:49Z

Alternative energy sources have been explored since 2009 by Toghetthele Corporation according to a presentation made recently in Nenana, Alaska. Toghetthele is the Nenana area Native corporation. Jim Sackett, CEO of the corporation was at a recent meeting of the Wellness in Nenana Coalition, and brought attendees up to speed on Toghetthele projects.

Toghotthele is interested in furthering several projects for Nenana, according to WIN, and Sackett concurs. He explained that there is a very precisely defined process to get grant funds to help build a bio-mass system, which begins with a pre-feasibility study, says WIN attendee Kat McElroy who provides the meeting minutes. Hacket says that Brian Hirsch and the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) have been working with them on this, and the initial analysis suggests that they go with a bio-mass wood chip system.

Sacket says that a bio-mass plant for heat to Nenana City Public School is being looked into, McElroy says. This method of alternative energy generation could come in the form of a second bio-mass generator for the Nenana Student Living Center (NSLC), located several blocks away in Nenana. NSLC is close, but not close enough to make sharing the school generator an option, Sacket says.

“We have two technical experts arriving from National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), Golden, Colorado today,” said Hacket on Monday, April 9, 2012. “We also have two arriving from Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to help us with planning. Then in three weeks we’ll be conducting our pre-feasability study. With those two pieces of the puzzle complete we’ll be able to apply to AEA for design & construction funding in August. If we are selected we can begin building in 2013,” he concluded.

This would be similar to what was done down in Tok, says McElroy. Chris Gaul of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will be involved in analyzing the study data. Any red flags along the way, of course, could slow the project down.

There would be several immediate benefits of such a project for our community, say minutes. The first would be the positive impact it would have on the estimated $100k currently budgeted annually to heat our school, a cost that can only climb as the price for petroleum rises. Hence, this would be a huge step in decreasing our dependency on petroleum. Secondly, it would create several fulltime permanent jobs, in the logging arena as well as plant management. Such employment would require a strong work ethic but on-job training could be provided.

If all goes well, a Combined Heat and Power project could be worked on. The idea of having greenhouse to grow food locally was reacted to with vigorous discussion. It is understood that other natural resource development is in the works. Jim pointed out that due to the regulatory process, if natural gas is found out on the basin, the very soonest it could be brought in online would be 2022.

Photo Credit: Toghetthele Corporation’s Jim Sacket

Alaskans Top 2011 PFD for Donating to Charity

2012-03-26T23:04:11Z

Apply for PFD and donate to charity

Donating to charity is something to consider, and easily done on your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (pfd) Application. That deadline is looming closer by the second, and as of the morning of March 26, two-hundred twenty thousand, seven-hundred and eighty-six Alaskans have not applied yet. In order to get your pfd application completed, the sooner the better, as the closer to the deadline, the more the chance of the online system being too busy to take your application.

“The online application will shut down promptly at midnight on March 31. You must have completed the online application and received a confirmation number for an online application to be considered timely. Paper applications postmarked or hand delivered to PFD after March 31 will be denied as late applications,” says the pfd website.

Many Alaskans are giving to charity, says the blog for the ‘Pick. Click. Give’ pfd site. You should be able to find one of your favorite charities on the list on the pfd website. Alaskans have already surpassed 2011 donation figures, says the blog.

As of March 14, 2012, “19,621 Alaskans have made 31,532 pledges through Pick. Click. Give. for a total of $1,809,850. That compares to a total of $1,301,225 on March 14 last year — and surpasses the $1,570,900 total raised in all of 2011,” says the blog for the ‘Pick. Click. Give’ pfd site.

Before you apply for a pfd, make sure you meet the qualifications. For 2012 applications due Saturday, you must have been a resident during all of 2011, and intend to remain in Alaska indefinitely, says the website, and have not claimed residency elsewhere since the last day of 2010. Felons need not apply, and even some misdemeanor instances, check the site for the stipulations.

