Sullivan tells AFN nearly $250 million in rural health money has been allocated

Sen. Dan Sullivan told the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage on Thursday that almost $250 million in federal rural health money has been allocated in Alaska, almost $70 million of it directly to tribes.

The money comes from the Rural Health Transformation Program, which is expected to deliver about $1.4 billion to Alaska over five years, according to Sullivan's office.

"In the past year, almost a quarter of a billion dollars has been allocated under this new program, including almost $70 million going directly to Alaska tribes, many represented here, in 68 innovative health care programs," Sullivan said.

His examples: $2 million for the Arctic Slope Native Association to expand surgical services, $2 million for Maniilaq to modernize health care technology and nearly $3 million for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation for telehealth and telecommunications. He also cited a Tanana Chiefs Conference plan to deliver prescriptions to remote villages by drone.

Alaska News reported Sept. 14 that requests for the money topped $2.5 billion, and Sept. 18 that state award notices had passed $239 million.

The speech also covered bills Sullivan has introduced, which Alaska News reported Oct. 23. On energy, he cited the Energy Department's Oct. 5 announcement of up to $150 million for the Beluga-Healy transmission line, which he said would bring down utility costs. He also noted that the department's Office of Indian Energy selected 20 Alaska projects requesting about $50 million for award negotiations that morning.

Sullivan said his bill in the Water Resources Development Act directs $250 million to running water and flush toilets in Alaska communities. He said it was approved unanimously at markup.

He also said he has introduced legislation to open about 4 million additional acres for land selections by Alaska Native Vietnam veterans in Southeast Alaska and on the North Slope.

Neither the land bill nor the water measure has passed Congress. Sullivan faces former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in a four-candidate Senate race on Nov. 3.