Healthcare

The Mount Juneau Counseling and Recovery facility is one of several programs operated by Gastineau Human Services at its campus in Lemon Creek. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Rainforest Recovery Center closure stands as Gastineau Human Services fires back at critics about its program

Accusations about closure prompt hospital, GHS, city leaders to meet about local substance abuse care.

 

Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders (foreground) present details of their request for financial support to keep hospice, home care and residential substance abuse recovery programs operating during a Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Funding for hospital’s hospice, home health and Rainforest Recovery programs get Assembly support

Plan includes Gastineau Human Services expanding to accommodate Rainforest’s substance abuse treatment.

 

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s crisis stabilization center during its unveiling on June 14, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett Regional Hospital shuts down programs at recently opened Aurora Behavioral Health Center

Crisis stabilization program halted at center due to lack of funds and staff, officials say.

 

Students with the Della Keats precollege program attend a lecture at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus in 2024. (Photo by Chanmi Joo)

Precollege program for rural, Alaska Native health students gets reboot and grant after funding gap

Della Keats program introduces students from far-flung parts of Alaska to college courses.

Students with the Della Keats precollege program attend a lecture at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus in 2024. (Photo by Chanmi Joo)
Quigley Peterson, a longtime doctor at Bartlett Regional Hospital, speaks in favor of its hospice and home health programs during a public forum at the hospital Tuesday to get feedback on proposed cuts to certain programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

As residents worry about program cuts at Bartlett, hospital leaders worry about competition from SEARHC

Risk of a “monopoly” by Native nonprofit expressed at meeting discussing hospital’s “non-core” services.

Quigley Peterson, a longtime doctor at Bartlett Regional Hospital, speaks in favor of its hospice and home health programs during a public forum at the hospital Tuesday to get feedback on proposed cuts to certain programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Abi Spofford, a Juneau resident who said she suffered a mental health crisis that resulted in her seeking treatment at Bartlett Regional Hospital nine months ago, testifies during a joint meeting of the hospital’s board of directors and the Juneau Assembly on Wednesday night where cuts to such programs were considered. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett seeking help from Assembly and public as program cuts considered to halt huge losses

Hospital losing $1M a month; comments sought on proposed “non-core” program cuts during coming weeks

Abi Spofford, a Juneau resident who said she suffered a mental health crisis that resulted in her seeking treatment at Bartlett Regional Hospital nine months ago, testifies during a joint meeting of the hospital’s board of directors and the Juneau Assembly on Wednesday night where cuts to such programs were considered. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The entrance road to Bartlett Regional Hospital. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett Regional Hospital looking at eliminating or trimming six ‘non-core’ programs to stabilize finances

Rainforest Recovery Center, autism therapy, crisis stabilization, hospice among programs targeted.

The entrance road to Bartlett Regional Hospital. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska tribal health consortiums are legally immune in many cases, state Supreme Court says

The Alaska Supreme Court overturned a 20-year-old precedent Friday by ruling that Alaska Native tribal organizations can more easily receive the kind of sovereign legal… Continue reading

The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The voting board in the Alaska House of Representatives displays the total votes for and against Senate Bill 45 on Monday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska lawmakers OK rules for subscription-style basic health care

The Alaska Legislature has voted to approve a health care approach likened to a gym membership. In a 28-12 vote on Monday, the state House… Continue reading

The voting board in the Alaska House of Representatives displays the total votes for and against Senate Bill 45 on Monday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, stands outside a restaurant on May 6, 2022, in Palmer, her home city. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Dr. Anne Zink to leave position as Alaska chief medical officer

Alaska’s ‘top doc’ reflects on nearly five years of work, time in public eye during pandemic.

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, stands outside a restaurant on May 6, 2022, in Palmer, her home city. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s new Vintage Park Campus is seen on its opening day of Dec. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s new Vintage Park Campus is seen on its opening day of Dec. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s (SEARHC) new Vintage Park Campus, under construction since the summer of 2022, is seen a few hours after opening for limited services on Tuesday morning. Work on some parts of the facility is scheduled to continue for the next month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

SEARHC’s new Vintage Park Campus opens with limited services

Urgent care, imaging, lab work available now; optometry, pediatrics, primary care scheduled soon.

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s (SEARHC) new Vintage Park Campus, under construction since the summer of 2022, is seen a few hours after opening for limited services on Tuesday morning. Work on some parts of the facility is scheduled to continue for the next month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Photo by Valeriya / Getty Images Plus)

Negotiations to decide insurance status of Alaska patients of Providence affiliates

Three health care provider groups with Alaska’s largest hospital have notified the state’s largest insurer that they are terminating their contracts at year’s end. Premera… Continue reading

(Photo by Valeriya / Getty Images Plus)
The Alaska Division of Insurance of some health care providers disagree about the impact of a state regulation setting minimum payments for out-of-network providers. Provider groups sued the state this week. (Photo by Valeriya/Getty Images Plus)

Alaska health care providers sue to keep state rule mandating minimum payments for care

State plans to end regulation on Jan. 1, citing upward pressure on prices,

The Alaska Division of Insurance of some health care providers disagree about the impact of a state regulation setting minimum payments for out-of-network providers. Provider groups sued the state this week. (Photo by Valeriya/Getty Images Plus)
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Proposed state medical board changes will decrease access to care

As a physician assistant (PA) who has practiced in Juneau for 20 years, I want to urge all to be aware of the proposed changes… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
The main entrance at Bartlett Regional Hospital, which has experience staffing shortages, leadership turnover and concerns expressed about patient care in recent months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Low employee morale a high concern for Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders

First board meeting with interim CEO focuses on better — and cautious — communications.

The main entrance at Bartlett Regional Hospital, which has experience staffing shortages, leadership turnover and concerns expressed about patient care in recent months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An empty hospital bed in a ward. (Photo by Flying Colours Ltd/Getty Images)

Thousands of Alaskans dropped from Medicaid after pandemic protections end

Federal government chides state for its handling of applications and renewals.

An empty hospital bed in a ward. (Photo by Flying Colours Ltd/Getty Images)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: Bartlett making improvements in care, needs to prioritize staff recruitment and retention

I am addressing concerns raised in the article, “Inhumane Treatment of Behavioral Health Care Patients at Bartlett Regional Hospital” (Juneau Empire, Aug. 2, 2023). Based… Continue reading

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Hospital CEO David Keith speaks to residents and hospital officials who gathered at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new behavioral health and crisis stabilization center unveiling in June. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Hospital to consider interim CEO options in the coming week

The plan follows resignations of Bartlett Regional Hospital’s CEO and CFO announced this week.

Hospital CEO David Keith speaks to residents and hospital officials who gathered at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new behavioral health and crisis stabilization center unveiling in June. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo of Wildflower Court on Monday. The independent nursing facility is now officially a part of Bartlett Regional Hospital after it was announced Monday the two entities finalized the acquisition. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett Regional Hospital officially absorbs Wildflower Court

Officials say it will help narrow the gap in local hospice and home care

This is a photo of Wildflower Court on Monday. The independent nursing facility is now officially a part of Bartlett Regional Hospital after it was announced Monday the two entities finalized the acquisition. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)