Some absences are allowed. You must have been physically in the state for at least 72 consecutive hours during 2010/2011, say the pfd stipulations. To check to see if you qualify, go to the website http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/ or call one of the agencies three offices in Juneau (907) 465-2326, Fairbanks (907) 451-2820, or Anchorage (907) 269-0370.

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Train Now for Survival in Alaskan Avalanche, Ian LaCrois Experiences an Avalanche

2012-03-21T20:57:41Z

A lone unidentified skier, by a contributor at rgbstock.

Survival training is key when facing an avalanche, as Ian LaCroix may have realized recently. Especially now that the spring weather is upon us safety officials with the State of Alaska, The Department of Public Safety have some key information here that could save your life. There are free classes available, they say.

Ian LaCroix, age 20 of New York was reported to suffer from fractured leg due to an avalanche formation while skiing near Tin Can Peak in Turnagain Pass. The 911 call from Ian’s brother, Nathan, was received by the Alaska State Troopers on March 16, 2012 at around 10:10PM. Though LaCroix’s injuries were reported non-fatal, the AST has increased public precautions about the danger of Avalanches at this time of the year. Thus, a free avalanche awareness classes throughout the state are currently conducted for the public.

“With temperatures warming in Alaska, the Alaska Department of Public Safety would like to remind outdoor enthusiasts that the danger of Avalanches this time of year is a very real threat. The North American Outdoor Institute provides free avalanche awareness classes in different locations throughout the state,” as announced by the AST official website early this week. Training dates for these free classes have already been scheduled. The public can check out the training centers in your locations through the NOAI website at http://naoiak.org/cal‐events.php.

In addition, Alaskans are encouraged to check daily weather forecasts through the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center (http://www.cnfaic.org/); Avalanche Center ( http://www.avalanche‐center.org/Bulletins/); American Avalanche Association ( http://www.avalanche.org/); Alaska Avalanche Information Center ( http://www.alaskasnow.org/); City/Borough of Juneau Urban Avalanche Advisory ( http://www.juneau.org/avalanche/); and the National Weather Service for the Alaska Region ( http://www.arh.noaa.gov/).

The AST recommends that you check the above weather forecast sites before traveling outside. With the temperatures already warming here in Alaska, the danger of encountering an avalanche is most likely. Weather-appropriate clothings and other medical supplies may be necessary as well. Lastly, before embarking in any outdoor sports, recheck all materials and attire, making sure they’re snuggly worn and placed.

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Law and Justice to Villages Via VPSO Program Graduates

2012-03-19T13:20:16Z

The Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka today was happy to announce the 28 Village Public Safety Officers and two Village Police Officers graduates this year, considering this batch is the 2^nd highest number of graduates in the VPSO program history, same as with class of 1982. The highest was during 1981 with 30 graduates.

In the late 1970′s, the means of providing rural Alaskan communities with needed public safety services at the local level started with the Village Public Safety Officer Program. The program, designed to train and employ those in the villages as first responders to emergencies like, fires, emergency medical assistance, and law enforcement has been improving the quality of life in the villages, according to officials for the training program.

In alphabetical order, the successful graduates of the VPSO program in 2012 are: Deborah Apatiki – Kawerak, Inc. – Gambell; Cecelia Atchak – Association of Village Council Presidents – Chevak; Marcus Barr – Kawerak, Inc. – Brevig Mission; Peter Berlin Jr. – Association of Village Council Presidents – Nunapitchuk; William Candy Fire – Saint Paul Tribal Enforcement (Village Police Officer); Timothy Carter – Association of Village Council Presidents – Bethel; Alex Chaney – Association of Village Council Presidents – Napaskiak; William Dushkin – Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association – Atka; Eddie Fenn – Association of Village Council Presidents – Chefornak; Michael Gagliano – Northwest Arctic Borough – Kotzebue; Shawn Gutleben – Association of Village Council Presidents – Akiachak; and John Henry Jr. – Kawerak, Inc. – St. Michael.

