Healthcare in Alaska | MyRepTracker

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 347: An Act relating to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants; relating to the practice of physical therapy; and relating to the practice of occupational therapy.

HB 347 clarifies and expands the scope of practice for occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Alaska. It allows OTs to provide services directly to patients without requiring a referral from another healthcare provider and defines specific services OTs may offer, including pain management, rehabilitation for daily activities, adaptive equipment training, and preventive care. The bill directly affects OTs, OTAs, and patients seeking these services by enabling more direct access to care. Key provisions (Section 08.84.095) detail how OTs can evaluate, treat, and support patients’ functional abilities across daily living, work, and community participation. The bill does not alter licensing or fees but streamlines service delivery within existing regulatory frameworks.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 294: An Act relating to health care insurance deductibles.

HB 294 limits health care insurance deductibles for plans sold in Alaska. It prohibits insurers from requiring annual deductibles above $1,700 for individual plans or $3,400 for family plans. The bill directly affects health insurance providers and consumers by setting these maximums for covered policies. This is a new restriction on insurer pricing practices, not a funding or benefit change.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Alaska · House May 6, 2026

HB 292: An Act relating to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and providing for an effective date.

HB 292 requires Alaska health insurers to cover diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for specific treatments including antimicrobials, behavioral therapies, immune-related medicines, plasma exchange, and IVIG therapy. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on prior treatment, using inconsistent guidelines for immune therapies, requiring "trial" therapies before approving immune treatments, or restricting care based on age or out-of-state availability. This directly affects families with children diagnosed with PANDAS/PANS and insurers offering health plans in Alaska, ensuring equitable coverage without discriminatory practices.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 241: An Act relating to a psychology interjurisdictional compact; and relating to the practice of psychology.

HB 241 adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PIC) into Alaska law, allowing psychologists licensed in other participating states to practice in Alaska more easily. It amends licensing rules (AS 08.86.070, AS 08.86.150) to establish "license by credentials" for out-of-state psychologists who meet Alaska's standards, such as holding a doctoral degree in psychology and demonstrating comparable qualifications. This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to practice across state lines without retaking exams or completing full Alaska licensure. The bill streamlines cross-state practice while maintaining Alaska's licensing requirements for safety and competency.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 228: An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to public education; and relating to opioid abuse awareness and prevention.

SB 228 requires Alaska public schools to implement an opioid awareness curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates at least 60 minutes of annual instruction covering fentanyl dangers, candy-like opioid pills targeting children, safe prescription use, and early warning signs of addiction. Schools must teach this curriculum during the last week of October each year. The Department of Education must develop the curriculum with input from health officials and families impacted by opioid overdoses.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Substance Abuse

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 270: An Act relating to the prescription of opioid overdose drugs.

HB 270 requires healthcare providers (including pharmacists, doctors, and advanced practice nurses) to offer a prescription for an opioid overdose drug (like naloxone) when prescribing opioids under specific conditions. It applies directly to patients receiving opioid prescriptions that exceed a three-day supply, exceed 50 milligrams morphine equivalent daily, involve concurrent benzodiazepines, or involve a history of overdose or substance use disorder. The bill mandates this offer as a standard step in prescribing, aiming to increase access to life-saving overdose reversal medication. It does not require patients to accept the offer but ensures providers proactively discuss it during high-risk opioid prescriptions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 215: An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date.

SB 215 is a funding bill that allocates $22.2 million from the general fund to support Alaska’s mental health programs for fiscal year 2026-2027. It directly affects state mental health services, including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute ($22.2M), community residential centers ($6.97M), and juvenile justice health care ($100,000). The bill provides specific funding for operating expenses, facility maintenance, and services like behavioral health care and foster care support. It does not create new policies but ensures financial resources for existing mental health programs across multiple state departments. The bill requires the Governor’s approval and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

passed both · Alaska · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 211: An Act extending the termination date of the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; relating to reports on the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners and the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; and providing for an effective date.

SB 211 extends the expiration dates for five Alaska professional licensing boards (Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapy, Psychologists, Real Estate, and Social Work) from 2026 to dates ranging through 2034. The bill ensures these boards can continue operating without needing new legislative approval, maintaining regulatory oversight for licensed professionals. It takes effect retroactively to July 1, 2026, meaning the extensions apply as if they had been in place since that date. This is a routine procedural update to prevent regulatory gaps in licensing oversight.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 283: An Act making supplemental appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date.

HB 283 allocates $36.4 million from Alaska's constitutional budget reserve fund to support Medicaid services under the Department of Health for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It also allocates $70.15 million for transportation projects, including highway maintenance, aviation programs, and federal matching funds, through the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The bill uses existing state reserve funds to supplement current agency budgets without new tax revenue. This is a routine budget adjustment for ongoing state operations, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Medicaid Airports Roads & Highways

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 272: An Act relating to insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices; relating to medical assistance for prosthetic and orthotic devices; and providing for an effective date.

HB 272 requires Alaska health insurers to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices at a level matching federal standards (42 U.S.C. 1395k-1395m). It directly affects people needing these devices and insurers offering health plans in Alaska’s group or individual markets. Key provisions mandate coverage for all medically necessary devices (including materials, instruction, and repairs/replacements without lifetime restrictions), require two in-network providers, and prohibit special financial requirements for prosthetic/orthotic coverage. Insurers must cover repairs if costs exceed 60% of replacement and provide clear denial explanations. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to devices essential for daily living and physical activities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance

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