Murkowski Morning Meeting for Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Murkowski Morning Meeting
The DC Daybook with Alaska in Mind
Wednesday, December 7, 2011

U.S. Senate – Events

Alaskan Health Costs on the Rise

Alaskan Impact: In Alaska, government pays 64 percent of health care costs, presenting a ‘significant fiscal challenge’ for our state. For many reasons, costs continue to rise for the state and federal governments footing the bill, as well as the many small businesses that pay for employees’ care. An added wrinkle is the fact that there is a problem with drug shortages in America. These shortages are frequently leading to patients not getting some needed medications or price gouging. Today the Senate Finance committee looked into the issue.

6:00am AKST
Senate Finance Committee Hearing
Topic: “Drug Shortages and Price Gouging”
Testimony from:

• Dr. Kasey Thompson – Vice President, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Dr. Patrick Cobb – Oncologist, Frontier Cancer Center
• Dr. Scott Gottlieb – Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

VIDEO: “We need both a carrot and a stick” to have drug manufacturers produce needed medications:

House of Representatives – Events

What’s Next for Our Troops in Afghanistan?

Alaskan Impact: As troop withdrawal begins in Iraq, new focus is on supporting Afghanistan and Iraq – and making sure the $1 trillion that has been invested in reconstruction efforts isn’t wasted. Questions remain on the continued role of the U.S. in the region, and today the House Oversight Committee heard from Defense Department officials on how best to conduct our operations efficiently so that the 3,500 Alaskan soldiers who are heading to Afghanistan stay safe.

6:00am AKST
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing
Topic: “Iraq and Afghanistan Oversight”
Testimony from:

• Defense Department Inspector General Gordon Heddell
• Deputy State Department Inspector General Harold Geisel
• Acting U.S. Agency for International Development Inspector General Michael Carroll

Questioning/Hearing: http://1.usa.gov/te8wnI

Off the Hill – Events

Small Business Boosting Our Economy

Alaskan Impact: There are more than 16,000 small businesses in Alaska and small business employment grew nationwide in November, thanks to legislation introduced in the House and Senate. The Atlantic hosted a discussion today which examined the impact of high growth business on our economy – which made up 10 percent of U.S. jobs last year.

4:00am AKST
The Atlantic Forum
Topic: “High Growth Business and Economic Recovery”
Participants:

• Senate Small Business Chairwoman Mary Landrieu, D-La.
• Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary Matthew Erskine
• Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO at Gallup

For more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. or to find out Senator Murkowski’s view on these issues – contact the Communications Office at 202-224-9301.
www.murkowski.senate.gov