Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 287: An Act establishing a community health worker certification; relating to medical assistance coverage for certified community health worker services; and providing for an effective date.

HB 287 establishes a certification system for community health workers in Alaska, requiring the Department of Health to set standards for qualifications, training, scope of practice, and renewal. It adds certified community health worker services to optional state medical assistance coverage, making nonmedical health support services (like care coordination and patient advocacy) eligible for reimbursement under state health programs. The bill directly affects community health workers seeking certification, health care facilities (for experience verification), and medical assistance programs. Key provisions include experience-based certification waivers (960+ hours of service) and requirements for continuing education, with no medical care provided by certified workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds certified community health worker services to state medical assistance coverage, expanding reimbursement for care coordination and patient advocacy services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Alaska · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 285: An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date.

HB 285 requires Alaska's health department to create a statewide system for securely sharing electronic health records between healthcare providers. It designates a private or nonprofit organization to manage the system, mandating an advisory board with representation from hospitals, clinics, tribal health organizations, insurers, patients, and other key stakeholders. The designated entity must develop a program including provider training, strategies to encourage long-term system use, and strict privacy protections to comply with health data laws. This system aims to improve care coordination by making patient health information more accessible to authorized providers across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates statewide secure health record exchange system to improve provider coordination and patient access, directly advancing healthcare service infrastructure and data sharing standards.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure health data exchange system with privacy protections and stakeholder oversight, aligning with data privacy and technology policy goals.95% confidence

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in committee · Alaska · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 238: An Act relating to the statewide immunization program; and relating to medical assistance for immunizations for children and adolescents 18 years of age or younger.

HB 238 expands Alaska's medical assistance program to cover immunizations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children and adolescents under 18. It clarifies that "included vaccines" must be on a list maintained by the commissioner and align with AAP guidelines for this age group. The bill adds these immunizations explicitly to the list of optional services the Department of Health and Social Services can provide under medical assistance. This directly affects children and teens under 18 who rely on state-funded healthcare programs for vaccination coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands medical assistance coverage for AAP-recommended childhood immunizations, adding them as optional services under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

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signed · Alaska · House Jul 3, 2026

HB 173: An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact; relating to an executive administrator for the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board; relating to physical therapist licensure; relating to physical therapist assistant licensure; relating to audiologist licensure; relating to speech-language pathologist licensure; and relating to national criminal history record checks.

HB 173 implements Alaska’s participation in the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing licensed occupational therapists and assistants to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The bill amends Alaska law to adopt the compact, which requires states to recognize licenses from other participating states while maintaining local regulatory authority. This directly affects licensed occupational therapists, assistants, and patients seeking services in multiple states, particularly those living near state borders. The compact aims to improve public access to occupational therapy services by simplifying cross-state practice under existing licensure standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for occupational therapists, improving patient access to therapy services under healthcare provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 198: An Act relating to the teachers' defined contribution retirement plan; relating to the public employees' defined contribution retirement plan; and providing for an effective date.

SB 198 amends Alaska's retirement benefit rules for teachers and public employees, directly affecting current and future participants in the state's defined contribution retirement plans. It adjusts eligibility requirements (e.g., requiring 25 years of service for teachers to qualify for full retirement benefits instead of 30) and modifies retiree health insurance premiums based on years of service - reducing the discount for Medicare-eligible retirees with 25+ years of service from 15% to 10%. The bill also clarifies that employees who leave before meeting retirement requirements lose their contributions unless they return to work with a participating employer by age 65, at which point their account balance is restored with interest. These changes update existing benefit calculations without creating new programs.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareReduces retiree health insurance discount from 15% to 10% for Medicare-eligible with 25+ years, increasing costs and reducing benefit.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentReduces retiree health insurance discount from 15% to 10% and shortens service requirements, weakening post-employment benefits for public employees.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Retirement Benefits

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in committee · Alaska · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 22: An Act relating to general relief and burial assistance; and providing for an effective date.

HB 22 ensures Alaskans who lose federal medical or cash assistance solely because of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) can receive state-funded alternatives. It amends eligibility rules so individuals denied federal medical aid (under Social Security Act Title XIX) due to PFD income can get state medical assistance for up to four months at the same level they would have received federally. Similarly, those denied cash assistance because PFD counts as income under federal rules qualify for state cash aid for up to four months at the same federal benefit level. The bill directly affects PFD recipients who would otherwise be ineligible for state relief programs due to federal income calculations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides state medical assistance to Alaskans denied federal coverage due to PFD income, expanding healthcare access and preventing coverage gaps.95% confidence

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in committee · Alaska · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 9: An Act relating to education; relating to funding for charter schools; and relating to services for children with disabilities.

HB 9 requires Alaska school districts to allocate additional funding (from grants or other sources beyond state aid) to charter schools in proportion to the charter school's annual budget relative to the state aid the district receives. It also mandates that school districts establish written procedures allowing children with disabilities to access medically necessary services at school, provided they have a medical diagnosis and a prescription from a qualified health care provider. The bill directly affects school districts, charter schools, and students with disabilities in Alaska. These changes apply to contracts entered into or renewed after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires additional funding allocation for charter schools and mandates procedures for disability services access, advancing educational funding and accessibility.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school districts to establish procedures for children with disabilities to access medically necessary services, improving healthcare access within schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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signed · Alaska · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 55: 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.

HB 55 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific funding amounts for services including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, community residential centers, substance abuse treatment, and children's mental health programs under the Department of Health, Department of Family and Community Services, and Department of Corrections. The bill directly affects state mental health service providers by covering their operating and capital expenses through designated budget line items. The funding becomes effective July 1, 2025, supporting existing mental health care delivery across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for mental health services, directly increasing budgetary support for public health programs under APPROPRIATIONS and BUDGET subjects.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds mental health services under Department of Corrections, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates specific funding for mental health services including psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and children's programs under state health departments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 172: An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact.

SB 172 establishes Alaska’s participation in the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing licensed occupational therapists and assistants from participating states to practice in Alaska without obtaining a separate Alaska license. The bill amends existing licensure laws to clarify who may provide occupational therapy services (e.g., students, federal employees, or those with compact privileges) and requires the licensing board to implement the compact. Key provisions enable cross-state practice while preserving each state’s regulatory authority to protect public health and safety. This affects occupational therapy professionals seeking to work across state lines and patients accessing services in multiple jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice of occupational therapists, improving access to healthcare services under HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Alaska · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 147: An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy.

HB 147 allows licensed naturopaths in Alaska to prescribe prescription drugs under a temporary endorsement while supervised by a physician. To qualify, naturopaths must pass a pharmacology exam and meet department requirements, with supervision from a physician who has prescribed drugs for at least five years. After one year of supervised practice, the supervising physician can recommend full endorsement to the department, enabling the naturopath to prescribe without supervision. The bill also requires naturopaths to complete 60 hours of continuing education (including 20 hours on pharmacotherapy) every two years to renew their license.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands naturopath scope to prescribe drugs under supervision, increasing provider access to healthcare services and aligning with medical care integration.90% confidence

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