Page 1429 – Must Read Alaska

Kimberley Strassel now writing from … where?

The Social

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February 11, 2019

Kimberley Strassel now writing from … where?

THE LAST FRONTIER, THAT’S WHERE

One of the most respected conservative political writers of our time, Kimberley Strassel, now writes her weekly Potomac Watch column for the Wall Street Journal from her home in Wasilla.

Wasilla? How is it that one of just six members of the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board lives in Wasilla?

The short answer is: The Oregon-born, Princeton-educated writer met and married an Alaskan, then moved here from Virginia, where she had been residing for many years.

Strassel is so down-to-earth, it’s no wonder she’s been able to remain fairly anonymous in her new home.

Although Strassel has lived in Alaska for going on two years, she’s flown under the radar. Few people recognize her when she shops, dressed like a mom, at Fred Meyer.

She gets up at 3 a.m. and starts her work day, writing three of the “unsigned” editorials that appear in the Journal each week, as well as her own column, “Potomac Watch.”

She also co-produces the Potomac Watch podcast three times a week with editorial page editor Paul Gigot and writer Bill McGurn, who writes the Journal’s “Main Street” column.

Strassel travels back and forth from the East Coast a lot, as her sources and the subjects about which she writes are primarily in the nation’s center of power, Washington, D.C. and New York City.

*Kimberly Strassel signs copies of her latest book for people who attended the Alaska Policy Forum evening conversation.*

On Saturday evening, Strassel shared a conversation with Must Read Alaska editor Suzanne Downing, as part of a donor thank you event for the Alaska Policy Forum, a public policy think tank that focuses on education, economy, and individual freedom. About 30 people attended.

Strassel and Downing discussed everything from the investigation into Donald Trump’s alleged campaign ties to Russian operatives (Strassel believes the investigation is coming to an end), to the latest emerging socialist political phenomenon, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, the wild-eyed congresswoman who represents New York’s 14th District, (who Strassel has described as a secret weapon for the Republican Party.)

“The Democrats seem oblivious to its power. And the GOP needn’t lift a finger for it to work. All Republicans have to do is sit back and watch 29-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez . . . exist,” she wrote last week.

[Strassel’s column is linked here. Wall Street Journal requires a subscription.]

The pair of writers — one who focuses on Alaska issues, and one who writes about the center of world power — also discussed the increasing trend toward bias in mainstream media reporting. Strassel is the author of “The Intimidation Game, How the Left is Silencing Free Speech.”

On Saturday, Strassel also mentioned the importance of state policy and governance, and said that’s one reason why she agreed to spend her Saturday evening with 30 thought leaders in Alaska. While her main beat is 4,300 miles away in D.C., she wanted to communicate just how relevant public policy is when it is closer to the people.

Seattle snow snarling Alaska travelers

The 907

Suzanne Downing

-

February 10, 2019

1

SOME FLIGHTS CANCELLED IN SNOWMAGEDDON

With a new weather system on the way, additional snow is expected in the Seattle and Portland areas starting Sunday evening and continuing through Tuesday morning.

Earlier this weekend, many flights in the Seattle Tacoma Airport were cancelled due to to the heavy snowfall.

Alaska Airlines reports it still is evaluating its flight schedules to determine how much air traffic Sea-Tac airport can handle with both limited visibility and the deicing requirements to operate safely.

“Safety is our number one priority, and we are planning to pre-cancel some flights on Monday. We will continue to evaluate the schedule and evolving weather conditions. Impacted guests will be notified of any cancellations and their travel rescheduled,” the airline stated online.

Alaska Air has also extended its flexible travel policy for customers through Monday for anyone wishing to change flights in/out Seattle and Portland as the winter weather conditions extend through the weekend.

Thousands of Alaskans travel through the SeaTac Airport every day. Alaska Airlines is not the only airline impacted, although Seattle is the major hub for the airline. Spokane and other regional airports have also has numerous flights cancelled over the weekend.

Tough week ahead for Knopp on Kenai?

Top News

Suzanne Downing

-

February 10, 2019

35

REPRESENTATIVE WILL FACE HIS CONSTITUENTS FRIDAY

Back in his home district on the Kenai Peninsula, folks are talking.

