Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau in May 2015. (Juneau Empire file)

Measles found on Alaska cruise ship

A teenager visiting Alaska on a cruise ship last week had the measles, health officials say, prompting concern that passengers may spread the rarely-seen virus… Continue reading

 

Alaska opioid deaths increased by 77 percent in last decade, report says

The rate of Alaskans who died from opioid overdoses increased 77 percent over the last decade, with the highest overall rate of deaths reported in… Continue reading

 

State mistake triggers Medicaid repayments from providers

Speech pathologist Carma Shay will have to find a way to reimburse the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services an estimated $8,000 in Medicaid… Continue reading

 

New diabetes prevention program provides help with healthy lifestyle changes through peer support

New diabetes prevention program provides help with healthy lifestyle changes through peer support

A healthier lifestyle may just be a phone call away. A free diabetes prevention program connecting peninsula residents with lifestyle coaches via telephone is slated… Continue reading

New diabetes prevention program provides help with healthy lifestyle changes through peer support
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State officials warn Medicaid money will run out by month’s end

Alaska’s Medicaid health insurance program will run out of money as soon as the end of March, state officials are warning. Unless the Alaska Legislature… Continue reading

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Kenai resident Maggie Winston (center) and Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Executive Director Patrick Reinhart (right) testify in favor of Senate Bill 174 to the Senate Health and Social Services Committe in Juneau, Alaska. Senate Bill 174 would add language to state administrative code giving people with disabilities a more active role in determining their services and care. (Photo courtesy Maggie Winston)

Bill would add flexibility for disability services

Advocates are pushing for a bill that would give people with disabilities more say in state services. Senate Bill 174, sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche… Continue reading

Kenai resident Maggie Winston (center) and Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Executive Director Patrick Reinhart (right) testify in favor of Senate Bill 174 to the Senate Health and Social Services Committe in Juneau, Alaska. Senate Bill 174 would add language to state administrative code giving people with disabilities a more active role in determining their services and care. (Photo courtesy Maggie Winston)

State applies for Medicaid innovation project

The state is moving forward with a plan to reorganize Medicaid services for certain individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. The Alaska Department… Continue reading

Alison Gaines is the nurse manager at the Juneau Public Health Center. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mumps confirmed in Juneau for first time in 20 years

For the first time in 20 years, doctors have confirmed the presence of mumps in Juneau. As of Thursday, there has been one confirmed case… Continue reading

Alison Gaines is the nurse manager at the Juneau Public Health Center. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Electronic cigarette equipment lines the shelves at 5150 Vapes on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Smoking ban moving through committees, as divisive as ever

The debate over whether smoking should be banned in Alaska workplaces is as divisive as ever, despite several years of amendments and discussion. Senate Bill… Continue reading

Electronic cigarette equipment lines the shelves at 5150 Vapes on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Report says 6 percent of patients account for $148M in ER spending

About 6,600 people in the state accounted for $148 million in hospital emergency department spending in 2016, or about 6 percent of total patients that… Continue reading

Crash in Turnagain Pass sends 1 to hospital

Report says meth use up across state

Alongside the national conversation over the opioid epidemic, Alaskan health professionals are seeing a rise in methamphetamine use. A study released Tuesday by the Alaska… Continue reading

Crash in Turnagain Pass sends 1 to hospital

Flu tops murder for cause of death in Alaska in 2016

Flu and pneumonia killed more Alaskans in 2016 than assault or homicide, according to new statistics from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.… Continue reading

State looks to trim Medicaid costs by $30M

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is trying to cut $30 million out of its Medicaid program budget this year. Even without the… Continue reading

The Surgery Center of Kenai, which is planning to add a second operating room, stands on Friday, June 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska.

Surgery Center of Kenai plans new operating room

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct a reference to the 91 percent drop in Central Peninsula Hospital's net income, orginally referred to… Continue reading

The Surgery Center of Kenai, which is planning to add a second operating room, stands on Friday, June 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Tom Wilkinson, director of nurses, talks about surgical recovery rooms while Jake Savely, surgical tech listens during a tour of the Surgery Center of Kenai, LLC., Tuesday July 22, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska.

Surgery Center of Kenai seeks transfer agreement with CPH

The Surgery Center of Kenai recently opened its doors to patients on Trading Bay Road in Kenai, but it is facing some restrictions on which… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Tom Wilkinson, director of nurses, talks about surgical recovery rooms while Jake Savely, surgical tech listens during a tour of the Surgery Center of Kenai, LLC., Tuesday July 22, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska.
This graph, compiled by the Alaska Senate Majority, shows the state government’s spending by agency for fiscal year 2017. (Courtesy the Alaska Senate Majority) This graph, compiled by the Alaska Senate Majority, shows the state government’s spending by agency for fiscal year 2017. (Courtesy the Alaska Senate Majority)

How big can the Alaska health care bubble grow?

Alaska faces a paradox with its health care industry. In an economy sliding downhill, health care is the only sector still growing. With many jobs… Continue reading

This graph, compiled by the Alaska Senate Majority, shows the state government’s spending by agency for fiscal year 2017. (Courtesy the Alaska Senate Majority) This graph, compiled by the Alaska Senate Majority, shows the state government’s spending by agency for fiscal year 2017. (Courtesy the Alaska Senate Majority)
Teresa Reger (left, with sign) and Susie Stafford wave to passing cars at the annual demonstration in support of disability services by the Key Coalition advocacy group, held this year on Friday in Soldotna. Reger and Stafford are both parents of disabled adult children who receive services through the program the Key Campaign seeks to preserve. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Integration and independence’: Activists raise awareness for programs for people with disabilities

For 30 years the disability services activists of Alaska’s Key Campaign have been holding annual statewide demonstrations in towns like Soldotna — where demonstrators gathered… Continue reading

Teresa Reger (left, with sign) and Susie Stafford wave to passing cars at the annual demonstration in support of disability services by the Key Coalition advocacy group, held this year on Friday in Soldotna. Reger and Stafford are both parents of disabled adult children who receive services through the program the Key Campaign seeks to preserve. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)