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
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 AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
State asks Kenai to join disease early-warning network
The Alaska Department of Health wants Kenai to sign a memorandum of agreement to sample sewage at the city's wastewater treatment plant for measles, bird flu, COVID, and other pathogens. The state would cover all equipment and lab costs.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska was selected for the federal CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration
Alaska was selected for the federal CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration, opening two SAMHSA grants for behavioral health providers across the state
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Alaska rural health asks for $2.5B; federal program has $272M to give in this cycle
Alaska rural health organizations submitted $2.5 billion in requests through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program — $272 million available
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
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 AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Wasilla resource fair connects Mat-Su families with disability services
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.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
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 AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Alaska warns Medicare users about brace and food scams
The Alaska Senior Medicare Patrol is launching Medicare Fraud Prevention Week starting June 5. The office warns beneficiaries about scammers offering free back braces, knee braces, and food in exchange for Medicare numbers.
by Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska warns rural providers: Moderna COVID vaccines arriving with short expiration dates
The Alaska Department of Health is warning rural providers that Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are arriving with shorter-than-ideal expiration dates, creating logistical challenges especially for remote communities that must now order smaller quantities more frequently to minimize waste before McKesson's 30-day shipping cutoff.
by Alaska News3mo ago1 min read
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 News3mo ago1 min read
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 AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Alaska 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 AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
State health bulletin finds nearly one in four critical heart defects in Alaska infants diagnosed late
Alaska Department of Health bulletin on critical congenital heart defect detection rates and timing, 2007–2018
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
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 AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Alaska reports rise in newborn heart valve defect
Alaska Department of Health reports statistically significant increase in pulmonary valve atresia and stenosis among newborns from 2018-2022, with prevalence exceeding national estimates.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min readAlaska 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 AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
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 AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Alaska reports increase in heart valve defect, decrease in abdominal wall defect
Alaska Department of Health releases 2018–2022 birth defects surveillance data showing statistically significant changes in two conditions
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
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 AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
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 AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Alaska 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 AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Alaska Launches Mobile Benefits App in State With Spotty Rural Internet
Alaska launched a mobile-friendly application for public assistance programs, but the digital-first approach raises access questions in rural communities with limited broadband.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
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 News4mo ago2 min read
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 AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min readAlaska 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 AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min readAlaska 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 News4mo ago2 min readAlaska opens second round of rural health webinars for $272M program
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.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago3 min readKenai 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 News4mo ago1 min readSenate 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 Newsadded 5mo ago5 min read
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 Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAlaska 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 5mo ago2 min readHouse 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 Newsadded 5mo ago2 min read