For political activists in this largely Republican district, where 5,200 registered Republican voters outnumber the 1,163 registered Democrats, this has been the winter of their discontent.

This is Trump country, here in Kenai/Soldotna.

Soldotna voters went 70 percent support of Trump and Kenai totaled 66 percent in 2016. Both results are far more than the 51 percent of the vote that Trump received statewide.

District 30’s representative, Gary Knopp, has gone against the prevailing winds. He ran unopposed last year and made statements that show him at odds with Gov. Michael Dunleavy.

In November, Knopp joined the Republican caucus that formed up immediately after the election, but by December, he left the group and has since held up confirmation of House Speaker for 26 days, since the House gaveled in on Jan 15. Knopp wants a bipartisan power structure — 50-50 Democrat and Republican, about 28 strong, not the 21 fragile caucus that he left.

His reason was, he said, David Eastman, the representative from District 10, whose votes so often go contrary to his fellow Republicans. Knopp just couldn’t see himself in a caucus with Eastman. A caucus of 21 would give Eastman too much power.

So instead, Knopp became the 21st vote, and he held out. On Friday, after Republicans nominated Dave Talerico for Speaker for the third time, the Republicans came up with just 20 votes. Knopp just disappeared, rather than vote. Republicans needed him, but he just wasn’t there.

[Read: Knopp refuses to show up to vote for Speaker]

The session is now one third over and the House hasn’t gotten organized, largely because Knopp has, since December, played Democrats against Republicans, trying to squeeze a deal for himself in some sort of power organization.

In a response to a story in Must Read Alaska, he said the Republicans keep trying to pull shenanigans.

“Because the Republicans constantly are pulling their shenanigans on the house floor, the speaker pro-Tem has began the process of recessing instead of adjourning in order to stop the disruptions on the house floor,” he wrote.

Those shenanigans are House Republicans insisting on holding a vote for Speaker.

[Read: A flurry of letters between Knopp, constituents]

REPUBLICANS ARE MEETING MONDAY NIGHT TO DISCUSS KNOPP

Last week, two Republican women’s clubs in his district called on Knopp to rejoin the Republican majority, writing a joint letter to him. But Knopp says that the letters are running 10-to-1 in his favor.

Recently, it came to light that Knopp had been a registered Democrat for the majority of his adult life in Alaska, only turning Republican when he ventured into public office.

That got folks talking where they gather at Ammo Can Coffee, where the local Republican district is holding a meeting on Monday evening at 6 pm to discuss the Knopp crisis.

[Read: Knopp was a Democrat for decades]

This may be the week of Knopp’s political reckoning. On Monday night, will his district Republicans simply ask him to rejoin the majority and vote for a Republican Speaker? Or will they ask him to resign?

The answer may depend on what Knopp does on Monday in Juneau. Will he have another sick-out? Or will he put his vote for or against a Speaker on the record?

And then there are other meetings in his home district, to which he is expected to attend.

Knopp is the featured speaker at a special Kenai/Soldotna Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Friday at 8 am, where some of his fans and critics may gather to hear him explain why he has held up the House organization.

Later on Friday, he is scheduled for a town hall meeting at Kenai River Suites Area Room from 5:30-7 pm.

HERE’S KNOPP’S ESCAPE HATCH

Knopp’s timing for his trip home to the Kenai may be part luck, part planning. The stars may align for him. Here’s why:

The delay of the House organization went according to the Democrats’ plan — hold off forming a leadership caucus until the budget is released and people get weak-kneed.

By Friday, the conversation across Alaska will be remarkably different from Monday’s chatter, because the governor’s budget will be released on Wednesday. It will, Dunleavy’s office has indicated, reflect spending that is no more than the actual revenues that Alaska has: around $4.6 billion.

Liberals will gnash their teeth and even conservatives will catch their breath at the smaller government footprint. That Alaskans will receive a $2,861 Permanent Fund dividend may not be enough to salve the wound of smaller government spending.

The Dunleavy budget is predicted to be about $1.6 billion less than the $5.7 billion Gov. Walker proposed in his December budget, which was a deficit-spending plan that was $330 million higher than Walker’s budget for the current year.

Knopp will likely tell his constituents that he opposes the Dunleavy budget. He’ll tell the Chamber of Commerce and town hall attendees that he’s going to fight those cuts on their behalf.