The list also includes Justin Hooper – Association of Village Council Presidents – Napakiak; Carl Inakak – Association of Village Council Presidents – Chefornak; Daniel Joekay – Association of Village Council Presidents – Bethel; Damian Joseph – Association of Village Council Presidents – Alakanuk; Sandra Lamont – Association of Village Council Presidents – Alakanuk; Thomas Madole – Bristol Bay Native Association – Manokotak; Lawrence Martin – Association of Village Council Presidents – Akiachak; Nicholas Miller – Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association – Akutan; William Oyaluk – Bristol Bay Native Association – New Stuyahok; Timothy Pehle – Kawerak, Inc. – Nome; Dale Plate – Bristol Bay Native Association – Togiak; Joy Reyneke – Bristol Bay Native Association – Kokhanok; Steven Rugg – Northwest Arctic Borough – Kiana; James Sartelle – Association of Village Council Presidents – Chevak; Daniel Smith – Association of Village Council Presidents – Quinhagak; James Smith – Central Council for Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska – Thorne Bay; Donald Stafford – Bristol Bay Native Association – Levelock; and Phillip Zavadil – Saint Paul Tribal Enforcement (Village Police Officer).

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Law and Justice Busy With Case Loads of DUI

2012-03-18T19:18:10Z

DUI will get you burned, tempting a deal with criminal justice.

More and more Alaskans are adding up to the Alaska State Troopers’ list of drivers driving under influence of alcohol and other substances. Despite the alarming news of growing DUI cases and the AST’s constant precautions, a lot of drivers traveling within the Alaskan roads don’t seem to grasp the real danger of driving while intoxicated.

Alaska State Troopers will conduct enforcement efforts this weekend to ensure the safety of Alaskan motorists, they say. Local law enforcement agencies will also participate in the enhanced enforcement this March. The ramped up enforcement will mostly be focused on DUI enforcement for both alcohol and drugs.

Regardless of what your plans are, Troopers say always practice safe driving behaviors on the roads while traveling to and from your destination. If you consume drugs or alcohol, plan to either stay the night or to have a sober driver take you home. Always have a plan to get home safely.

Funding for the focused enforcement is coordinated through the Alaska Office of Highway Safety.

On Feb. 25, 21 y/o Jesse Lee James Barr (arrested in Fairbanks), Tony Len Houser age 55 and Brian A. Marple, age 22 (both arrested in Wasilla) were contacted due to REDDI reports sent to the AST. Barr was remanded to FCC while Houser and Marple were sent to Mat-Su Pretrial with bails over their heads.

Similarly on Feb. 26, the AST arrested 3 drunk drivers in Wasilla for DUI and other reported complaints. The offenders were soon identified as Allen W. Walker, 51; Jeffery S. Bennett, age 29; and Steve M. Burrow, age 34. All of them were transported to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and were reported to be on bail of at least $500.

Troopers also encourage everyone to Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately by calling 9-1-1.

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Health Insurance Benefits? ObamaCare Effectively Outlaws True Health Insurance

2012-03-15T21:49:42Z

: Affordable Health Care, not Government Mandated

Committee Chairman of Libertarian National, Mark Hinkle shared his personal insights this week on the issues surrounding the current administration’s health care management. Hinkle pointed out that “If we want better health insurance for all, why are we making it illegal?”

“Insurance, if you think about it, should exist to protect you against catastrophic expenditures. For example, car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of gas and oil, as it would be outrageously expensive due to the incentive for increased driving. Similarly, health insurance should not cover ordinary and predictable costs, yet remains outrageously expensive because it does,” Hinkle stated. “ObamaCare, known in Massachusetts as RomneyCare, effectively outlaws true health insurance.”

Based on his judgment, he believes that it isn’t fair for consumers to buy overpriced insurance covering predictable costs. Hinkle also stressed the relationship of the American health insurance to employment as a result of “of a system that taxes cash wages but not health benefits”. He also mentioned the mandatory coverage rate in every state as well as some state regulations that drives the insurance rates to surge higher almost annually.

