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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Alaska pauses behavioral health grant overhaul after provider pushback
Alaska's Division of Behavioral Health paused planned fiscal year 2027 grant program changes and will extend existing CBHTR Outpatient and Residential programs for two more years after receiving provider feedback about system readiness.
by Alaska News1d ago2 min readAlaska1 viewAI
Alaska limits disability employment training to 50 care coordinators
Alaska is limiting a free online course on employment services for people with disabilities to the first 50 care coordinators who register, raising questions about workforce training capacity statewide.
by Alaska News1d ago2 min readAlaska1 viewAI
Alaska Launches New Online Form for Vulnerable Adult Abuse Reports
Alaska's Division of Senior and Disabilities Services launched a new federally compliant online form consolidating all reports of harm to vulnerable adults and critical incidents into one system.
by Alaska News3d ago2 min readAlaska3 viewsAI
Anchorage treatment facility debate exposes gaps in public process
The Housing and Homelessness Action Commission meeting became a forum for community concerns about a proposed True North Recovery treatment facility in Fairview, highlighting tensions between municipal funding requirements and neighborhood engagement.
by Alaska News4d ago4 min readAnchorage4 viewsAI
True North Recovery proposes Fairview behavioral health center
The Anchorage Assembly Public Health and Safety Committee heard a presentation from True North Recovery on a proposed peer-led behavioral health navigation center in Fairview, sparking debate over location and community impact.
by Alaska News1w ago5 min readAnchorage7 viewsAI
State seeks proposals for new early intervention funding formula
Alaska's Department of Health is seeking vendor proposals to develop a new funding formula for distributing early intervention grants to regional programs serving infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
by Alaska News5d ago1 min readAlaska3 viewsAI
State seeks contractors for DUI intervention in three Alaska regions
Alaska's Department of Health is soliciting proposals for Alcohol Safety Action Program contractors in Interior, Kenai, and Ketchikan regions, with a June 3 deadline.
by Alaska News1w ago1 min readAlaska4 viewsAI
Alaska bill would penalize state for late payments to contractors
The Alaska Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on HB 133, which would impose 10.5% interest penalties when the state fails to pay nonprofits, municipalities, and tribal organizations within 30 days.
by Alaska News1w ago4 min readState Capitol, Juneau4 viewsAI
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 News1mo ago2 min readHouse18 viewsAI
State seeks proposals for mental health assistive technology program
The Alaska Department of Health is accepting proposals until June 5 for organizations to provide mental health assistive technology services statewide from 2027 through 2029.
by Alaska News1w ago1 min readAlaska3 viewsAI
Alaska expands background checks to all medical professionals
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted changes requiring fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, and physician assistants seeking Alaska licenses, not just those applying through interstate compacts.
by Alaska News2w ago3 min readJuneau7 viewsAI
Senate panel adopts changes to health care compact bill
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted a committee substitute for SB 281 that removes PA scope language, adds background check requirements, and revises the rural health advisory council structure.
by Alaska News2w ago3 min readJuneau7 viewsAI
Kenai health office closed May 7 due to plumbing problems
The Alaska Department of Health office in Kenai will close May 7 due to plumbing issues, with remote workers continuing duties and essential staff reporting as usual.
by Alaska News1w ago1 min read630 Barnacle Way #A, Kenai, AK 996112 viewsAI
Alaska Rural Health Program Flooded with 'Surprising' Number of Quality Ideas
The state's Rural Health Transformation Program has received an unexpectedly high volume of quality project proposals, creating intense competition for limited funding and prompting officials to explore partnerships with philanthropic groups.
by Alaska News3w ago3 min readAlaska, USA9 viewsAI
House Finance weighs bill to standardize state payment timelines
Lawmakers debate legislation requiring the state to pay non-profits, municipalities, and tribal organizations within 30 days, matching standards for private contractors.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readJuneau, Alaska13 viewsAI
State seeks public comment on new Medicaid home care services by June 22
The Alaska Department of Health is proposing new Medicaid regulations to certify specialized home care providers for people with disabilities, with public comments due June 22.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min readAlaska3 viewsAI
State responds to public comments on Medicaid behavioral health rates
Alaska Department of Health has published responses to public comments on proposed Medicaid payment rate changes for behavioral health services.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min readAlaska3 viewsAI
Senate Education Committee Advances Opioid Awareness Bill, Hears Tribal School Compact Proposal
The committee unanimously moved Senate Bill 228, requiring opioid education in schools, and heard the first presentation on Senate Bill 66, which would allow tribes to operate public schools under state-tribal compacts.
by Alaska News3w ago5 min readdowntown Juneau4 viewsAI
Petersburg Medical Center wins state approval for new MRI services
The state has approved Petersburg Medical Center's application to add MRI services in a new medical office building, with a 30-day window for affected residents to request an administrative hearing.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min readPetersburg Borough, Southeast Alaska2 viewsAI
House passes bill requiring transparency at psychiatric hospitals for minors
The Alaska House unanimously passed legislation requiring psychiatric hospitals to allow minors confidential communication with parents, conduct unannounced inspections, and notify families when seclusion or restraint is used.