Knopp won’t necessarily say what budget number he would support, or how he would pay for it, but he will say what he is against — Dunleavy’s balanced budget.

By Friday’s public appearances, Knopp’s months of obstructing a House organization may be eclipsed by the discussion about where to find the money for everything Alaskans want.

For a man in his shoes, a Democrat who is now a false-flag Republican facing a possible recall, Knopp will have the Dunleavy budget as a foil, allowing him to focus the lens of public opinion away from his activities in Juneau.

“You’re going to have that bloc of legislators who are going to support the governor’s agenda and a bunch of us who are not,” Knopp said in December.

He hasn’t moved from that position and he has until his Thursday night flight home to form up a caucus based on opposition to the Dunleavy budget.

A positive step for Juneau’s waterfront

Columns

Suzanne Downing

-

February 9, 2019

0

ARCHIPELAGO PROJECT MOVES AHEAD IN SPIRIT OF COOPERATION

By WIN GRUENING
SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR

With the controversy surrounding the cruise industry lawsuit over the use of cruise passenger fees, it was gratifying to see the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and the industry working together cooperatively to gain city approval of the long-planned Archipelago Project.

Indeed, the components of this project should help address concerns about managing increasing numbers of cruise passengers as well as pave the way for a major private investment on the Juneau downtown waterfront that will create jobs and a more welcome destination for visitors.

The project is supported by the cruise industry and championed by City Manager Rorie Watt and his staff as a way to improve visitors’ experience and reduce congestion. Watt believes that “cruise ship tourism is a really important part of our economy, and with the growth of passengers we need to have more room on the waterfront for all the activities.”

The approved ordinance allows Juneau to enter into an agreement to purchase property from Archipelago Properties LLC, a private company (a subsidiary of Morris Communications, the former owner of the Juneau Empire), while simultaneously selling municipal property to Archipelago resulting in a net cost to Juneau of $922,175.

The land proposed to be purchased and sold (exchanged) will result in a mutually beneficial property configuration. Following the closing of the land transaction, CBJ and Archipelago will be able to pursue their separate but integrated development plans.

The ordinance was supported by a heavy majority of the Assembly – passing 7-2, with Assembly members Loren Jones and Rob Edwardson objecting.

The transaction with Archipelago will add slightly under half an acre of land to city ownership adjoining the new cruise ship docks – allowing public development of mostly un-utilized submerged tidelands thereby creating more open space for visitors, transportation staging, and community amenities.

The city portion cost of the project including land is approximately $20.5 million and will be funded primarily through fees collected from cruise passengers.

The private development by Archipelago, in which CBJ isn’t involved, is located on the uplands side adjacent to South Franklin Street. While it is currently an unimproved parking lot, Archipelago plans major improvements including around 20,000 square feet of commercial space – 75% of which would be designated ground floor retail for a variety of tenants as well as kiosks for local food vendors and other small businesses catering to tourism.

The Downtown Business Association and a number of neighboring property owners have publicly supported the project and it should not impact rental rates significantly as it only represents an estimated seven percent increase in the surrounding rental market inventory.

The project is an integral part of the 2018 Marine Park to Taku Dock Urban Design Plan – finalized and developed with the input of Juneau stakeholders and residents during community workshops, stakeholder meetings, and intensive public outreach, including seven public meetings last year.

The city portion of the development includes a transportation staging area and a large public plaza built on an expansive decked-over space on pilings. A modestly sized shelter structure for seasonal cruise passenger use that could also be available for community events in the off-season is envisioned in a later phase.

This should result in less pedestrian and vehicle congestion on downtown streets, add over $10 million in new taxable commercial property to Juneau’s tax rolls, and generate additional sales taxes for city coffers.

CBJ and cruise industry support of the project was facilitated through mutual negotiation and a skillful allocation of funding sources by city staff. The use of cruise passenger fees from prior years avoided further litigation while CBJ and CLIA discuss a settlement to determine how future cruise passenger fees are to be spent.

Everyone concerned seems optimistic that issues surrounding the lawsuit can be resolved.

It’s a hopeful sign that negotiations are progressing beyond legal questions involving expenditures and are now focusing on how necessary services and upland improvements benefiting both the city and the industry will be funded going forward.

