State public health agency covering Medicaid, epidemiology, behavioral health, senior services, and emergency medical services for rural and urban Alaska.
Juneau, AK, USA
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Betsy Wood
“we'll work with CMS to complete any federal review that may be required under the cooperative agreement, and then DOH and ACF will work together to finalize and execute the award agreements with those implementation awards expected to begin in, in August of this year.”Alaska Dept. of Health: RHTP Advisory Council (July 1, 2026) · Jul 1, 2026
Alison Miller
“following that individual project-level evaluation, the department leadership will complete a portfolio-level review, which is where we're sort of checking for that, that broader, more sort of puzzle aspect to the applications, making sure that all of the projects fit together, that there is even distribution across the state, that we're meeting the biggest needs and serving all populations as much as we can.”Alaska Dept. of Health: RHTP Advisory Council (July 1, 2026) · Jul 1, 2026
Alison Miller
“that will be completed by DC REACHI and Commissioner Hedberg, with Commissioner Hedberg making all of the final decisions.”Alaska Dept. of Health: RHTP Advisory Council (July 1, 2026) · Jul 1, 2026
Betsy Wood
“over the next several weeks, these applications will move through administrative review, project evaluation, and portfolio review, and we'll cover each of these components in a little more detail a little bit later on in the presentation, but those are the stages that the applications will walk through before the final funding recommendations are developed. We're anticipating that that review and evaluation process, you know, we've, we've been in the thick of it since the application period closed.”Alaska Dept. of Health: RHTP Advisory Council (July 1, 2026) · Jul 1, 2026
Betsy Wood
“We received a number of proposals focused on maternal and early childhood health, as well as tribal-led models that integrate tribal healing and culturally grounded approaches to care. While each proposal addresses local needs, again, the portfolio as a whole advances the broader vision that the state has collectively built for a more accessible, sustainable, and connected rural health system.”Alaska Dept. of Health: RHTP Advisory Council (July 1, 2026) · Jul 1, 2026
Betsy Wood
“I would anticipate that those, those subawards would, would be executed in August depending on, you know, what degree of question or back and forth or refinement we need to have. So just want to share that. But we, you know, anticipate that the implementation awards will begin again later this summer. And for the first performance period, organizations should plan to complete their project activities and expend their awarded funds by June 30th, 2027.”Alaska Dept. of Health: RHTP Advisory Council (July 1, 2026) · Jul 1, 2026
Alaska issues intent to award $30 million to 37 rural health projects
The Alaska Department of Health on Friday, August 14, announced notices of intent to award more than $30 million to 37 projects under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a week after a first round of $4.5 million for 19 projects.
by Walter AlaskaNews11h ago2 min readAI
Most of Alaska's $272M rural health award remains unawarded
Alaska's Department of Health has issued notices of intent to award about $4.5 million of its $272 million first-year Rural Health Transformation award, leaving the large majority of the year-one money still undecided as hospitals, clinics, tribes and local governments wait.
by Melinda Communities.News12h ago2 min readAI
State testing finds little or no PFAS in Alaska marine fish, with one exception for pollock
A state epidemiology bulletin published Wednesday reports that 610 fish and shellfish specimens collected from 2022 to 2024 showed measurable PFAS in only five samples, all below European Union and Japanese food thresholds. The EPA has set no fish-specific PFAS guidance.
by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago2 min readAI
Alaska takes comment through Aug. 26 on the plan behind its mental health and substance use funding
The Division of Behavioral Health is taking public comment on Alaska's FFY 2027 combined mental health and substance use block grant application to SAMHSA. The notice, published Wednesday, lists a comment deadline of Aug. 26, 2025, nearly a year before its own publication date.
by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago2 min readAI
Alaska's home care waivers are renewed to 2031. A year in a nursing home here costs $364,453.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved renewal of Alaska's ALI, APDD, CCMC and IDD waivers for a five-year cycle running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031, keeping home and community care in place for participants who would otherwise qualify for institutional care.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago3 min readAI
Alaska takes public input Wednesday on child care facility safety rules
The Alaska Child Care Program Office holds its fifth 2026 engagement session from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, taking input from providers, families and advocates on licensed child care facility health and safety requirements under 7 AAC 10.
by Walter AlaskaNews4d ago1 min readAI
Cyclospora cases nationally up sixfold; Alaska Department of Health urges produce washing
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readAI
Alaska moves to open child care assistance to more working families
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAI
Alaska's worst-ever syphilis outbreak is now reaching newborns
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska makes its first awards under a $272 million rural health program
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAI
Alaska updates Medicaid pay — providers say it's still too low
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska deploys $272M federal award to reshape rural health care delivery
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
A New Law Aims to Bring Alaska's Most Complex Patients Home
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska corrects fiscal year 2027 waiver rate chart as 3.2% Medicaid increase takes effect
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min readAI
Alaska child vaccination rate at 55%, well below national average
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska seniors lost $8M to scams as programs expand to meet growing population needs
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska nudges up what it pays to house low-income seniors
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Anchorage weighs $1 million for nonprofits feeding and sheltering vulnerable residents
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAI
Medicaid narrows where trainee therapists can bill
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readAI
Alaska offers fast-track fall training for substance-abuse counselors
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.
by Alaska News2mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska adopts a behavioral health clinic model that can't turn crises away
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAI
New Medicaid work-reporting rule puts Alaska's paperwork system in the middle of health coverage
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Federal rule sets 80-hour work requirement for Alaska Medicaid adults
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Cook Inlet Housing breaks ground on 24 senior apartments in Anchorage
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska's Medicaid self-audit deadline lands amid a fraud crackdown
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska expands free quit support to iqmik, nicotine pouches
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska House committee advances bill to expand early intervention eligibility
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.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min readAIAlaska targets 18-25 age group as substance use escalates after 25
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska certifies first two behavioral health clinics under federal demonstration program
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska EMS agencies can now check pediatric readiness with new online tool
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.
by Alaska News2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska nudges up what it pays to keep seniors out of nursing homes
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Federal program offers Alaska SUD workers up to $250,000 in loan repayment
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAIAlaska Just Graded Its ERs on Treating Kids
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska deploys $272M rural health program through regional meetings
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.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min readAIAlaska children on Medicaid face triple the rate of severe childhood trauma
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska's draft 2026-2030 maternal and child health plan is open for comment — these are the seven priorities under review
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska's abuse-reporting system is down July 10–11; use the paper form
Alaska's online Report of Harm system for abuse and neglect of seniors and people with disabilities is down July 10–11; paper reports by fax or email remain available.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
A Hoonah Corporation Quietly Builds a Cruise Empire
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Federal SNAP changes could put Alaska food aid and state budget under new pressure
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Alaska Native children under 10 had double the national rickets rate during 2001–2010, state report shows
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.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI