The Mat-Su Borough Assembly passed a resolution sponsored by Assemblymember Rob Yundt regarding the Mat-Su Health Foundation. The resolution encourages the Foundation to change the way its board is elected and to advocate for lower costs.
Two amendments to the resolution also passed. The first encourages the Borough Manager to create a program for employees to incentivize using Alaska Regional Hospital over Mat-Su Regional. Borough Manager Mike Brown says the Borough already encourages employees to compare pricing, even if it means seeking care at Alaska Regional Hospital and in the lower 48.
Yundt says the Foundation has collected 330 million dollars and has only invested 106 million into the community over the last 15 years. He went on to say that the costs at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center were higher than those at Alaska Regional. Yundt asked Borough staff to compare those costs.
“So they compared 11 different costs of different operations, procedures, whatever it may be. I honestly have no idea what they are. Borough staff did this work. They range, the price difference, compared to Mat-Su Regional and Alaska Regional, was anywhere from 1.2 times more all the way up to 9.6 times more what they charge the Mat-Su Borough for our employees to use their services.”
Assemblymember Hale says he does not agree with sending employees to Anchorage for health care.
“I have a serious issue with directing the Manager to encourage our employees to go to Anchorage for their health care, when all that money, none of that money will come back to our community.”
President and CEO of Mat-Su Health Foundation Elizabeth Ripley says in a phone conversation that the Foundation retains 35 percent of the funds from the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center to reinvest into the community. Most hospitals in Alaska send those profits out of state.
The second amendment that passed with the Resolution requests that the State Legislature remove the Certificate of Need that currently discourages health care competition.
Alaska State Senator David Wilson, one legislator who works closely with the Foundation on a variety of projects, says health care is complex. He says high costs are caused by a variety of issues like hospital stays, pharmaceutical costs, and the lack of primary care doctors. Economies of scale will help reduce those costs.
Ripley says the Foundation has worked closely with the community to improve the health and wellness of the residents. One example she shares is the Foundation’s funding match for the Borough to complete the Human Services Transportation Plan. Transportation is key to getting residents to and from work, doctor appointments, community gatherings, and critical amenities. Without the funding, the Borough would not have had access to the matching funds to complete that Plan.
Many residents who have been impacted by the Foundation spoke out against the resolution, citing government overreach and the value the Foundation provides to the community. Representatives of Valley organizations, including Big Cabbage Radio and Sunshine Community Health Center, also spoke against the resolution. One resident spoke in favor of it.
Ripley says the Foundation is a private entity and that the resolution holds no power. She goes on to say that it seems to be politically driven.
“The more worrisome measure is what this action signals to any local business here. That if the Assembly doesn’t like what a company is doing with its profits that you will step in and tell them what to do. The Mat-Su Health Foundation is a private organization with a private membership. Please recognize that Resolution number 24-064 is an attempt to politicize our private membership and private organization, managing extensive assets, and delivering huge economic and health returns to Mat-Su residents.”
Assemblymember Yundt, the sponsor of the Resolution, is running against incumbent David Wilson for State Senate.
Yundt is not and has never been a member of the Mat-Su Health Foundation, though Mayor DeVries and Assemblymember Nowers are.
KTNA has received grant funding from Mat-Su Health Foundation.