If the Archipelago Project foreshadows a mutually agreeable settlement between Juneau and CLIA on the larger issues raised in litigation, both sides deserve credit for getting there.

Win Gruening retired as the senior vice president in charge of business banking for Key Bank in 2012. He was born and raised in Juneau and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970. He is active in community affairs as a 30-plus year member of Juneau Downtown Rotary Club and has been involved in various local and statewide organizations.

Why I’m no fan of power sharing agreement

Columns

Suzanne Downing

-

February 9, 2019

7

By GEORGE RAUSCHER
REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 9

For the past two weeks, I was asked to be a substitute member on a bipartisan committee that was created to explore the concept of power sharing. Late this week, I decided to withdraw.

Let me first say that I have great respect for the other House members who have worked long hours on this project to try to find a way forward. We all worked in good faith and did everything we could to move forward with this concept, but after many hours now spent, I can confidently say that I do not believe all the hurdles can be addressed. Since there is a Republican majority in both houses, the concept of power sharing, while noble on its face, seems to be a way to elevate the power of one caucus and diminish the power of the other caucus to a level playing field.

STALEMATE HAS LED TO DEEP DISCUSSIONS

As you know, there has been a stalemate in the State House over which caucus will have control. While Alaskans voted overwhelmingly for a Republican majority, three of our Republican representatives left our caucus.

Because of this reality, the Republicans have been unable to organize a needed majority of 21 and have entered into many discussions and negotiations to resolve the deadlock. Searching all possibilities, the thought of a unified effort was being considered.

The start of this process was to launch a bipartisan exploratory committee to hammer out a “power sharing agreement” proposal, under which leadership roles could be split between the caucuses. I stayed a part of that committee, curious as to where this was all headed.

One of the biggest obstacles to a sharing agreement, however, was that we would have to find a way to satisfy the requirements of Alaska’s Constitution, the Alaska statutes and the Uniform Rules.

This is much easier said than done.

It may be easy to look at other states that have had limited success in the concept of power sharing and think that success might be easily transferred, but each one of those states has its own constitution, statutes and internal rules that are all substantially different from Alaska’s.

Let’s take the Uniform Rules, for example — the rulebook that exists to govern the internal rules of both the House and the Senate.

In order to change the Uniform Rules to even allow for shared leadership in the House, the Republican-led Senate would have to agree to allow the House to change or suspend the Uniform Rules, which could seriously damage the integrity of the built-in safeguards that those rules provide. Because Senate bills would have to be sent over to the House side and to be put through the power sharing process, I do not believe the Senate would put their bills at a disadvantage within the confines of a power sharing agreement.

But even if we were to ignore this foundational issue, the remainder of the proposed power sharing agreement still has significant flaws. One of the cornerstones of this proposed agreement is that important decisions, such as who gets the third seat on a joint committee hearing a budget bill, could be determined by a coin toss. This is an illustration of broader issues.

A major tenet of the proposal states that, for a bill to be scheduled for a hearing in committee, both co-chairs of a committee (one Democrat and one Republican) must both agree to allow a bill to be heard or the bill would not be considered. This could stifle all bills from moving forward.

A concept called “silver bullets” was added to allow Senate and House bills to be heard in committees, regardless of any potential co-chair disagreement. But because the proposal also calls for even numbers of members from each caucus on each committee, bills would still be more likely to tie and stall out in committee than to get a majority of votes and move forward to the next stage.

The concept of “gold bullets” was added to allow important bills to be pulled out of the second committee of referral or the Finance Committee and go straight to the floor. But this doesn’t work either, because bills go to House Finance to be vetted for their expected cost to the state. We cannot afford to skip this process.

The plan also calls for leadership to be somewhat multiplied. It calls for a speaker and a speaker pro tempore, two Rules chairs and two whips, and in the House Finance Committee, two co-chairs of the capital budget and two for the operating budget, plus two vice chairs. At this point, utilizing committee aides becomes tricky, office space becomes a logistical challenge and it would be tough for staffing to come in under budget also.

It took Oregon six weeks to organize after agreeing to a power sharing agreement. I believe there is just too much to mitigate in the time frame we need to accomplish this structure.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make sure every Alaskan is represented in government, but we’re at a point with this proposal where we’d essentially have to create a double government to govern those doing the governing.

