“The clients I support are often ignored by the system, left without a safety net. Alaska already has the highest per capita rate of individuals unable to access services. Cutting Medicaid would only deepen this crisis. Without caregivers and peer support, people will fall through the cracks—turning to crime, drugs, or homelessness. The consequences will ripple through our hospitals, courts, and jails, ultimately costing the state far more than the investment in Medicaid.
This isn’t just about policy; it’s about people. My own children rely on Medicaid for healthcare.
If funding is slashed, they—like countless others—will suffer. I wouldn’t be alive today without Medicaid, and I wouldn’t be able to give back to my community. Every day, I help others find a way out of hopelessness. That’s the power of investing in people.
Alaska cannot afford to turn its back on its most vulnerable. Stand with me. Stand with those who need care. Invest in Medicaid, because when we invest in people, we invest in a stronger Alaska.
Rebecca Leigh Reiss is a peer support specialist and caregiver who advocates for Medicaid funding and community support services. She works with individuals in recovery and those with disabilities, helping them reintegrate into society and access essential care. She lives in Butte.“