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Health

Health in Alaska is the state's public health system, healthcare delivery and the policies that shape them. It includes Medicaid and Medicare programs, tribal health corporations, rural and behavioral health care, and disease prevention across Alaska communities.

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Week of Apr 13

Alaska Rural Health Program Flooded with 'Surprising' Number of Quality Ideas

Alaska's rural health grant program has too many good ideas for its limited federal budget. The state is now hunting for private partners to fund the leftovers.

Alaska Newsby Alaska Newsadded 7mo ago3 min read

Week of Apr 6

House panel considers expanding early intervention for Alaska children

A House committee heard testimony on a bill to expand early intervention services for Alaska children by lowering eligibility thresholds, potentially saving the state up to $229,000 per child.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News7mo ago2 min read
House

Week of Mar 30

Alaska Senate Panel Weighs Naturopathic Doctors' Prescription Authority

Alaska Senate panel heard arguments for and against letting naturopathic doctors prescribe non-controlled drugs under physician supervision, with medical groups citing training gaps as a safety risk.

Alaska Newsby Alaska Newsadded 7mo ago2 min read
Senate Finance

About Health

Health in Alaska takes in the state's public health system, its hospitals and clinics, and the programs that pay for care, including Medicaid and Medicare. Tribal health organizations such as Southcentral Foundation deliver care alongside hospitals including the Alaska Native Medical Center, Central Peninsula Hospital and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

State epidemiologists track infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, influenza and COVID-19, and recommend vaccines to clinicians. Access to care in rural Alaska is a recurring question: villages without a permanent practice rely on visiting dental and primary care clinics, and federal rural health grants pay for facilities and equipment.

Behavioral health and substance use treatment form another strand, from opioid settlement grants to warnings about overdose. Health also connects to state and federal policy through Medicaid eligibility rules and the cost of health coverage for public workers.