$2.5 Million for Alaska's Seniors Secured in FY26 Budget 

AGEnet, AARP Alaska, many statewide advocates and partners, senior centers and community members, and the Alaska Legislature, came together to ensure the $2.5 million budget increment (increase) to Senior Community Grants, supporting critical services for Older Alaskans. Governor Dunleavy signed the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget yesterday. 

View the Governor's line-item vetoes. 

AARP Alaska's 2025 Legislative Report explains why this additional funding is so essential. 

Check out AARP Alaska's Bill Tracking page here!

Senior & Disabilities Services: New Brochures on Medicaid Waiver System Available

The Senior & Disabilities Services communications team developed new brochures to help families and individuals better understand Alaska’s waiver system. Stay tuned as these resources get added to the new Department of Health website. In the meantime, you can access them at the hyperlinks below: 

• Flowchart outlining steps to access waiver services - click here
• Brochure with information on how to become a Direct Service Provider (DSP) and Personal Care Assistant (PCA) - click here
• Home and Community Based Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) Medicaid Waivers: Adults Living Independently, Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities, and Children with Complex Medical Conditions - click here
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities & Individualized Supports Medicaid Waiver - click here
• Waiver process from start to finish - click here

These materials were created at the request of the Alaska Dementia Action Collaborative’s (ADAC) Caregivers Workgroup, one of five workgroups working together towards ADAC's Vision for 2030: that Alaska succeeds in meeting the needs of residents impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias through community-driven initiatives supported by a highly coordinated collective statewide effort that embraces cultural strengths and encourages innovation. If you are interested in joining ADAC, please email: sandra.heffern@effectivehealthdesign.com

Nikiski Senior Center Now Hiring Executive Director

The Nikiski Senior Center is hiring a full-time Executive Director to lead a team of 13 staff and oversee daily operations, programs, finances, and partnerships. The role is based in Nikiski, Alaska, and requires 40 hours per week, with flexible comp time for evenings or weekends. Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or 3+ years of progressive management experience. To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to: sfkanour@gmail.com. For more information visit alaskajobs.alaska.gov and search for job ID: 686525.

Fairbanks Senior Center: Call for Meals on Wheels Volunteer Drivers

"We need your help!!! The Fairbanks Senior Center needs volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels. We are short of drivers and really need help to get lunches to our pioneers. This is a fabulous way to give back to the community, and it's very rewarding to put a smile on a senior’s face. We have a great fun-loving crew. We need folks that can commit to working for a few months. This work is in the morning starting from 9:30am to 11am and lasts about 2 hours, delivering a lunch. You can volunteer once a week or more if you like. We pay for the background check. All training is provided. Call and talk to Ashley at 907-452-1735, we will appreciate you, and you will have FUN!!"

Facebook post to share. 

Homer Senior Center Hiring 2 New Cooks 

Title VI Older Americans Act Tribal Funding for Elder Services Due this Winter 

The Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs currently administers the Title VI program that was established in 1978 as part of the Older Americans Act. This office oversees Title VI funding to programs for the provision of nutrition, supportive services, and caregiver support services for American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The Older Indians website is dedicated to delivering training and technical assistance resources to Title VI Directors and serves as a forum for increased communication between Title VI programs. 

The next 3-year grant cycle is coming up! The application will open in September and they anticipate it being due in November/December. Learn about available funding here and how to apply.

Tribes should begin the required Elder Needs Assessment now, and get Tribal Resolutions signed to participate. A minimum of 50 Elders age 60+ are required. Smaller communities are welcome to apply together.   

'One Big Beautiful Bill' Implications on Rural Hospitals 

Cuts to Medicaid and other federal health programs proposed in President Donald Trump’s budget plan could quickly destabilize the finances of more than 300 rural hospitals already under economic strain, according to researchers who monitor rural healthcare. These hospitals would face an increased risk of closure, scaling back services, or discontinuing inpatient care, according to a report by experts from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. The analysis was conducted at the request of Senate Democrats, who released the findings publicly on Thursday. Read more here.

