I have had the pleasure of serving Alaska as your public servant for the past six years. Our district, District 22, is comprised of many friendly, close-knit neighborhoods and also is distinguished as the fastest growing economic zone in Anchorage. The University/Medical (U/Med) district’s work -- with all of Anchorage’s hospitals, universities, mental health and social agencies -- is health and education.
The state’s most troubling health problems, those that create incredible drains on both the public and private budgets, are an important focus of this area of Anchorage. Health professionals are fighting to develop creative, dynamic initiatives to solve these issues. The quality of our institutions and professionals has risen sharply during the past decade. I was able to receive that quality care this past year when diagnosed with cancer in a routine examination. As a result of the screening proficiency and surgical competence, I am able to campaign with gusto for another term and, yippee, am cancer free. Other consumers of our health businesses come not only from Anchorage, but also from throughout the state and from Pacific Rim countries as well.
State labor economists say that this growth is sustainable. There are four crucial issues that must be solved to insure this continued growth and outstanding potential.
State Policy – Which, like any business sector, requires stable, sensible policies and regulations. The recent fluctuations and gyrations in that policy must be corrected.
Transportation – What could physically threaten U/Med’s growth is traffic congestion. We will have to be creative and work quickly to win funding for both short-term and long-term solutions.
Affordable Health Access – Our expanding population of uninsured workers and seniors has increasing difficulty accessing health care. On the other hand, our providers are bearing a financial load for those who receive care but cannot pay. This is an issue that must be addressed. For the past four years I have worked with other Alaskans, building the foundation for a statewide health plan.
Workforce Training and Retention – K through college, our schools and universities must train our people for the fine jobs available within walking distance from our homes, but currently held by temporary expensive traveling health professionals.
On this site you will find a full discussion of these critical issues and ways that we can address each of them. Also, see the link to Sharon Cissna’s biography and note that her training and experience make her uniquely qualified to serve our community and economic hub.
Serving as your state representative has been an incredible privilege, a rewarding challenge, and an enormous pleasure. Thank you for this opportunity to serve, and I would be very pleased to continue serving to meet the awesome challenge building a future that we would all want to live in.
Sharon Cissna needs your support to win this seat. Contact Sharon or
her staff to find out how you would like to participate in this
seriously dedicated but lively, and fun-filled campaign.
PAID FOR BY FRIENDS TO RE-ELECT SHARON CISSNA, STATE HOUSE P.O. BOX 141892, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99514
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