Brandy Johnson and her three daughters were expected to enjoy continued health coverage after the passing of husband and father Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Scott Johnson about two years ago—but no legislative action has been taken since.
In 2014, Scott Johnson and colleague Trooper Gabe Rich were fatally shot at close range in their attempt to apprehend Arvin Kangas in Tanana, who was being taken into custody in connection with threats he had made to a village public safety officer.
Following the incident, Brandy Johnson asked one of her husband’s associates if her health insurance coverage would continue.
"I was initially told I was set for life by one lieutenant,” Brandy told a legislative committee in 2015. “However, that was not the case."
Despite moral support and endorsement from former Gov. Sean Parnell and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, Brandy Johnson remains unable to secure health insurance coverage for herself and her three daughters.
Arvin Kangas’ son Nathanial, 22, was arrested on first-degree murder charges. He goes on trial May 2.
Also on May 2, the state House is anticipated to debate an amendment of SB 91—the “crime bill”—that would offer health insurance coverage for surviving kin of police and firefighters who passed away in the line of duty.
A bill introduced on Jan. 21, 2015 by Rep. Charisse Millett would have provided health insurance coverage to surviving dependents such as Brandy Johnson, reported the Alaska Dispatch News. The proposition, however, did not pass.
By settling for an amendment of a bill that is remotely related to health insurance coverage instead of creating an entirely new bill, the resulting legislation planned by the House could be declared unconstitutional by the courts.