As rural hospitals face financial strain and potential federal healthcare cuts that could leave millions uninsured, a growing number of medical debt financing and “patient access” companies are offering their services as a lifeline. These firms act as intermediaries between hospitals and patients—particularly targeting low-income, uninsured, or unbanked individuals—to help providers recover payments. Companies like Curae, which charges hospitals to help secure funds from various sources including patients, argue they offer a needed solution for hospitals that are increasingly operating at a loss. Read The Guardian article. 

U.S. House Approves Defunding Public Radio 

The House narrowly approved a measure yesterday to rescind the next two years of funding, totaling $1.1 billion, for public media outlets. Roughly two-thirds of that funding supports more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations, nearly half of which are located in rural communities across the country. Many older adults rely on radio as a trusted news source. In Alaska, rural radio stations offer important historical, linguistic, cultural and social programming, especially for (and led by) Elders. In addition to defunding public media, the bill outlines $9.4 billion in overall cuts, primarily targeting foreign aid programs for global health, disaster relief, and hunger assistance. The Senate has not yet taken up the measure. Read the AP News article.

Learn more here.

AHHA: "We need Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan to stand with Alaskans on Medicaid"

The Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association (AHHA) joined the Alaska AFL-CIO in publishing an op-ed urging Alaska’s U.S. senators to protect Medicaid coverage. The piece emphasizes that the future of Medicaid is critical to both the health of Alaskans and the stability of the state’s economy, calling on lawmakers to stand with their constituents in safeguarding this essential program.

Read it here. 

The Multibillion Dollar Battle Over Veterans Benefits

A bill to legalize for-profit claims consultants nationwide is advancing to a full House vote for the first time, after clearing the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. A separate proposal to impose criminal penalties on such companies has stalled. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court recently signaled that a New Jersey law banning these businesses may violate their First Amendment rights, even if they charge for advising veterans. The developments follow a strategy of lobbying and legal challenges by companies like Veterans Guardian, which has spent over $4 million in recent years to influence lawmakers and defend its operations, according to an investigation by The War Horse.

MPAC June 2025 Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System

This year, taxpayers are expected to provide $86 billion to Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers for supplemental benefits—about 17% of total payments to those plans. However, a new report from Medicare experts highlights a lack of transparency around how that money is used and whether beneficiaries are actually receiving the benefits. According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s annual report to Congress, funding through rebates for these extras has increased by over 300% since 2018, when it totaled $21 billion. A growing share now goes toward dental, vision, and hearing services, often delivered by companies affiliated with the insurers themselves, raising concerns about whether public funds are benefiting enrollees or boosting insurer profits. This article requires a subscription.

AKHF: Apply to Nudlaghi Leadership Institute Retreats this Summer 

The Alaska Humanities Forum invites mid-level managers, senior leaders, and CEOs to apply for transformative leadership retreats hosted by the Nudlaghi Leadership Institute at Silver Salmon Camp near Lake Clark. These immersive, three-day sessions combine professional development with nature, connection, and community. Explore all retreats available and deadlines to apply here. 

Support and Healing for Older Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Webinar June 17 

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) and the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) are presenting this webinar June 17th at 8am AKST on abuse in later life, which is at the intersection of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and elder abuse. This webinar will delve into unique issues older victims face and explore strategies to provide the support and services they need. The webinar will also include and provide an overview of OVW technical assistance resources to support your work. Register here. 

Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Unlocking the Power of Habits, Routines and Strategies Webinar June 20 

Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a support and education program about brain health and living well with MCI hosted by the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Classes offer attendees guidance and science-backed strategies for living and coping with memory and thinking changes. In the next quarterly class on June 20th at 6:30am AKST, guest speaker Gordon Giles, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, an internationally recognized expert in the field of neurological rehabilitation, will explain how habits, routines and strategies can help people function better at any stage of life and highlight the evidence supporting these effective, practical approaches. Register here.