Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 362: An Act relating to the practice of respiratory care; relating to the duties of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; relating to telehealth provided by respiratory care practitioners; relating to medical malpractice liability of respiratory care practitioners; relating to immunity from civil liability for a respiratory care practitioner providing free health care services; relating to respiratory care practitioners providing documentation and treatment plans for public school students with asthma or anaphylaxis; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against respiratory care practitioners; and providing for an effective date.

HB 362 establishes licensing requirements for respiratory care practitioners in Alaska, prohibiting unlicensed practice or use of titles like "R.C.P." It expands their scope to include telehealth services and requires them to provide asthma/anaphylaxis treatment plans for public school students. The bill also clarifies their medical malpractice liability, grants immunity for free care provided in emergencies, and prohibits group health insurers from unfairly discriminating against these practitioners. These changes apply directly to respiratory care professionals, schools, insurers, and healthcare providers in Alaska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands respiratory care scope to telehealth, requires school asthma plans, prohibits insurer discrimination, improving access and coverage for patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth

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in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 330: An Act relating to access to electronic health records.

HB 330 requires health care providers in Alaska to give patients direct access to their electronic health records. The bill ensures patients can inspect and copy their health records, and if records are maintained electronically, providers must make them accessible to the patient or any legally authorized individual (such as a designated family member). This directly affects patients seeking their own health information and health care providers who manage electronic records. The key mechanism clarifies that electronic access must be provided in a standard, usable format without additional barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to give patients direct access to electronic health records, improving patient access to medical information per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates patient access to electronic health records, strengthening data privacy protections by enabling individuals to inspect and copy their digital health data per electronic record requirements.92% confidence

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in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 256: An Act relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; and providing for an effective date.

SB 256 would allow Alaska to join an interstate agreement (the EMS Licensure Compact) that recognizes emergency medical services (EMS) licenses across state lines. This means EMTs, paramedics, and other licensed EMS personnel could work in participating states without needing a new license, streamlining their ability to provide care during emergencies or routine operations. The compact requires states to share information about license status and any disciplinary actions to ensure patient safety and maintain consistent standards. By joining this agreement, Alaska would align with other states to make EMS workforce mobility easier while protecting public health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines EMS provider mobility across states, improving emergency care access without new licensing barriers, directly enhancing healthcare service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health Tags Licensing

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signed · Alaska · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 272: An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date.

SB 272 requires Alaska's Department of Health to establish a statewide electronic health information exchange system that connects hospitals, clinics, and other providers to share patient records securely. It mandates appointing a private or nonprofit entity (with a stakeholder advisory board including hospitals, insurers, tribal health groups, and patients) to manage the system's development, training, privacy compliance, and annual budgeting. Key provisions include ensuring system interoperability with federal standards, requiring cost and privacy safeguards, and creating a plan to encourage long-term participation by healthcare providers. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, tribal health organizations, and patients through standardized electronic record sharing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates secure health data exchange system to improve provider coordination and patient access, directly advancing healthcare infrastructure and interoperability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure health data exchange system with privacy compliance, aligning with privacy and tech subjects in bill's classification95% confidence

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SJR 27: Expressing commitment to the rural health transformation program and articulating priorities for the program; acknowledging the critical health care challenges facing rural areas of the state; urging action by the Governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the rural health transformation program; and expressing legislative intent to enact comprehensive legislation relating to the rural health transformation program and the state's medical care and critical health care needs.

SJR 27 is a legislative resolution expressing Alaska's commitment to the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which awarded the state $272 million for health system improvements. It outlines six priority areas for using these funds: expanding rural health access, strengthening maternal care, building telehealth infrastructure, supporting health workforce development, modernizing technology, and promoting community wellness. The resolution urges the Governor and Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for continued federal support and establishes a December 2027 deadline for the state to pass enabling legislation to maintain full funding. It directly affects rural Alaskans and Alaska Native communities facing health access challenges, particularly in remote areas. The resolution itself does not change policy but sets priorities for future legislation to implement the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill commits to utilizing $272M federal funds for rural health priorities including expanded access, maternal care, telehealth, and workforce development, explicitly advancing healthcare infrastructure and services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly lists 'modernizing technology' as a priority for $272M health funds, indicating support for tech infrastructure upgrades in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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in committee · Alaska · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 344: An Act establishing the opioid litigation settlement fund.

