Healthcare, public health, and wellness
House Bill 195 would expand pharmacist prescribing authority but faces intense scrutiny over whether collaborative practice agreements could enable abortion medication access.
Alaska's health department is seeking organizations to operate state-funded residential facilities for seniors who need supportive housing.
The Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education is hosting a virtual public meeting on April 9 to discuss advocacy workshops and planning activities.
Alaska's occupational therapy statute restricts therapists to helping patients cope with disabilities rather than actively working to improve function, prompting legislative action to align with national standards.
The Alaska Senate Resources Committee set aside a bill restricting sales of home-canned foods in reduced oxygen packaging after lawmakers struggled with complex food safety definitions and enforcement questions.
The Alaska House of Representatives voted to allocate $2 million from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease revenues to reestablish a state trooper post in Talkeetna, addressing public safety concerns along the Parks Highway corridor.
The Senate Resources Committee discussed legislation that would restrict packaging methods for commercially sold homemade foods, targeting vacuum-sealed and heat-processed containers.
Life Center Northwest presented data showing 163 Alaskans currently await organ transplants, with most needing kidneys and having to travel to Washington for procedures.
Committee heard testimony on legislation to lower developmental delay thresholds from 50% to 25% for early childhood services, potentially serving more children and saving millions in future special education costs.
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 193, which would allow licensed naturopathic doctors to prescribe certain medications under physician supervision.
The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee received extensive testimony on Senate Bill 124, which would allow Alaska to join the multi-state nursing licensure compact amid the state's severe nursing shortage.
The Citizens Review Panel presented recommendations to standardize mandatory reporting training and improve early intervention services for at-risk families.
Alaska Department of Health is holding a public meeting on April 22 to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program with community input.
Alaska's Medical Services Review Committee is holding four public meetings to gather input on workers' compensation medical fee schedules for 2027.
Alaska's suicide prevention council is holding a public Zoom meeting on May 1 with opportunity for community input.
Alaska is seeking contractors to provide substance abuse treatment services at two correctional facilities in Wasilla, with proposals due May 1.
Alaska corrections department is soliciting bids for substance abuse treatment services at two Palmer correctional facilities, with proposals due May 1.