Bill Overview
Title: Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System Act of 2022
Description: This bill designates the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Anchorage, Alaska, as the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System.
Sponsors: Rep. Peltola, Mary Sattler [D-AK-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: People affiliated with the VA medical center in Anchorage, Alaska
Estimated Size: 45000
- This legislation affects the naming of the VA Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska.
- The primary group impacted will be users and staff of the Anchorage VA Medical Center.
- Veterans who use the VA medical center in Anchorage, Alaska, will be directly impacted.
- The legislation may increase awareness and recognition of the facilities among veterans in Alaska.
Reasoning
- This policy affects primarily the naming of a VA facility, which means it might not have a substantial direct impact on wellbeing scores for most people.
- The primary group impacted will be the veterans who use the services at the Anchorage VA Medical Center and the staff employed there.
- This is largely a symbolic change with minimal financial impact, thus affecting awareness and recognition rather than infrastructure or service quality.
- The budget for the policy is minimal and spread over a long duration, indicating that significant infrastructure or service changes are not feasible.
- Consideration of people unrelated to the Anchorage VA Medical Center indicates no direct wellbeing impact, though awareness of veteran issues might be slightly increased.
Simulated Interviews
Retired, Veteran (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the recognition of the VA center, but I don't see it changing the care I receive.
- It's nice to know someone is acknowledging the importance of our services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Nurse (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The name change is a nice gesture, but it doesn't affect my daily work.
- If it brings more recognition or support, that's always a good thing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this affects me at all. It's a good thing for those who go there, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Veteran Affairs Officer (Juneau, Alaska)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might help in highlighting the services available, which could benefit outreach efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My husband visits the VA, but this change doesn't seem to affect us much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Receptionist at VA Medical Center (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a nice tribute, but it doesn't change what I do every day.
- If it boosts morale, that's great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Veteran (Nome, Alaska)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Haven't been to the VA in a while, this naming doesn't seem relevant to me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Veteran Affairs Psychologist (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The name change might make some feel more appreciated, but it's more a symbolic change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Engineer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This doesn't affect me; it seems focused on honoring a veteran at a facility I'll probably never visit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Veteran (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like the new name, it makes me feel good about where I get my care, but it doesn't change the care itself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000 (Low: $10000, High: $50000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The legislation is purely symbolic and does not alter the function or service provision of the VA Medical Center.
- The primary costs arise from necessary changes to signage and administrative updates.