New State Law Says EMS Providers Can Receive More Reimbursement from Medicaid
Yesterday, Governor Bill Walker signed House Bill 176 into law, which allows EMS providers to seek supplemental reimbursement from the Medicaid program. Currently, EMS providers around the state only receive payment for 30% of their costs when transporting patients eligible for Medicaid.
Regional Projects Slated to Receive Funding from Capital Budget, Including Nome’s Deep Draft Port
According to the breakdown of projects funded by the new budget, $1.6 million is intended to support the design of an Arctic Deep Draft Port in Nome. The 2018 Capital Budget also awarded Wales $650,000 and almost $100,000 to Koyuk for water system heat recovery projects. Another significant monetary award designated for Western Alaska was given to Mountain Village, so the community can benefit from St. Mary’s wind energy project.
Starting Positions Set for 2018 Iditarod; 67 Mushers to Depart from Willow on Sunday
After bib #1 was dedicated to this year’s honorary musher, the late Joe Redington, Jr., Cody Strathe and all the other 66 registered mushers drew numbers from a traditional mukluk boot during Thursday night’s mushers banquet in Anchorage. Strathe will be the first musher to leave Willow Sunday afternoon.
Alaska Delegation to Zinke: Exclude Bering Strait from OCS Proposal
Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congressman Young say they support oil and gas leases in both the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. However, their letter asks Interior Secretary Zinke to remove 11 regions of offshore Alaska from the draft OCS proposal, including Bering Strait waters previously requested for protection by Kawerak.
Chris Apassingok’s Keynote Address from the 2017 Elders and Youth Conference
After accepting an award for his successful bowhead whale hunt this spring, Chris Apassingok of Gambell gave the 2017 Elders and Youth Conference keynote address; the speech, in both Siberian Yupik and English, touched on many subjects, including decreasing sea ice near his home.
Governor Walker Responds to Departure from Paris Climate Agreement
Governor Walker pointed directly to erosion and climate change affecting Shishmaref, Kivalina, and Newtok.