Surrounded by Republican colleagues, President Donald Trump put pen to paper Wednesday night and ended the longest-ever government shutdown. While federal employees were back to work Thursday, the effect of the last month is likely to continue to be felt for some time.
will receive their SNAP benefits today, a state spokesperson said, but the month-long government shutdown ’s impact on Alaska is expected to linger. That includes healthcare costs, which could triple for 28,000 residents by year’s end, and federal employees who are still waiting for back pay after President Donald Trump ended the longest-ever government shutdown Wednesday night.
Federal employees returned to work Thursday, but many are struggling financially after missing paychecks for more than a month. “Some of them are on life support,” said consultant Augie Carlino, describing the experience he’s heard from government employees he works with while speaking with Alaska’s News Source at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Thursday. “I always counsel, them make sure you have other funds that you raise instead of just relying on the government.”. Alaska’s News Source reached out to David Owens, a national representative with the American Federation of Government Employees, for comment and update Thursday, but the call was not returned.A spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Health confirmed to Alaska’s News Source Thursday that the 66,000 Alaskans who use SNAP benefits will receive those benefits by the end of the day.The state couldn’t fund SNAP benefits because it couldn’t modify its system before Nov. 17. “In order to disburse the state funds that the governor had authorized, several changes had to be implemented,” Alaska DOH spokesperson, Shirley Sakaye, said in an email Wednesday, adding the next day, “we will continue to finalize the process needed to use state general funds to fund SNAP if this situation arises in the future. In this way, we will be better prepared to mobilize swiftly pending funding availability.” Unlike other states that funded SNAP benefits during the shutdown, Alaska instead directed $2.5 million in funding from the disaster declaration toward food banks and pantries, Sakaye said.“Demand has been really high,” Durr said, citing multiple factors increasing need — like the impact of former Typhoon Halong. “All of our partners are reporting increases. And this is usually a time when we’re seeing a little dip in need because the permanent fund came out in October. “I think there’s probably still going to be, you know, some lingering uncertainty around the SNAP benefits and if something like this will happen again.”The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of 40 airports across the country facing flight cuts, but since the announcement, the airport has largely downplayed the impact. “ANC and FAI have experienced minimal impact from the government shutdown, and most effects were mitigated easily,” airport spokesperson Lex Yelverton said in a message Thursday. “At this time, we do not foresee any notable impact on our operations. “Passengers experiencing cancellations and delays should reach out directly to their airline, as carriers can provide the most current information on flight status.” Several travelers told Alaska’s News Source their travel experiences Thursday largely went without hiccups, too. “Seattle was one of the airports gonna have issues, but I didn’t hear anything,” Tony Roberts, a touring band member, said. “Everything seemed pretty similar.” “I’m flying to Seattle tonight,” Eric Ward, who works on the North Slope, said. “I was scheduled for 1 a.m. just because I was worried about flight delays, and then they got me on an earlier flight now, so that was good.”The shutdown-ending bill excluded ACA subsidy extensions, potentially causing healthcare costs to skyrocket for“Alaska is among the few states where the underlying full-price rates are essentially stable; however, the enhanced subsidies enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act expire at the end of calendar year 2025,” the website forreads. “This means the out-of-pocket premiums Alaskans pay for insurance may increase dramatically depending on your income.” The tax credits, or subsidies, began under 2021 legislation and were extended in 2022. The credits expanded eligibility for lower health insurance premiums to those whose incomes exceed 400% of the federal poverty level and increased the amount of financial assistance. One dramatic example: Two 64-year-olds earning $105,721, stand to have their premiums rise from $749 per month with enhanced credits to $4,809 per month Kaiser Family Foundation analysis shows some families could pay more than half their income for coverageSenate passed a plan Monday to end the government shutdown without protections for those subsidies. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, played a role in crafting that deal. “I would be remiss if I did not also thank our staff. My staff missed an entire night’s sleep to get this package together and get the job done,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine,after announcing a deal has been struck with enough Democrats to move past the filibuster. “I want to particularly thank the members of the Appropriations Committee, including ... Lisa Murkowski.” Murkowski told Alaska’s News Source she’s negotiated to extend the subsidies but has faced a “trust deficit.” “I don’t know anybody in Alaska that says, ‘oh, I’m good with the doubling of my health care insurance costs, much less anyone who says that a tripling is doable,’” Murkowski said before voting Monday. “This is not the right direction and we know it.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski tells Alaska's News Source on an extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, the Senate is dealing with a"deficit of trust." The deal does come with a promise to address the healthcare issue before December, when the tax credits expire. When Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, spoke with Alaska’s News Source last week, he blamed Democrats for setting “the end date on the subsidies,” and added the healthcare issue would only be addressed after the government reopened. “I am working very diligently on reforms and extensions to these subsidies and I’m hopeful that we’re going to be able to get there,” Sullivan said. On an Extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks explains how flight reductions impact Alaska, insurance arguments amid shutdown.
Government Reopen SNAP AFGE American Federation Of Government Employees President Donald Trump Food Insecurity Governor Mike Dunleavy Shirley Sakaye Disaster Declaration Flight Reduction Anchorage Anchorage International Ted Stevens International Affordable Care Act Obamacare Senator Lisa Murkowski Senator Dan Sullivan
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