I even wonder if this would lead to calls for two administrations (one for each side of the aisle). Co-governors and co-lieutenant governors, doubling the bureaucracy we already have in Alaska so we can grant power to both sides simultaneously?

On Nov. 6, Alaskans elected 23 Republicans, 16 Democrats, and one independent into the State House. While they could have done exactly the opposite, the people of Alaska chose a Republican governor and a Republican majority of seats in both the Senate and House. The people spoke clearly, and we would be wise to listen to them.

At this juncture, two dozen days into session without organization, I propose we continue using the model that our framers laid out: a majority-led representative government.

Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, represents House District 9 in the Alaska House of Representatives.

Police are searching for John Vang, suspected arsonist

The 907

Suzanne Downing

-

February 8, 2019

2

Police are searching for John Vang, suspected arsonist

Thanks to an alert and responsive public, detectives identified one of the suspects in the investigation of Yakitori Sushi arson, which was set on Feb. 4 at the restaurant’s Tudor Road address.

An arrest warrant has been issued for John Vang (36-years-old).

Vang is the second suspect seen fleeing the business in the surveillance video released by police.

[Video: Arsonists caught on camera]

Vang is believed to have burn injuries to his lower body, but is not the suspect who caught his glove on fire. That suspect still has not been identified.

“The public’s response to helping the Anchorage Police Department and the Anchorage Fire Department has been very helpful. Those involved in these crimes should know that the public is actively assisting us with tips and evidence. The ability for detectives to identify John Vang is a great example of spotting something or someone suspicious (in person or smartphone/surveillance video) and calling the police,” police said in a statement.

If you have any information about the suspects and/or this investigation, including video (smartphone/and or surveillance) and the suspect’s whereabouts, please call Dispatch at 311 or Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP to remain anonymous.

Knopp refuses to show up to vote for Speaker

Suzanne Downing

-

February 8, 2019

45

Knopp refuses to show up to vote for Speaker

An unexcused and unexplained absence by Rep. Gary Knopp of Kenai has left the Alaska House of Representatives in disarray and without a Speaker for the 25th day.

During this morning’s session, Republicans had 20 votes in favor of Rep. Dave Talerico, and Democrats had 17 votes opposed. Two Democrats had excused absences — Zack Fields and Tiffany Zulkosky. Two Republicans — Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux and Rep. Louise Stutes, vote with the Democrats on everything.

Knopp was the 21st vote that would have ended the stalemate

But although Knopp attended the Ocean Beauty legislative reception on Thursday night, although he caucused with the Democrats early Friday, and attended the first half of the House session, he did not show up after a recess, during which he and Democrats huddled.

Speaker Pro Tem Neal Foster gaveled in at 10 am and the usual introductions were made by the members.

Knopp was in the House Chambers for this earlier portion of session, but when it came time to vote after a short recess, he simply didn’t return.

All legislators knew that there would be a vote for Speaker during Friday’s session. Democrats appeared relaxed, knowing that Republican Knopp was not going to show up for work.

People in the Capitol said Knopp claimed to be sick, but there was no public explanation and he had not asked for an excused absence.

This is Day 25 for the session, and the House is still without a Speaker, which means no business can be accomplished. Twice before, Knopp has voted against Rep. Talerico, of Healy, for Speaker.

Thursday’s floor session had been cancelled when no progress was made on the 21 votes needed to elect a Speaker. At this point, it appears that trust between Democrats and Republicans is at a low point.

[Read: House reaches new normal: Suspending the rules]

Crisis averted? How API became broken

The 907

Suzanne Downing

-

February 8, 2019

11

Commissioner Adam Crum speaks to the media on Friday.

(6-minute read) PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL WAS ON THE BRINK OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

The state’s psychiatric hospital was broken and close to being decertified by federal agencies.

That emergency prompted the Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum to act with speed, take over control of API, and then contract with a private company to manage the hospital, in the hopes of salvaging what has become known as one of the worst psychiatric hospitals in the country. He made the announcement today at a press conference in the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage.

Wellpath Recovery Solutions is a company that specializes in running state institutions like API. Crum and other health stakeholders hope the company can help retain the institution’s certification.

