The Department of Health (DOH) is hosting an informational Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) webinar on February 10 from 1:00 pm -2:00 pm AKST, focused on the application process. This webinar is for healthcare providers, Tribes and Tribal Health Organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, workforce and education partners and others interested in participating in RHTP. Be sure to register in advance. 

Also in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy's quarterly meeting is on Zoom on February 9 and 10. All members of the public that will be attending the meeting will need to preregister. The agenda and meeting materials will be available on the Board's website.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Legislature convened January 20 and is scheduled to adjourn on May 20.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The legislature convenes on January 20, with a projected adjournment date on May 20. 

Also in Alaska, State Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg and her team hosted a webinar this week to present approved initiatives and timelines, share updates on the funding process and discuss opportunities for healthcare providers to engage with the Rural Health Transformation Program. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

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.

The Board of Pharmacy posted the meeting materials for its quarterly teleconference meeting held on November 20. Included on the agenda were updates from industry on pending pharmacist prescriptive authority legislation, SB 147 and HB 195.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS is working collaboratively with the Alaska Pharmacy Association to ensure pharmacists and pharmacies are included in the Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Health ignored comments from NACDS and others submitted last March on adopted regulations lowering Medicaid payment rates for pharmacy dispensing fees based on the 2020 Myers and Stauffer cost of dispensing report.  

Also in Alaska, NACDS completed the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy’s next quarterly meeting will be held virtually only on August 21. The Zoom log-in information, tentative agenda and public meeting packet are available on the board’s webpage. The public will need to register in advance using the link provided on the agenda. If you plan to testify on a subject, you must select “yes” in the questions when registering.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The first session of the regular legislative session adjourned on May 25. SB 147B and HB 195A, which were supported by pharmacies, aimed to expand access to care by granting pharmacists independent authority. This would establish a standard of care model, allowing pharmacists to fill urgent care gaps and provide patient care services. These bills will be carried over into the 2026 session. 

Also in Alaska, Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) signed SB 132, PBM reform legislation requiring insurers and PBMs to respond within 60 days to any inquiries by the Department of Health. The new law prohibits denial of claims submitted by the Department of Health from failure to obtain prior authorization.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.