Alaska House raises unemployment benefits, expands telehealth coverage

The Alaska House of Representatives voted Wednesday to raise unemployment insurance benefits for the first time since 2009 and expand healthcare access through telehealth pay parity.

The House concurred 34-6 on House Bill 302. The bill increases the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $370 to $470. It raises the weekly benefit for each dependent from $24 to $72. It authorizes the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to adjust benefits annually for inflation.

Representative Carolyn Hall said the $470 maximum represents 45 percent of the maximum taxable wage base in Alaska. She noted that 50 percent is the national standard, which would be $521.

Representative Zack Fields said Alaska's current maximum weekly benefit is almost four times lower than Washington state. He said one reason Alaska has been losing skilled trades workers is they cannot make ends meet. In every other state in the Pacific Northwest they can earn better wages. He noted that construction and oil and gas work is inherently seasonal.

Fields said the bill is essential to make sure that pipefitters, teamsters, and operating engineers who work on the slope and work surface transportation in the summer remain in Alaska if the state can build a gas line.

The House also concurred 39-1 on HB 14. The bill expands telehealth pay parity and raises line-of-duty disability benefits for firefighters and police officers from 40 percent to 75 percent after the first year. Representative Chuck Kopp said current law leaves permanently injured peace officers and firefighters at 40 percent pay and without employer healthcare. The bill also repeals a catastrophic illness program that no Alaskan has used in seven years.

House Bill 302 also includes provisions from Senate Bill 185 that update Alaska insurance laws. The provisions clarify permissible rebate and discount practices, allow health-related wellness incentives, ban misleading free insurance advertising, and permit insurers to operate good faith pilot programs.

The House passed title change resolutions for both bills. Speaker Bryce Edgmon announced the votes during the final day of floor business for the 34th Alaska Legislature's regular session. The House adjourned sine die after members made closing remarks.