Reps. Mike Hawker and Bill Stoltze, and Sen. Kevin Meyer hosted a press conference on new funding for Medicare & Medicaid pa

(L-R) Reps. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, and Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, and Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage. The trio hosted a press conference at the State Capitol today to announce a new funding initiative brought forward by a retired physician, Dr. George Rhyneer, to start a clinic that specifically sees Medicare and Medicaid patients. There’s a growing problem across the state as hospitals and private clinics refuse to admit Medicare and Medicaid eligible patients due to the low reimbursement rate. The funding plan forwarded by the lawmakers and Dr. Rhyneer calls for $1 million in state funds and potentially $500,000 from the federal government to lease and operate a clinic in Anchorage, with hopes of mirroring the plan in communities across the state, if successful.