by Alaska News2w ago4 min readJuneau2 viewsAI
House Education Committee advances CPR training bill with rural flexibility
The House Education Committee approved Senate Bill 20, which requires CPR instruction in Alaska public schools, after adopting three amendments to provide flexibility for rural and under-resourced districts.
by Alaska News2w ago3 min readJuneau, Alaska3 viewsAI
State seeks vendors for Medicaid time-tracking system
The Alaska Department of Health is asking vendors to describe their ability to manage a Medicaid time-tracking system before deciding whether to issue a contract.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
State seeks contractor to run Alaska Tobacco Quit Line
The Alaska Department of Health is soliciting proposals to operate the statewide tobacco quit line that helps residents stop using tobacco and nicotine products.
by Alaska News1w ago1 min readAlaska1 viewAI
Alaska seeks nonprofit partners to run senior residential programs
Alaska's health department is seeking organizations to operate state-funded residential facilities for seniors who need supportive housing.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min readAlaska5 viewsAI
Alaska Advances Mental Health Education Guidelines Without Mandates
The House Finance Committee moved Senate Bill 41 forward, directing development of mental health education guidelines for K-12 schools while leaving implementation to local districts.
by Alaska News3w ago4 min readHouse Finance2 viewsAI
House Finance Advances Mental Health Education Guidelines for Schools
The House Finance Committee moved Senate Bill 41 out of committee, which directs development of mental health education guidelines for Alaska's K-12 schools.
by Alaska News3w ago3 min readHouse Finance2 viewsAI
Senate panel approves $4.2 billion health budget with Medicaid rate hikes
The Senate Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Health approved a $4.2 billion fiscal year 2027 budget that includes $377 million in Medicaid provider rate increases and funding for food banks and early learning programs.
by Alaska News3w ago2 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
House Education Committee advances CPR training bill with rural flexibility
The House Education Committee approved Senate Bill 20, which requires CPR instruction in Alaska public schools, after adopting three amendments to provide flexibility for rural and under-resourced districts.
by Alaska News3w ago3 min readJuneau, Alaska2 viewsAI
State seeks software vendor for opioid treatment data reporting
Alaska's Department of Health is soliciting bids for cloud software to automate opioid treatment data collection and federal reporting for State Opioid Response grantees.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
House Judiciary adopts committee substitute for infant safety device bill
The House Judiciary Committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 9, which would create a legal framework for infant safety devices at hospitals and fire stations while adding civil immunity protections for parents who use Alaska's Safe Surrender Law.
by Alaska News3w ago5 min readJuneau, AK, USA2 viewsAI
State seeks proposals for perinatal health support program
The Alaska Department of Health is seeking proposals from organizations to provide perinatal health support services statewide through a new program.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
Alaska Commission on Aging workgroup meets May 6 to plan summit
The Alaska Commission on Aging's Event Logistics Workgroup will meet May 6 via Zoom to plan a summit.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
State seeks contractor for chronic disease prevention programs
The Alaska Department of Health is seeking proposals by May 26 for a contractor to support its chronic disease prevention programs.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
State seeks proposals for youth behavioral health services statewide
The Alaska Department of Health is seeking proposals from organizations to provide youth behavioral health services through a statewide program.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
State seeks public comment on Medicaid nursing home screening changes
The Alaska Department of Health is seeking public comment through May 20 on proposed changes to Medicaid nursing facility screening processes.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
State seeks vision specialists for early intervention program statewide
The state Department of Health is seeking vision specialists to provide screening and intervention services for infants and toddlers in Alaska's early intervention program, with responses due June 1.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min readAlaska1 viewAI
Alaska Commission on Aging workgroup meets May 8 to discuss content
The Alaska Commission on Aging's Content Workgroup will meet May 8 via Zoom to discuss commission materials and recommendations.
by Alaska News2w ago1 min readAlaska1 viewAI
Alaska House committee reviews $759K in agency requests to fix payment delays
State agencies requested hundreds of thousands in penalty funds and new positions rather than fixing systemic payment delays affecting nonprofits and contractors.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readHouse Finance2 viewsAI
State raises shipping fees for birth, death certificates starting June 1
Alaska will raise shipping fees for certified vital records on June 1, 2026, due to higher postage costs and to encourage signature-required delivery for security.
by Alaska News3w ago1 min readAlaska1 viewAI
House panel considers expanding early intervention for Alaska children
The House Health and Social Services Committee heard testimony on legislation that would lower developmental delay thresholds for infant learning programs from 50% to 25%, potentially saving the state millions in future special education costs.
by Alaska News3w ago2 min readHouse1 viewAI