News
ANHB Holds Quarterly Meeting in Sitka AK
On June 2nd and 3rd, ANHB visited Sitka, AK, for the June Quarterly Meeting. Tribal health directors discussed a variety of topics including nominations for national advisory committees. Representatives from CMS and the VA were present to provide updates and take questions. ANHB Members also heard updates from the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) and toured SEARHC’s new Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center. ANHB thanks SEARHC for their hospitality and warm welcome in Sitka.
ANHB Hosts May Medicaid Task Force
On May 1, ANHB held the semi-annual Medicaid Task Force (MTF) with the Alaska Department of Health (DOH). ANHB members brought forward key issues for discussion around the Medicaid application backlog, Division of Public Assistance (DPA) modernization, the MTF Open Items list, and DOH plans for H.R. 1 implementation, among other items. ANHB also collaborates with DOH via smaller, technical workgroups that bring together subject matter experts to move forward collaborative solutions.
ANHB Hosts ATHC Pre-Negotiations and Tribal Consultation on IHS Realignment
On March 17-18, 2026, ANHB hosted Alaska Tribal Health Compact (ATHC) Pre-Negotiations with the Indian Health Service (IHS), alongside formal Tribal Consultation on the IHS proposed realignment. During Tribal Consultation, Co-Signers bought forward comments, questions, and requests, including a request that the agency pause implementation of realignment until it has sufficiently discussed and negotiated with Tribes. ANHB submitted a follow-up letter to the IHS outlining Co-Signers’ comments. ANHB additionally sent letters thanking Senators Murkowski and Sullivan for their work in urging the IHS to conduct Tribal Consultation in Alaska.
