Sen. Murkowski, stand up for Alaskans on health care

For the health and safety of Alaska women — my patients and her constituents — I urge Sen. Lisa Murkowski to oppose the U.S. Senate's health reform bill, and demand the Senate begin a process that puts the well-being of hardworking Americans ahead of large tax cuts for the wealthy. No Alaska family should be worse off after reform, and the Better Care Reconciliation Act fails this simple test.

Now, more than ever, I am compelled to speak up for my patients, and I hope other health care providers do the same.

As an OB-GYN practicing throughout the state of Alaska, I have seen firsthand how my patients have benefited from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as "Obamacare." I've also witnessed the tremendous impact of Alaska's Medicaid expansion among our state's traditionally underserved communities, especially those who live in rural areas. The ACA and Medicaid have been critical sources of health coverage for these patients, increasing their access to many basic health care services, including maternity care, preventive health services, mental health care and treatment for substance use disorder. Alaskans depend on these essential health services, now part of the fabric of our health care system, and will certainly take notice if the Senate health care bill strips these important benefits away.

[At parades and protests, GOP leaders get an earful about health care]

Thousands of Alaska women and families rely on Medicaid. In 2016, our state's Legislature finally moved forward with expanding this important program, which has dramatically reduced the number of uninsured in our state. Prior to expansion, 13 percent of Alaskans were without health insurance coverage, the third-highest rate of uninsured in the entire country. Dismantling this program – as the Senate bill does – would pull the rug out from under tens of thousands of Alaska's most vulnerable.

Alaska, like the rest of the United States, is struggling to battle an epidemic of opioid use disorder. The ACA has been a tremendous asset in this effort by removing barriers to treatment caused by lack of insurance coverage. Under the ACA, all insurance companies are required to make sure that their plans include coverage of substance abuse treatment. This basic necessity did not exist before the ACA and would disappear if the Better Care Reconciliation Act becomes law. The Senate's health care bill would stifle any progress our state has already made at fighting this epidemic.

The Better Care Reconciliation Act's potential impact on women is especially unsettling. The plan undermines both public and private access to women's health services across our lifespan. It is no coincidence that America's unintended pregnancy rate is the lowest it's been in decades. No-copay conceptive coverage, one of many essential health benefits on the chopping block in the BCRA, helps my patients plan their families around what works best for them – something that leads to healthier moms, healthier babies and healthier communities.

If and when my patients are ready to grow their families, the current health care system helps ensure that expectant mothers and families aren't left out in the cold because of inadequate or nonexistent health insurance coverage. In Alaska, 53 percent of births are supported by Medicaid. Did you know that before "Obamacare," Alaska did not require individual and small group insurance plans to cover maternity care? Passing the Senate's Better Care Reconciliation Act would undermine the critical progress made to support moms and babies.

Finally, I want to urge you to continue to oppose "defunding" Planned Parenthood. Denying funds to Planned Parenthood means denying patients the ability to see the provider of their choice, and many in Alaska will be left without an alternative source of care. As you well know, Planned Parenthood provides critical care like cancer screenings, STI testing, domestic violence counseling and birth control. Denying access to these health centers will leave thousands of Alaska women with no way to obtain the critical primary and preventive care they need.

While the ACA is far from perfect, it is vital that no Alaskans lose coverage under the new Republican health bills. These efforts will turn back the clock on women's health and hurt my patients by kicking thousands off Medicaid, threatening essential health benefits like maternity care, and "defunding" Planned Parenthood, thereby reducing access to primary and preventive care for our neighbors.

I am honored to care for Alaska's women every day. Sen. Murkowski, the families of Alaska depend on you. We have made a lot of progress for Alaska women, but we have a long way to go. I urge you to reject any proposal that leaves Alaska's women worse off. Stand with your constituents — my patients — and vote no on the Senate health care bill.

Dr. Leanne Komorowski is an obstetrician/gynecologist based in Anchorage who has practiced throughout the state.

The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary@alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com.