The Department of Health Commissioner Hedi Hedberg announced Alaska received the second highest amount of money awarded by the federal government to spend on its Rural Healthcare projects in 2026. Pharmacies interested in learning more about how they can participate in the program need to pre-register for a virtual webinar on January 14 from 9:30 am-11:30 am AKT. You will learn about the Rural Health Transformation Program, including the state’s vision, approved initiative areas, anticipated timelines, what we know to date about the funding process and explore how your community can participate in regional health transformation efforts.
Also in Alaska, the state was awarded the second most discretionary Rural Healthcare Transformation Funds (RHTF) by the federal government – $272,174,856 – to help states redesign rural healthcare systems. The funding is discretionary and tied, in part, to each state’s pharmacist’s scope-of-practice score. Having the legislature pass SB 147B / HB 195A would increase the state’s score to access more federal dollars—supporting hospitals, rural health clinics and behavioral health initiatives statewide. Pharmacies are working closely with the Department of Health Commissioner and the Board of Pharmacy to advance this legislation in 2026.
Finally in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy currently has one pharmacist vacancy and is anticipating another pharmacist vacancy in March 2026. Please consider applying online to serve on the Board of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.