“”The result is this: if you want inexpensive health insurance, but don’t want coverage for alcoholism, weight loss programs and baldness treatments, and would prefer a deductible based on your personal finances: TOUGH. Even if you’re not stuck with your employer’s choices, the type of individually tailored coverage you want is illegal.”

As a solution, Hinkle suggests that we need to “decriminalize” good health insurance. By this he means eliminating mandatory coverage, the laws against purchasing health insurance across state lines, and the unfavorable tax treatment of personal insurance policies.

Finally, Hinkle gave the following words regarding Obama’s pursuit for free contraceptives for the employees (an issue he believes is far less fundamental than the issue of health insurance):

“Women shouldn’t need a permission slip from their doctor to have safe sex. Removing the prescription requirement would massively reduce the cost of contraceptives, making it far more affordable. In turn, this would ease the burden on groups such as Planned Parenthood that have long provided free contraceptives to those in need.”

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Job Search: Aviation Airport Applicants Needed

2012-03-08T10:14:12Z

Technical education and training is important on some career paths. On March 24, 2012, the State of Alaska will conduct its 2012 Alaska Aviation Careers & Airport Job Fair at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport – North Terminal, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. According to reports, over 300 jobs will be offered to interested applicants.

Representatives from the Alaskan airline companies and businesses related to the state’s aviation system and services will be present to accept applications from prospective employees. Companies will include the Alaska Aviation Careers and Job Fair include Alaska Airlines, PenAir, the Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska National Guard, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire, Northern Air Cargo, Pegasus, Lynden Air Cargo, HMS Host, Signature Flight Support, Transportation Security Administration, and Enterprise Car Rental.

This event is free for both participating companies and applicants. Parking in the North Terminal Lot will be validated at the Fair.

Students under middle and high school are encouraged to attend the event. Aviation officers will be present to give them a firsthand witness of how basic things work in our aviation system, a good opportunity for them to plan an exciting career in this field should they like what they’d see.

About the AIAS

Guided by their mail mission “To Keep Alaska Flying and Thriving”, the Alaska International Airport System (AIAS) has been dedicatedly servicing people from all nations with world-class customer service and top of the edge aviation facilities. In addition, AIAS is home to over 30 international and domestic airlines providing passenger and cargo service throughout Alaska, the United States, Europe, and Asia. AIAS is an extraordinary economic engine; serving nearly 6 million passengers per year and accounting for 1 in 10 jobs in Anchorage and 1 in 20 jobs in Fairbanks.

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Job Search: Aviation Airport Applicants Needed

DBSA Appoints Celebrity Board Members

2012-03-07T15:10:56Z

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has added new members of their Honorary Advisory Board on December, 15, 2011. Amongst the inaugural members are celebrities including Patty Duke, Jessie Close, Marya Hornbacher, Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, Greg Montgomery, and Andrew Solomon.

“We are immensely honored to have these talented and inspiring individuals as members of our new Honorary Advisory Board, and even more appreciative of the work each has done to increase the understanding of, and to reduce the stigma associated with, depression and bipolar disorder,” says Lucinda Jewel, Chairman of the DBSA Board.

“All of the members of our Honorary Advisory Board exemplify that people living with mental health conditions can and do live extraordinary lives unlimited by a diagnosis,” she continued.

The prime purpose of the organization is to extinguish the negative stigma brought by depression and mood disorders. DBSA President, Allen Doederlein explains that an “extraordinary life is absolutely possible for those of us living with mood disorders.”

Doederlein also proudly shared that their purpose and objectives are clearly reflected in all of their programming, peer-led support grounds as well as their members (from whom half had already been through severe depression and bipolar attacks).

“Because of the work of DBSA and individuals like our Honorary Board members, the over 21 million individuals living with mood disorders can be assured they are not alone— hope, inspiration, and support are close at hand,” Doederlein added.

About DBSA

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on depression and bipolar disorder. DBSA has more than 1,000 peer-run support groups across the country. Nearly five million people request and receive information and assistance each year. The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information.More information about them is readily accessible online at www.DBSAlliance.org or by dialing (800) 826-3632.