Four years of neglect by the Walker Administration, including a commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services who disappeared to her hometown of Bethel for months at a time, left the institution in shambles. It was worse than unsafe. It was dangerous.

The announcement of a professional management team is some of the only positive news to come out of API in the past few years. In fact, good news almost never comes out of psychiatric institutions anywhere in the country. Sometimes the best news is that they have retained their accreditation. They are the places where the most violent, most mentally ill, and most despairing citizens are housed, medicated, cleaned up and, sometimes, restrained.

In recent years, patients have become increasingly violent, abusing and attacking staff and other patients. Alaska’s mentally ill population has exploded, and because of the configuration of the institution, only 45 of the 80 beds can be filled.

Today’s announcement had the support of the Alaska Mental Health Trust, the Alaska Behavioral Health Association, North Star Behavioral Health, Alaska Regional Hospital, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and brought positive comments from legislators such as Sen. David Wilson, Senate President Cathy Giessel, Rep. Ivy Spohholz, and Rep. Matt Claman, all who expressed optimism.

Sens. Bill Wielechowski and Tom Begich took another approach, and slammed the move toward professional outside management of API; Wielechowski made a hair-on-fire Senate floor speech and Begich took to social media to criticize.

12-MONTHS OF RAPID DECLINE

Over the past year, work conditions at API had deteriorated. The institution was starting to get surprise visits from inspectors. It was taking in increasingly violent patients. Cameras were watching employees, documenting their every move, and handling a patient by using the “wrong” protocol was a point of stress for staff and management. The stress on API nurses and aides had become unbearable.

Last fall, a report by Anchorage attorney Bill Evans showed that the hospital was unsafe for the employees, as disputes raged over whether staff could use restraints on violent patients. Staff shortages were chronic and the staff were fearful for their lives and their jobs.

[Read Bill Evans’ independent report here]

In September, then-DHSS Commissioner Valerie Davidson came back from Bethel and promised things would change.

“No employee should feel unsafe when they go to work, and clearly the report indicates we do have an unsafe work environment,” Davidson said. Heads started to roll, from the top down.

API Chief Executive Ron Hale was soon replaced by Duane Mayes, who was director of DHSS’s Division of Senior and Disabilities.

Also let go were a deputy health commissioner and the director of the State Division of Behavioral Health.

But things didn’t get better. They got worse.

Davidson had been “phoning it in” from Bethel for much of her tenure as commissioner, an absentee overseer of her department at best.

By October, the Walker Administration was done, unable to be re-elected. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott was shown the door for his misdeeds, and Walker elevated Davidson to lieutenant governor. She gave speeches on behalf of his campaign. But his race for re-election was spiraling out of control, and there was no effective leadership at DHSS, which by now was itself falling apart.

The Walker-Mallott-Davidson Administration had through neglect brought the institution from being a serious concern to being a full-blown crisis.

[Read: API staff fearful to even call a code]

Gov. Michael Dunleavy and newly appointed Commissioner Adam Crum were left to pick up the pieces.

The new governor quickly accepted the resignations of the hospital’s chief of psychiatry and another psychiatrist. Dr. Anthony Blanford and Dr. John Bellville quickly enlisted the ACLU and are now suing to get their jobs back.

In December, federal officials were at API for an inspection. That report and the one that followed weeks later were devastating.

Duane Mayes, who was named the new CEO under Walker, left in December, taking another job within the state. He was never cut out to run a psychiatric institution.

[Read: The qualification, certification, and oversight reports here.]

Last Monday, yet another inspection was scheduled.

NURSE PLEADS FOR HELP

One nurse, who asked to remain anonymous, sent the following letter to Must Read Alaska, last week, and copied it to the State Ombudsman and members of the Board of Nursing:

“We are in crisis here at API. Tonight we walked into yet another slew of policies, paperwork, hourly reports and notifications, and documentation all without training or guidance. These requirements are removing our focus from our patients and our concentration on our med pass and patient safety. We need immediate intervention and representation here from each of you. We need you to speak with people on the floor and away from administration ASAP please. We are effectively no longer nurses but investigators and reporters, and in fear of discipline and retaliation.

