Medicaid

Megan Lingle writes a postcard to Alaska state senators on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Alaskans call for senators to take ‘hands off Medicaid’

Juneau demonstrators join statewide warning, Alaska gains protections in latest version of the bill

 

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

US House Republicans push through massive tax and spending bill slashing Medicaid

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Thursday approved the “big, beautiful bill” that Republican leaders spent months negotiating with centrists and far-right members of the… Continue reading

 

State Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage) speaks during a candlelight vigil Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol by participants calling upon federal lawmakers not to cut Medicaid funding (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposed Medicaid cuts in Alaska: A protest, a Senate resolution and where things currently stand

Some Republicans in D.C. balk at full $880B reduction; work requirements, other trims still in play.

 

Republicans have toiled under House Speaker Mike Johnson to find $880 billion in savings over a decade and assemble a number of cuts large enough to meet that goal. (Tierney L. Cross / For The New York Times)

Republicans propose paring Medicaid coverage, but steer clear of deeper cuts

House panel’s plan would still leave millions without health coverage or facing higher costs.

  • May 12, 2025
  • By Margot Sanger-Katz and Catie Edmondson ©2025 The New York Times Company
  • NewsMedicaid
Republicans have toiled under House Speaker Mike Johnson to find $880 billion in savings over a decade and assemble a number of cuts large enough to meet that goal. (Tierney L. Cross / For The New York Times)
U.S. House Speaker Speaker Mike Johnson put down revolts on a budget bill Tuesday among centrist Republicans who feared that the plan would require deep cuts to Medicaid and conservatives who wanted more reductions. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

U.S. House passes GOP budget teeing up enormous tax and spending cuts

Officials say cuts may result in 100,000 Alaskans losing Medicaid coverage, 70,000 losing SNAP benefits.

U.S. House Speaker Speaker Mike Johnson put down revolts on a budget bill Tuesday among centrist Republicans who feared that the plan would require deep cuts to Medicaid and conservatives who wanted more reductions. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
(Getty Images)

Alaska’s Medicaid backlog triggers lawsuit

On a life-flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Sierra Ott’s newborn son Liam would not stop bleeding from a routine needle prick. Doctors in the Anchorage… Continue reading

(Getty Images)
A nurses station is seen in an undated image. (Photo by FS Productions/Getty Images)

As Alaska works through post-pandemic Medicaid renewals, only about a third of people stay covered

Health Department officials say they are ‘sounding the alarm’

A nurses station is seen in an undated image. (Photo by FS Productions/Getty Images)
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)
Members of the Alaska State House vote 35-3 to pass a bill Wednesday expanding Medicaid coverage for new mothers to 12 months instead of 60 days. The Senate has already passed the bill, but must concur with House changes before it is sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who introduced the bill. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Extended Medicaid coverage for new moms passes House

Bill providing one year of care is a proceedural step from being sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Members of the Alaska State House vote 35-3 to pass a bill Wednesday expanding Medicaid coverage for new mothers to 12 months instead of 60 days. The Senate has already passed the bill, but must concur with House changes before it is sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who introduced the bill. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A chart shows the number and type of Alaska residents receiving Medicaid coverage based on either 2022 Alaska Medicaid Claims data (yellow) or 2021 U.S. Census data (orange). More than 260,000 residents are currently enrolled, about 30,000 more than 2020, due to a federal provision that kept states from removing people during the COVID-19 pandemic. That provision ended April 1 and Alaska officials are scheduled review eligibility of all residents enrolled during the next 12 months. (Alaska Division of Public Assistance)

Medicaid eligibility for all enrollees under review

Coverage for more than 260,000 Alaskans to be checked during next year as COVID-19 protection ends

A chart shows the number and type of Alaska residents receiving Medicaid coverage based on either 2022 Alaska Medicaid Claims data (yellow) or 2021 U.S. Census data (orange). More than 260,000 residents are currently enrolled, about 30,000 more than 2020, due to a federal provision that kept states from removing people during the COVID-19 pandemic. That provision ended April 1 and Alaska officials are scheduled review eligibility of all residents enrolled during the next 12 months. (Alaska Division of Public Assistance)
In this Sept. 6, 2018 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo | Becky Bohrer File)

Opinion: Medicaid expansion is out of control

For less government, Mike Dunleavy is the clear choice for governor.

In this Sept. 6, 2018 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo | Becky Bohrer File)
Opinion: Medicaid Expansion is a fiscal trap for Alaskans

Opinion: Medicaid Expansion is a fiscal trap for Alaskans

Since Gov. Bill Walker unilaterally expanded Obamacare in Alaska, enrollment has skyrocketed and is providing needed health care coverage to vulnerable Alaskans and bringing additional… Continue reading

Opinion: Medicaid Expansion is a fiscal trap for Alaskans

Alaska Senate considers ways to limit Medicaid access

As the Alaska Senate considers new regulations for Alaskans receiving government-funded health care, state officials are warning that the changes will not save money. In… Continue reading

Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, presents House Bill 321, the “fast-track” supplemental budget bill, Friday, March 16, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

Alaska Legislature passes bill to avert shutdown of Medicaid, ferries

The Alaska Legislature on Friday morning approved a stopgap spending plan that keeps the Alaska Marine Highway System operating and the state’s Medicaid program working.… Continue reading

Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, presents House Bill 321, the “fast-track” supplemental budget bill, Friday, March 16, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

The Medicaid Mess

The American Health Care Act, spearheaded by Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R- WI), has failed. For now. AHCA was characterized as nothing… Continue reading