Murkowski Morning Meeting For Tuesday, September 16, 2014

What DC is Reading

• Washington Post: Obama Faces Challenge In Rallying Support For His Handling Of Foreign Policy Crises
• The Atlantic Journal-Constitution: Patients Take On More Health Care Costs, Struggle To Find Prices
• CNN: Much Uncertainty About ISIS Coalition

U.S. Senate Events

Dealing with the ISIS Threat

Alaskan Impact: President Obama’s ambiguous plan to respond to the ISIS threat underwhelmed Senator Murkowski and many Alaskans – mostly for the lack of details or a cohesive vision for dealing with Islamic extremists head-on, not just reacting to individual crises. Today, the Senate Armed Services Committee questioned Administration officials on what the next steps are to deal with the threat posed by this barbaric group, and many of Murkowski’s concerns were echoed by her colleagues.

5:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

Topic: “U.S. Policy Towards Iraq and Syria and the Threat Posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).”

Witnesses:

• Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense
• General Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Senators Inhofe, Manchin and Reed ask questions about the ISIS strategy. (Click to view)
Watch the entire hearing by clicking here.

Point, Click, Care

Alaskan Impact: Alaskans face a number of challenges when it comes to healthcare, such as lack of providers and inadequate access in some rural pockets of our state. To meet the needs of those who live in the many remote areas of our state, telehealth can be such a vital tool. Senator Murkowski understands the value of new technologies that can bridge the distance between patients and caregivers, but recognizes those new technologies have room for improvement. Today’s Special Committee on Aging roundtable meeting discussed ways our nation’s telehealth program can be strengthened.

10:00a.m. AKDT

Senate Special Committee on Aging Roundtable Hearing

Topic: “Harnessing the Power of Telehealth: Promises and Challenges?”

Witnesses:

• Marc Hartstein, Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Hospital and Ambulatory Policy Group
• Matthew Quinn, Director of Healthcare Initiatives at the Federal Communications Commission
• Andrew Gavil, Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Policy Planning
• Karen Goldman, Attorney Advisor for the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Policy Planning

Watch the hearing by clicking here.

U.S. House Events

Increasing Employment by Cutting Energy Costs

Alaskan Impact: A major concern for most Alaskans is the high cost of energy and the strain it places on a family’s budget. The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs & More American Jobs Act includes many objectives that Senator Murkowski has actively supported in the Senate. These goals include building the infrastructure to connect our natural resources to markets and consumers, supporting the safe and responsible development of our natural resources, and using our energy as a diplomatic tool. In a few hours, the House Rules Committee will discuss this legislation.

11:00a.m. AKDT

House Rules Committee Hearing

Topic: Full committee meets to formulate a rule on the “American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act”; and the “Jobs for America Act.”

Click here to watch the hearing online.