In my second year, the pandemic descended on Alaska, and it was supposed to wipe us out. We had the best survival rate in the country and at the same time we kept our industries running.
We respected local control and individual freedom. We fought
back and won against vaccine mandates and federal overreach. While battling the pandemic and the associated chaos, we kept the state moving forward.
We are asking for funding to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to
12 months to ensure that moms and their children get off to a healthy start in life. This initiative will also fund recruitment and retention of the health care professionals we need to fill the 5,000 jobs that will be required over the next 10 years.
The Healthy Families initiative will also add support to our efforts to battle tuberculosis. Our goal is to eliminate TB as a health threat in Alaska once and for all.
Defend Alaskans' rights to make their own medical decisions
We'll also continue to lead on protecting Alaskans' medical freedoms. My administration will continue to defend Alaskans' rights to make their own medical decisions about vaccines and therapeutics for themselves and their families in consultation
with their doctors and pharmacists.
It's not the State's job to make those decisions for you. My administration's job is to make sure our health care system is strong and you have the tools available to take care of yourself.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature
, Jan 25, 2022
Eliminate all health care assistance by government
The 2015 decision to expand Medicaid triggered a lawsuit from the Senate, which accused Walker of overstepping the legislative process. Then Senator Dunleavy was one legislator who was critical of Walker's decision. "I want everyone to have affordable,
quality healthcare. But when one third of Alaskans are forced to rely on Medicaid, is that something we should be proud of?" Dunleavy added that if elected his focus would be on helping more find health insurance without government assistance.
Source: KTUU on 2018 Alaska gubernatorial race
, Aug 3, 2018