This Week's Updates
Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 02/13/2026 03:03 PM AKST
ACoA FY2025 Annual Report
ACoA February Quarterly Meeting & Juneau Visit
Thank you to everyone who joined our board meeting this week. Meeting minutes will be shared in a future e-blast. The ACoA Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report is available here. Our 2025 Senior Snapshot will be published later this month, stay tuned!
We appreciated the opportunity to meet with the Lieutenant Governor Wednesday evening at a reception with the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education and the Alaska Deaf Council. We presented our Annual Report which includes our Recommendations to the Governor (above).
ACoA Legislative Priorities this Session
Our legislative priorities this legislative session include:
- Pass HB255 / SB240 Senior PFD Raffle Bill
- Pass SB190 Guardianship / Conservatorship
- Pass SB124 / HB131 Nursing Licensure Compact
- Increase Non-Medicaid Senior Services Funding
- Support the Governor's budget for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's Senior Citizens Housing Development Fund
- Review Guidehouse Long Term Support Services (LTSS) Rate Review Recommendations
You can view ACoA's detailed Legislative Priorities packet here.
PFD Senior Raffle Bill Moves to Senate
HB255 has moved to the Senate, companion bill SB240. If it passes, in 2027, Alaskans would have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets with their PFD, supporting a new senior services fund which senior-serving organizations would apply to access funds for their needs. Modeled on the PFD Education Raffle, the Senior Raffle includes a cash prize.
Listen to the two House hearings on this bill here.
Guidehouse Rate Review Hearings
On Monday, the Alaska House Finance Committee held a hearing on the Guidehouse rate review study including Long Term Support Services. Listen here.
On Tuesday, Senate Health and Social Services Committee held a hearing with Department of Health and Guidehouse leadership, listen here.
ACoA Service Provider Seat Open Now
Any Alaskan service provider who is age 60+ and works with seniors is welcome to apply to fill our open Service Provider commissioner seat. Apply here.
The appointment is a four-year term. Commissioners are required to participate in quarterly board meetings. Questions can be sent to doh.acoa.info@alaska.gov.
Adult Protective Services MDT Coordinator: Apply by Feb 18
AKOLTCO 2025 Annual Report
FFY 2025 Annual Report for the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is available here. The report highlights AKOLTCO's accomplishments over the past year and what is possible to achieve when we work collaboratively with our partner agencies to support seniors in Alaska.
Rural Health Transformation Funding Webinar
You can watch Tuesday's Department of Health presentation here, scroll down to: "RHTP Funding Application Process (February 10, 2026)" for all documents and the recording. Applications for Letters of Intent should open later this month. Awards will be released in the spring.
988: Leveraging the Skills of Older Adults & Tribal Elders to Strengthen the Crisis System Response Webinar Feb 26
As crisis systems continue to evolve, it is essential to recognize and elevate the contributions of those with lived experience, traditional wisdom, and community trust. Tribal elders and older adults represent a critical but underutilized resource in strengthening crisis prevention, response, and recovery efforts. Their perspectives, relationships, and knowledge can enhance awareness, trust‑building, and continuity across the crisis continuum.
This workshop will explore how crisis and behavioral health systems can intentionally integrate Tribal elders and older adults into crisis system design and delivery. Geared toward crisis system leaders, behavioral health providers, 988 coordinators, peer support programs, Tribal organizations, and community-based providers, the session will highlight practical strategies, training options, and real‑world examples of leveraging elders’ and older adults’ strengths in prevention, response, care navigation, and recovery support.
USAging: Solutions for Older Adults' Homelessness Virtual Summit Feb 20
Rates of homelessness are increasing among older adults, making up one-fifth of the population experiencing homelessness in this country, while many communities are underprepared to effectively respond to and prevent it. Join us to hear from local, regional and national leaders in both the Aging and Homeless Services Networks about the growing issue of older adults' homelessness and, crucially, what we can do to address it. Register here. A detailed agenda is available here.
SSA: National Slam the Scam Day March 5
The Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General are partnering with other government agencies for the 7th Annual Slam the Scam Day. Join SSA during National Consumer Protection Week as they continue their commitment to raising public awareness about government imposter scams.
Visit the Slam the Scam Resources page for details on this year’s campaign. The page features social media toolkits, printable resources such as infographics, and other outreach materials to help you share scam-prevention messages with your communities. Again this year, the page will also list organizations dedicated to helping the country “Slam the Scam!”
Contact External.Relations@ssa.gov for more information.
Justice in Aging: Medicare & Medicaid Provisions in CAA Bill
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (CAA) that was signed into law last week included numerous health care provisions beyond the regular appropriations and reauthorization of programs.
A few Medicare, Medicaid and language access reforms included that Justice in Aging supports are:
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Elimination of copays for generic drugs under the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) beginning in 2028 for people dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty line.
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New requirements to make Medicare Advantage plan provider directories more accurate and easier to use, and to protect enrollees from higher out-of-network cost sharing when relying on incorrect directory information.
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Removing the current age limit of 65 on the “Ticket to Work” Medicaid buy-in program for adults with disabilities who have income and assets that exceed other Medicaid eligibility limits.
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The SPEAK Act, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop best practices for improving telehealth access for people with limited English proficiency.
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Funding for HHS to continue language access improvement projects, such as development of a universal language access symbol.
Read more about the CAA of 2026 in this summary from last week, and learn more about Justice in Aging’s health care priorities.
DOJ: National Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team Survey Report 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative has published a new report examining the current landscape of Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) nationwide. The findings are drawn from a December 2025 national survey that assessed how MDTs are functioning, highlighting their strengths, identifying ongoing challenges, and outlining priorities for future growth and sustainability. The report can serve as a useful tool for evaluating team structure, strengthening collaboration, and planning for long-term sustainability.
ADvancing States HCBS Conference Accepting Session Proposals Through April 1
ADvancing States is now seeking original, thought-provoking, educational sessions about creative approaches, innovative models, and emerging trends in the landscape of long-term services and supports programs and home and community-based service delivery, as well as topics that address the pressing issues facing aging and disabilities programs.
The HCBS Conference will be held in-person August 23 - 27, 2026, at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott.
They will be accepting proposals until Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: The information and announcements included in this email are being redistributed for informational purposes only. Our agency does not necessarily endorse or support the views, opinions, or activities of these organizations, and inclusion in this email does not imply any affiliation or recommendation.