Hendricks-Pearce v. State, Department of Corrections

In my view, the court's interpretation of AS 88.30.028 is incorrect, and traditional methods of statutory construction-looking to the statute's text, legislative history and purpose, longstanding interpretations of administrative regulations, and policy considerations-all require the opposite interpretation. I would hold that AS 88.80.028 does not render a prisoner lacking collateral resources enumerated in subsection (a) personally liable for the costs of medical care obtained from outside providers. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent and do not join the plurality opinion.1

*40Alaska Statute…