State public health agency covering Medicaid, epidemiology, behavioral health, senior services, and emergency medical services for rural and urban Alaska.
The Alaska Department of Health on Friday announced notices of intent to award more than $4.5 million to 19 projects under the state's $272 million first-year federal Rural Health Transformation award. More notices will follow each Friday.
The Alaska Department of Health has proposed raising the income ceiling for child care assistance from 85 percent to 105 percent of state median income and creating a new PASS V category for families in that band. Written comments are due Sept. 14.
The CDC confirmed 1,645 domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases across 34 states since May 1, 2026, roughly six times the 249 cases reported by the same date last year, with a separate cluster of more than 400 cases still under investigation and no food source confirmed. Alaska has five cases this year, consistent with its typical annual count.
Alaska recorded 503 syphilis cases in 2025, a record, along with 14 cases of congenital syphilis in newborns — the worst outbreak in state history, hitting Alaska Native communities hardest.
The Anchorage Assembly weighs just over $1 million for nonprofits providing food, emergency shelter, and health and housing support to vulnerable residents, with a vote Aug. 4.
laska's yearly Medicaid rate update drew provider complaints that reimbursement still doesn't cover the cost of rural and tribal care, with public comment open through July 30.
Alaska joined a federal demonstration of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which must provide 24/7 crisis care to anyone regardless of ability to pay. Two clinics are certified so far.
Updated state behavioral health guidance issued Monday says unlicensed master's-level clinicians may affiliate only with qualifying community behavioral health clinics under Alaska Medicaid, a restriction absent from the June 2 version.
Governor Mike Dunleavy signed HB 73 on Thursday, creating a new 'Complex Care Residential Homes' license category in Alaska law for individuals with severe behavioral and medical needs who fall between home care and hospitalization. Regulations must be in place by July 1, 2031.
Alaska's Department of Health released recordings from its Rural Health Transformation Program sessions and announced upcoming regional planning meetings as part of a $272 million federal initiative to strengthen rural health care systems.
New Alaska data shows 55% of toddlers have completed the recommended vaccine series and 77% of kindergartners have MMR coverage, below national averages and the herd-immunity threshold.
Alaska raised its daily reimbursement for assisted living homes serving low-income seniors to $113.13, a 3.5% increase critics say still lags the state's high and rising cost of care.
Alaska seniors reported the highest rate of fraud complaints in the nation in 2024, losing $8.17 million primarily to tech support scams that used cryptocurrency to transfer funds.
The state is running two-week intensive courses this fall to certify chemical dependency counselors and technicians. Scholarships are available, and participants can attend in person in Anchorage or fully remote.
A new federal Medicaid rule requiring adults to prove work or qualifying activity takes effect by January 2027, and Alaska faces significant administrative and geographic challenges in implementing it without cutting off eligible residents.
Alaska Medicaid providers must file biennial self-audits by Dec. 31 and repay any overpayments, a program-integrity requirement that follows June fraud charges against 15 defendants.
Cook Inlet Housing Authority will begin construction this year on 24 affordable senior apartments in Airport Heights, funded through a public-private partnership and private foundations. The units are scheduled for completion in 2027.
Federal rule requires certain Medicaid adults to complete 80 hours of work or related activities monthly starting January 1, 2027. Public comment is open through July 31.
Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the FY 27 operating budget on June 26, triggering an immediate increase in daily reimbursement rates for Alaska's General Relief Assisted Living Home program from $109.32 to $113.13 per resident, effective Wednesday.
Alaska's Tobacco Quit Line has expanded free cessation services to include iqmik and nicotine pouches, with healthcare providers able to refer patients through online forms, fax, or electronic health records.
Alaska launched a prevention campaign targeting young adults ages 18 to 25 because national data shows substance use increases after age 25, making early intervention critical.
Committee heard testimony on legislation to lower developmental delay thresholds from 50% to 25% for early childhood services, potentially serving more children and saving millions in future special education costs.
Alaska ERs received individual Gap Reports grading their readiness to treat children in emergencies; a June 24 webinar helps hospitals turn the findings into action plans.
A federal loan repayment program offers Alaska substance use disorder workers up to $250,000 for student loans in exchange for six years of service at approved facilities, with applications due June 23, 2026.
Alaska Behavioral Health in Fairbanks and JAMHI Health & Wellness in Juneau are the state's first two certified providers in a new federal demonstration program that guarantees sustainable Medicaid funding for comprehensive mental health and substance use services—a concrete shift from grant-dependent funding that could reshape rural access.
The Alaska Division of Senior and Disabilities Services reissued its fiscal year 2027 rate alert to fix an error in the waiver service rate chart, while confirming a 3.2% inflation increase to Medicaid home and community-based services effective July 1, 2026.
Alaska EMS agencies can now use a new national online assessment tool to evaluate their pediatric emergency readiness and identify gaps in equipment, training, and protocols.
Alaska's Department of Health is implementing a $272 million federal rural health program through regional stakeholder meetings, with sessions completed in Seward, Kenai, and Fairbanks and more scheduled for Mat-Su and Anchorage.
New state epidemiology report reveals children enrolled in Medicaid have three times the rate of four or more adverse childhood experiences compared to non-enrolled children, highlighting stark economic disparities in childhood trauma exposure across Alaska.
The state has opened a two-week public comment window on its 2026-2027 Title V MCH Block Grant plan, giving Alaskans until June 14 to shape strategies affecting pregnant women, infants, children, and families statewide—a short timeline for rural and tribal communities to organize feedback.
Huna Totem Corporation, Hoonah's Alaska Native village corporation, seeks liquor licenses for two cruise vessels — the latest step in its expanding Native-owned tourism empire.
New federal rules tied to H.R. 1 would expand SNAP work requirements to Alaskans ages 18 to 64 and could cost the state up to $42.2 million in benefit cost-sharing and $10.7 million more annually in administrative costs depending on payment error rates.
The 4th Annual LINKS Resource Fair takes place June 18 at Iditapark in Wasilla, offering Mat-Su families free access to local organizations, disability resources, and community connections in one afternoon.
Alaska Native children under 10 experienced nearly double the national rickets rate during 2001–2010, with incidence climbing sharply at higher latitudes, according to a 2017 Alaska Division of Public Health report summarizing the state's vitamin D research and supplementation guidance.
The Anchorage Assembly takes up three Anchorage Health Department grant appropriations Tuesday totaling roughly $460,000 for teen pregnancy prevention, aging and disability navigation, and case management at two public housing complexes serving seniors and people with disabilities.
The Anchorage Assembly takes up two resolutions on July 7 that would appropriate a combined $359,873 in state and AHFC grants to fund the Aging and Disability Resource Center and a case management specialist at two public housing complexes serving seniors and people with disabilities.
The Alaska Department of Health is hosting the second round of stakeholder webinars May 13-15 for its $272.1 million Rural Health Transformation Program, following regional planning meetings in Seward, Kenai, and Fairbanks.
Alaska launched a mobile-friendly application for public assistance programs, but the digital-first approach raises access questions in rural communities with limited broadband.
Lawmakers debate legislation requiring the state to pay non-profits, municipalities, and tribal organizations within 30 days, matching standards for private contractors.
by Walter AlaskaNews10h ago1 min readAI