Public Health Service – Free Toy Huskies for Children

2012-03-07T00:19:22Z

Health program involving free toy huskies which will be given to young children with up-to-date vaccinations is through the “Race to Vaccinate” with the “I Did It By TWO!” campaign sponsored by Vaccinate Alaska Coalition. They are in partnership with the Alaska Commercial Company (AC) and the participants of the 2012 Iditarod Race. Through this campaign, Vaccinate Alaska Coalition hopes to educate more Alaskans of the importance of early vaccination for children.

“Children need the majority of their vaccinations in the first two years of life. That is the time when they are most vulnerable to serious, but preventable, diseases like measles, whooping cough, and flu,” said Doreen Stangel, who works for the Alaska Immunization Program and serves as the liaison to Vaccinate Alaska Coalition. “On-time vaccinations protect children at age 2 from 14 preventable diseases. We see increased risk because 1 in 3 children in Alaska are not fully immunized by the time they are 2 years old.”

Parents will be required to enter their names in a drawing and the lucky winners will receive toy husky dogs that wear collars signed by four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser. The drawings will be conducted in 17 Alaskan communities at your local Alaska Commercial stores.

In addition to the free huskies, the Iditarod race dogs will also wear jackets that display the campaign message “Immunize Alaska’s Kids” during the race, hopefully to increase awareness of timely childhood immunization, especially for rural communities.

Further information about the Alaska Immunization Program can be acquired by calling 1-888-430-4321 or 269-8088, or visit http://epi.alaska.gov/immunize.

Below is where“I Did It By TWO!” is taking place:

Barrow — North Slope Borough Wellness Center Bethel — Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital, Bethel Public Health Center, Bethel Family Clinic Cordova — Cordova Public Health Center, Ilanka Community Health Center Craig — Craig Public Health Center Dillingham — Dillingham Public Health Center Fort Yukon — Yukon Flats Health Center, Fort Yukon Public Health Office Hooper Bay — Hooper Bay Sub-Regional Clinic Klawock — Alicia Roberts Medical Center Kotlik —Kotlik Clinic Kotzebue —Maniilaq Public Health Nursing Mountain Village — George Waskey Memorial Clinic Nome — Nome Public Health Center Pilot Station — Pilot Station Clinic Saint Michael — Katherine Kobuk Memorial Clinic Saint Paul — Saint Paul Health Center Unalakleet — Anikkan Inuit Iluaqutaat Sub-Regional Clinic Yakutat — Yakutat Community Health Center

Below is a list of other locations where childhood immunization providers are participating in the 2012 Vaccinate Alaska Coalition “I Did It By TWO!” toy husky dog project:

Anchorage– Municipality of Anchorage, Public Health Center Alaska Family Medicine Associates Dr. James D. Briggs Dr. Mary Ann Jacob Full Spectrum Pediatrics Alaska Regional Hospital NICU Polar Pediatrics Family Practice Associates LaTouche Pediatrics The Children’s Clinic

Delta Junction Delta Junction Public Health Center Fairbanks Fairbanks Public Health Center Tanana Valley Clinic Haines Haines Public Health Center Homer Homer Public Health Center Kachemak Bay Medical Clinic

Juneau Juneau Public Health Center Glacier Pediatrics

Kenai Kenai Public Health Center Ketchikan Ketchikan Public Health Center King Salmon Camai Community Health Center Kodiak Kodiak Public Health Center McGrath McGrath Health Center Nome Nome Public Health Center Palmer Palmer Family Medicine

Petersburg Petersburg Public Health Center Seward Seward Public Health Center Sitka Sitka Public Health Center Mountainside Family Healthcare

Tok Tok Public Health Center Valdez Valdez Public Health Center Wasilla Ptarmigan Pediatrics Family Medicine of Alaska Lighthouse Family Medicine Mat-Su Health Services Mat-Su Public Health Center Wrangell Alaska Island Community Services Wrangell Public Health Center

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Public Health Service - Free Toy Huskies for Children