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Alaska budget fight leaves $40M in senior, disability care hanging
A legislative conference committee must reconcile more than $40 million in disputed funding for senior and disability services before the Alaska Legislature adjourns on May 20, with the House and Senate deeply divided on nearly every line item.
by Alaska News1d ago4 min readAnchorage, Alaska1 viewAI
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 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
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
House panel fast-tracks insurance coverage for PANDAS treatment
The House Labor and Commerce Committee advanced House Bill 292 requiring insurance coverage for pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders after parents testified about children experiencing severe symptoms and treatment delays.
by Alaska News3w ago2 min readHouse7 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
19-year-old homeschool graduate appointed to State Medical Board
Hannah Milkey, who graduated high school in 2025 and has no medical training, was appointed to Alaska's State Medical Board one week before her confirmation hearing, prompting questions from legislators about her ability to evaluate physician disciplinary cases.
by Alaska News1w ago3 min readJuneau2 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
House Finance hears respiratory therapist licensing bill, Alaska's last-state gap
The House Finance Committee heard testimony on HB 362, which would establish Alaska's first professional licensing program for respiratory therapists, ending the state's status as the only one without such oversight.
by Alaska News2w ago4 min readHouse Finance2 viewsAI
Alaska House panel advances dental insurance transparency bill
The House Health and Social Services Committee heard House Bill 273, which would require dental insurers to publicly report how much premium money goes to patient care versus administrative costs and profits, and held the bill for future consideration.
by Alaska News2w ago4 min readHouse2 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
Recent High School Graduate Appointed to Alaska State Medical Board
The Alaska House Health and Social Services Committee held a confirmation hearing Tuesday for Hannah Milkey, a 19-year-old who graduated high school in 2025 and was appointed to the State Medical Board one week earlier.
by Alaska News1w ago2 min readJuneau, Alaska1 viewAI
Alaska Senate Panel Weighs Naturopathic Doctors' Prescription Authority
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 193, which would allow licensed naturopathic doctors to prescribe certain medications under physician supervision.
by Alaska News1mo ago2 min readSenate Finance5 viewsAI
House panel hears confirmation for physician assistant to State Medical Board
The House Health and Social Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Norman Walker, a physician assistant appointed to the State Medical Board, and received a presentation from UAA College of Health on workforce programs.
by Alaska News2w ago4 min readHouse2 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
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
House committee advances insurance coverage for PANDAS/PANS treatment
The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on HB 292, which would require insurance companies to cover treatments for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders, including expensive IVIG therapy that currently costs families tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.
by Alaska News2w ago5 min readAlaska1 viewAI
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 contractor to update Alaska's 10-year health plan
Alaska's Department of Health is seeking a contractor to help revise the state's 10-year health improvement plan by an April 30 deadline.
by Alaska News4w ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
State seeks proposals for family caregiver support services
The Alaska Department of Health is seeking proposals from organizations to provide family caregiver support services statewide for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min readAlaska2 viewsAI
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
Mental Health Trust to hold planning meeting April 22 in Anchorage
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority will hold a planning committee meeting April 22 in Anchorage with remote participation available.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min read3745 Community Park Loop Ste 120 Anchorage, Alaska 995081 viewAI
State seeks input on peer support specialist certification program
The Alaska Department of Health is requesting information from organizations that could administer a peer support specialist certification program, with responses due April 21.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min readAlaska1 viewAI
State seeks public input on rural health program at April 22 meeting
Alaska Department of Health is holding a public meeting on April 22 to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program with community input.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min readAlaska1 viewAI
Alaska Senate committee hears nurse staffing bill amid safety concerns
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony Friday on legislation that would establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in Alaska hospitals, with nurses describing unsafe workloads and advocates citing Oregon's successful implementation.
by Alaska News9h ago4 min readJuneau, AlaskaAI
Alaska launches new online system to report elder abuse, harm
Alaska's Division of Senior and Disabilities Services has launched a new federally compliant online reporting system for vulnerable adult harm, critical incidents, and assisted living complaints, with the old system redirecting until May 22, 2026.
by Alaska News1d ago3 min readAnchorage, AlaskaAI
Alaska 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 News3d ago3 min readAlaskaAI
State Medical Board to hold quarterly meeting May 15
The Alaska State Medical Board will hold a public quarterly meeting via teleconference on May 15, 2026.
by Alaska News1mo ago1 min readAlaskaAI
