Alaska’s Native people have a long, rich heritage in our vast state. From the rainforests of Southeast to the rolling tundra of the North Slope, the needs throughout Alaska Native and rural communities are unique and wide-ranging. A “one size fits all” approach to challenges does not accommodate for the broad political, economic and cultural differences in these communities.

Senator Begich is committed to working closely with tribes, municipalities, non-profit representatives, Alaska Native Corporation officials, and individual Alaska Native constituents on issues from health care to the high cost of energy in rural Alaska—empowering communities to work toward another 10,000 years of success.

Rural Health Care

Delivering health care to people spread throughout isolated communities in a territory nearly a fifth the size of the continental United States is expensive and extremely challenging. Alaska’s tribal health community has implemented many cutting-edge technologies to address these challenges, such as telemedicine and extensively trained community health aides. However, much more can be done to reduce the deficit of care experienced by many rural Alaskans.

Senator Begich continues to fight for increased funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) Alaska Area, which—on average—is underfunded at about 38.1 percent (as of December 2010). Believing it is important to close the health care funding gap Alaska’s tribal health organizations struggle under, he also continues to support increasing funds for Contract Support Costs, the Joint Venture program and the staffing packages guaranteed through that program.

Senator Begich played a crucial role in securing $152 million for a sorely needed new hospital in Nome through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He was also proud to help secure the first permanent reauthorization for the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in nearly two decades.

Though small steps, these accomplishments will help enhance health care delivery in rural Alaska.

Rural Energy

Energy costs in parts of rural Alaska are among the highest in the nation. Most of Alaska's approximately 200 rural villages can be reached only by airplane, riverboat, or snow machine in the winter. Dependent heavily on the cost of transportation, fuel prices in Alaska’s most remote villages can cost more than $10 per gallon.

Senator Begich is working to provide affordable energy to rural Alaska communities by partnering with state and federal agencies to develop renewable energy sources, such as wind, geothermal, hydropower and tidal power. He is also working to provide increased use of energy efficient appliances, lighting, and home weatherization.

The Senator was pleased to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, which appropriated more than $16 million to tribes in Alaska working to lower energy costs. It also provided more than $18 million in weatherization funding and $26 million to the State of Alaska Energy Authority.

Subsistence Rights

Senator Begich strongly supports subsistence rights for Alaska Native people. This traditional way of life, practiced for thousands of years, must be preserved for the economic and cultural well-being of Alaskans.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar commissioned an evaluation of subsistence management in Alaska, and Senator Begich believes more can be done to strengthen this important program. He continues to work with the State of Alaska, U.S. Senate Committees, and federal agencies to ensure rural subsistence is protected.

Small Business Administration 8(a) Program

Alaska Native regional and village corporations have used the Small Business Administration 8(a) program to form business partnerships in fields ranging from defense contracting to construction. As a result, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) have created economic development opportunities, distributed millions of dollars in dividends and deployed other benefits throughout Alaska. Senator Begich is working to protect the 8(a) contracting preferences for Alaska Native Corporations and tribes to ensure these organizations remain a cornerstone of Alaska's economy.