“Administration failed to follow up on an actual sexual assault between patients and instead of them being accountable they are putting it on staff to hourly report things as small as psychotic statements made by patients, this is consuming our time and energy, focus, and ambition as nurses, and endangering patients. I will forward the policies.

“You will not have nurses to staff API if this madness continues. There is so much more to tell but tonight is breaking the camel’s back. People are contacting the press. Administration is not taking into account what it is like to work on the floor, not involving floor staff in decisions, and isolating all but one unit from input. There are instances of bullying, retaliation, unprofessional, and unethical behavior by the interim Director of Nursing. Statements have been prepared and more are being prepared. Morale and safety are at an all time low Fear of reprisal requires I remain anonymous, but there are many more voices you need to hear.”

Several other messages followed, describing the deteriorating situation.

Today may have been the day that API turned the corner.

Will private management improve the safety of patients and staff at API?

From information being sent to Must Read Alaska from inside the walls of the facility, things can only get better in an institution that has hit rock bottom.

Breaking: Commissioner takes over Alaska Psychiatric Institute

Suzanne Downing

-

February 8, 2019

9

Breaking: Commissioner takes over Alaska Psychiatric Institute

INVOKES HIS AUTHORITY UNDER STATE LAW

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum has invoked his authority under state law to immediately assume management of Alaska Psychiatric Institute.

In a news release this morning, the commissioner said the decision was made in response to the “considerable problems that continue to put patients and staff in jeopardy at API and in light of recent and ongoing investigations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other state and federal regulatory agencies.”

Commissioner Crum has contracted with Wellpath Recovery Solutions, a nationally recognized health care company with a proven record of success, to provide administrative leadership of the facility with continued oversight from the state.

“During the course of recent investigations at API, we determined immediate steps were needed to protect patients and staff and ensure complete compliance with federal regulations, which also allows the facility to continue to receive federal funds,” said Crum.

He recognized that serious efforts have been made towards addressing the deficiencies identified by federal and state authorities, but progress is not being made quickly enough.

“While additional security measures have recently been implemented at API to better ensure patient and staff safety, contracting with Wellpath was deemed necessary to further address safety and patient rights issues and bring the facility rapidly into complete compliance with federal and state standards,” he said.

Alaska state law (AS 47.32.140) allows for the commissioner to assume either temporary or permanent management of a licensed health care entity when there is reasonable cause to believe there is a danger to the health, safety or welfare of individuals receiving care from that entity.

Wellpath will provide administrative oversight with the intent of correcting problems of patient and staff safety and patient rights, bringing the hospital into rapid compliance with its regulatory bodies, improving the therapeutic environment, and preparing the hospital to return to its full capacity by June 30, 2019.

During the initial phase of the contract, Wellpath will bring in a team of experts to fill key leadership positions at API to support the successful completion of their mission. All API staff will remain in their positions as State of Alaska employees. Gavin Carmichael will continue as API’s acting chief executive officer. If Wellpath is successful in the first phase, the company will assume full responsibility of API after July 1, 2019.

“I recognize this decision may take Alaskans by surprise, but it was not made lightly. Changes have been needed at API for a very long time,” said Commissioner Crum. “This decision will help us solve these long-standing problems at API, and then allow us to more effectively broaden our focus to address the entire continuum of behavioral health care across Alaska.”

Wellpath, which merged with Correct Care Solutions and Correctional Medical Group Companies, has had success bringing facilities similar to API back into compliance with CMS and Joint Commission standards. In Massachusetts, Wellpath substantially improved conditions at the Bridgewater State Hospital after assuming operations in 2017. All hospitals managed by Wellpath are fully accredited by the Joint Commission.

A press conference will take place this morning with Crum, representatives from the Alaska Mental Health Trust, the Alaska Behavioral Health Association, North Star Behavioral Health, Alaska Regional Hospital and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

“By taking this step with the support of the health care community, the State of Alaska and our health care partners can begin to seriously address API’s longstanding problems and Alaska’s behavioral health crisis,” Crum said.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

Seattle snow snarling Alaska travelers

Tough week ahead for Knopp on Kenai?

A positive step for Juneau’s waterfront

Police are searching for John Vang, suspected arsonist

Knopp refuses to show up to vote for Speaker

Crisis averted? How API became broken

Breaking: Commissioner takes over Alaska Psychiatric Institute

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