Alaska House, Senate pass series of health-related bills
Shane Ersland | May 13, 2022 | Alaska
5 Things Alaska: Workforce shortage, Overdose deaths, Inflation & Medicare
Emily Boerger | Apr 21, 2022 | Alaska
Reps. Fields, Prax discuss DHSS split, other Alaska health care initiatives
Shane Ersland | Apr 18, 2022 | Alaska
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives have been working on several health care initiatives during the 2022 legislative session. In this conversation, Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole) and Rep. Zack Fields (D-Anchorage) discuss their health policy priorities with State of Reform. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an executive
Bill would create statewide dementia awareness program in Alaska
Shane Ersland | Apr 13, 2022 | Alaska
Members of Alaska’s Senate Health and Social Services Committee discussed a bill that aims to increase dementia awareness Tuesday. Sen. Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) is the lead sponsor on Senate Bill 216, which would create a statewide dementia awareness program in the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska health care employers cannot keep their organizations fully staffed
Shane Ersland | Apr 11, 2022 | Alaska
There are not enough health care workers to fill the demand for services in Alaska, and job vacancies in the industry are increasing. Representatives from three health care organizations discussed the state’s workforce shortage during a meeting Monday. Alaska State Hospitals and Nursing Home Association (ASHNHA) President and
Alaska lawmakers debate police use of ‘probable cause’ when transporting patients to mental health facilities
Shane Ersland | Apr 8, 2022 | Alaska
Alaska lawmakers continued to debate provisions of a mental health bill this week, as they aim to finish the bill’s amendment process. The Senate Health and Social Services Committee reviewed Senate Bill 124 for the eighth time Thursday. The committee first discussed the bill on April 27, 2021.
Alaska SWAT cop says drug treatment works, but challenges in getting those addicted to seek it remain
Shane Ersland | Apr 6, 2022 | Alaska
Health and law enforcement officials discussed the severity of Alaska’s drug problem, and how difficult it is to get those addicted to seek treatment, during a meeting Wednesday. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Health hosted Seth McMillan for an update on the
Lawmakers debate whether patients receiving telehealth services should require an initial in-person visit
Shane Ersland | Apr 1, 2022 | Alaska
Alaska lawmakers debated whether health care patients should be required to have an in-person visit with a provider prior to receiving telehealth services during a meeting on Thursday. Senate Health & Social Services Committee members discussed a proposed amendment to Senate Bill 175, which would address medical assistance