HB 344 establishes a separate fund in the Alaska state treasury to hold settlement money received from opioid manufacturers or distributors. The Department of Revenue can use these funds for opioid remediation efforts (like treatment and prevention programs) and to cover fund management costs, with money in the fund not expiring. The bill clarifies this is not a "dedicated fund" but a mechanism for managing settlement proceeds, directly affecting how the state handles opioid-related litigation funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates opioid settlement funds to public health programs, directly funding essential services within state budget framework.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates opioid settlement funds specifically for treatment/prevention healthcare programs under remediation efforts, directly funding public health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed both · Alaska · House Jun 10, 2026

HJR 32: Expressing commitment to the rural health transformation program; acknowledging the critical health care challenges facing rural areas of the state; and urging action by the Governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the rural health transformation program.

HJR 32 is a non-binding resolution expressing Alaska's commitment to the federal rural health transformation program, which awarded the state $272 million in 2025 to improve rural healthcare access. It outlines six key priorities for program implementation: expanding telehealth infrastructure, strengthening maternal and child health services, increasing healthcare access in remote communities, developing the healthcare workforce, modernizing technology, and ensuring fiscal sustainability. The resolution urges the Governor and Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for continued federal support and signals the legislature's intent to pass enabling legislation by December 2027 to maintain full funding. It does not create new laws but establishes a framework for future policy decisions to address Alaska's unique rural healthcare challenges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expresses commitment to rural health program funding ($272M), outlines priorities to expand telehealth, maternal care, and access, directly advancing healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly lists 'modernizing technology' as a key priority to improve rural healthcare access, directly advancing tech infrastructure for health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Telehealth

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in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 372: An Act relating to financial relationships between referring health care providers and providers of health care services.

HB 372 requires licensed health care providers who refer patients for 10 specific services (including lab work, therapy, medical equipment, and hospital care) to report financial ties to the Alaska Health Commissioner by September 1, 2026. Service providers must also report billing amounts for referrals linked to financial relationships. The law mandates reporting on both direct financial ties and family connections, while protecting patient and provider confidentiality. This transparency measure aims to track referral patterns and billing for these covered services in Alaska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparency in provider referrals to prevent financial conflicts of interest, protecting patient rights and ethical healthcare delivery.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 266: An Act relating to reimbursement for non-network health insurance claims.

SB 266 requires Alaska health insurers to reimburse non-network healthcare providers (like doctors or hospitals not in an insurer's preferred network) for services at a rate of at least 75% of the median rate paid to in-network providers for the same service. This applies to all health care services and supplies provided by non-network providers. The reimbursement rate is calculated using the median of the insurer's own network rates in Alaska at the time the service is delivered. The bill sets a clear minimum standard to ensure non-network providers receive fair compensation without dictating specific dollar amounts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 75% reimbursement for non-network providers, improving access to out-of-network care and preventing insurer underpayment that limits patient choice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 248: An Act relating to the practice of genetic counseling; relating to the licensure of genetic counselors; establishing the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council; relating to the duties of the State Medical Board; relating to telehealth by licensed genetic counselors; relating to medical malpractice liability of licensed genetic counselors; relating to immunity from civil liability for a licensed genetic counselor providing free health care services; and prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against genetic counselors.

SB 248 establishes a licensing requirement for genetic counselors in Alaska, meaning they must obtain a license to practice. The bill creates a Genetic Counseling Advisory Council to guide licensing standards, sets rules for telehealth services provided by licensed counselors, and clarifies medical malpractice liability. It also provides immunity from civil claims when counselors offer free health care services and prohibits group health insurance plans from discriminating against genetic counselors. This legislation directly affects genetic counselors, the State Medical Board (which will oversee licensing), and health insurers in Alaska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing for genetic counselors, ensures qualified care, expands telehealth access, prohibits insurance discrimination, and clarifies malpractice protections to improve healthcare access and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Telehealth

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