Offical word:
Murkowski Undergoes Angioplasty for Blocked Artery

April 9, 2003

(Juneau) – Following a battery of tests which confirmed that he had a blocked artery, Governor Frank H. Murkowski last evening was given an angioplasty, a medical procedure to open the flow of blood through the artery. A stent was then inserted to keep the walls of the blood vessel open. The procedure lasted about 20 minutes. He was alert after the procedure and visited with family. Murkowski rested comfortably at Providence Alaska Medical Center throughout the night. He is expected to be discharged in the very near future.

Governor Bill Sheffield underwent an angioplasty during his term of office.

Murkowski was flown to Anchorage from Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital, where he had checked himself in yesterday afternoon, feeling dehydrated and generally tired. He was transferred from Bartlett to Providence by medical flight, checking into Providence at about 7:25 p.m.

Murkowski said he appreciates the outpouring of concern Alaskans have shown over his medical condition and that he hopes to be back to work soon. He said he is looking forward to working with the Legislature next week to get his budget passed.

Murkowski also said he is inspired by the progress being made on the natural gas pipeline project in Congress, where critical provisions have been approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“The incentive package is coming together nicely,” Murkowski said. “The committee has agreed to an 80 percent guarantee for the loans to build the gas pipeline. This provision, coupled with the commodity risk provision and the accelerated depreciation, approved by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on April 2nd, and the Stranded Gas Act bill which we signed on Monday, will assist in moving along the gasline project. I look forward to active negotiations with the sponsor group in the very near future.”

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Contact: John Manly, Press Secretary, 465-3995