It’s part of the state’s effort to revamp the food assistance system to speed up application processing, as some Alaskans have waited months for their benefits.
Health
Respiratory illnesses are on the rise after the holidays
Cases of COVID-19 and the flu are high and increasing nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. RSV cases are elevated but have started to fall in some places.
Older Americans say they feel trapped in Medicare Advantage plans
As enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans grows, so do concerns about how well the insurance works, including from those who say they have become trapped in the private plans as their health declines.
State compiles first comprehensive account of Alaska children’s stress and trauma
An epidemiology bulletin presents baseline information about adverse childhood experiences that are known to lead to poor health outcomes.
Americans on Medicare now get better access to mental health care. Here’s how
Medicare now covers therapy appointments with licensed marriage and family counselors, and licensed professional counselors.
Bartlett Hospital’s behavioral health center opens doors to youth in crisis
The goal is to provide a welcoming, age-appropriate alternative to the emergency room.
New SEARHC urgent care opens in the Mendenhall Valley
The organization’s other urgent care location in Juneau was at capacity soon after it opened.
St. Olga of Kwethluk to become first-ever Yup’ik saint
The late Orthodox missionary and scholar Fr. Michael Oleksa played a key role in compiling the accounts of holiness essential to the official process of Olga’s glorification.
Most Americans with mental health needs don’t get treatment, report finds
Many Americans are diagnosed with mental health conditions, but most don’t get professional help, even if they’re insured. Obstacles include difficulties finding providers their plan covers.
Alaska’s domestic violence rates remain high, as advocates push for more preventative measures
A recent series by the Alaska Beacon takes a look at various facets of the domestic violence epidemic in Alaska, from root causes and proposed solutions to adverse health effects.