Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 220: 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.

SB 220 establishes a certification program for community health workers (CHWs) in Alaska, requiring the Department of Health to create regulations for qualifications, training, scope of practice, and renewal. It adds certified CHW services as a covered medical assistance benefit under the state's Medicaid program, making these services eligible for state-funded coverage. The bill defines CHWs as nonmedical professionals who connect individuals to health services and improve care coordination, while clarifying that certification is required for Medicaid coverage (though services can be provided without it). Reciprocity agreements with other states' certification programs are permitted under the law. The bill takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds certified CHW services as Medicaid-covered benefit, expanding access to care coordination under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing

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in committee · Alaska · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 279: An Act relating to the power of the commissioner of health to require certain immunizations; relating to immunizations required to participate in youth athletics; relating to immunizations required by the University of Alaska; relating to the provision of vaccine information to the parents of minor patients; and providing for an effective date.

HB 279 requires that schools, youth sports associations, and the University of Alaska mandate only vaccines with full U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for participation. It also mandates that healthcare providers give parents or guardians a copy of the CDC's vaccine risks/benefits statement or FDA emergency use fact sheet before administering vaccines to minors. The bill directly affects school districts, athletic associations, the University of Alaska, healthcare providers, and parents of children under 18. Key provisions standardize vaccine requirements to FDA-approved options and ensure parents receive clear vaccine information. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires FDA-approved vaccines and mandates CDC/FDA vaccine info disclosure for minors, supporting informed consent and public health safety protocols.85% confidence

Track

signed · Alaska · House Jul 3, 2026

HB 265: 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 265 allocates $22.2 million to Alaska Psychiatric Institute and $10.2 million to behavioral health services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It funds operating and capital expenses for state mental health programs across multiple departments, including community residential centers, juvenile justice mental health care, and family services. The bill directs specific funding amounts to existing services like substance abuse treatment, foster care mental health support, and psychiatric facility operations. This is a budget allocation bill, providing funding for current state mental health programs without creating new policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $22.2M and $10.2M to mental health services, increasing state funding for public health programs under budget/appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $22.2M to Alaska Psychiatric Institute and $10.2M for behavioral health services, directly funding mental health programs and expanding access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · Alaska · House Jul 3, 2026

HB 244: An Act relating to certified nurse aide training; and providing for an effective date.

HB 244 sets new standards for certified nurse aide training programs in Alaska, requiring them to ensure safe, competent care and specific skills. The bill directly affects training programs, which must now teach aides to communicate effectively with clients, support client independence, address cognitive impairments (including dementia), and monitor client well-being. Key provisions mandate training in areas like dementia care, emotional sensitivity, problem-solving, and respecting client dignity, with "activities of daily living" defined as eating, dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates standardized nurse aide training in dementia care, communication, and client dignity to ensure safe, competent care, directly enhancing healthcare quality and safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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

Track

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

Track

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 · 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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