Access Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare is too expensive and too hard to reach, especially in rural Alaska. No Alaskan should miss care because of where they live, what they earn, or how far they have to travel.

Expand affordable coverage

As Governor, I will:

• Expand DenaliCare to cover more working Alaskans

• Help people caught between Medicaid and unaffordable private plans

• Fix Medicaid staffing and backlogs so eligible Alaskans do not lose care because of paperwork

• Reduce uncompensated ER care that drives up costs for everyone

Too many Alaskans are paying more and getting less. Expanding coverage helps people get care earlier, avoid bigger crises, and lower the costs that get passed on to everyone else.

Lower prescription drug costs

As Governor, I will:

• Bypass pharmacy benefit managers where possible

• Establish a board to negotiate directly with manufacturers

• Cut out middlemen who inflate pharmacy prices

• Use the state’s buying power to lower what Alaskans pay

Alaskans should not overpay for medicine because middlemen are taking a cut. By negotiating directly and cutting unnecessary markups, we can make prescriptions more affordable.

Bring care closer to home

As Governor, I will:

• Expand rural telehealth access

• Build broadband partnerships for healthcare delivery

• Expand tele-specialty networks for rural Alaska

• Support clinics and Alaska Native health organizations that serve local communities

Geography should not be a death sentence. Better telehealth, stronger local clinics, and more specialty care connections can help Alaskans get care closer to home.

Grow Alaska’s healthcare workforce

As Governor, I will:

• Expand nursing and behavioral health training at the University of Alaska

• Strengthen loan repayment programs to keep providers in Alaska

• Support housing for rural health workers

• Build more training pathways for Alaskans to enter healthcare jobs

Alaska needs healthcare workers who can build a life here. Growing our workforce from within means shorter waits, more stable care, and more good jobs in Alaska.

Improve behavioral healthcare access

As Governor, I will:

• Expand mental health services in schools, clinics, and communities

• Expand substance misuse treatment and prevention

• Put mental health professionals closer to the front end of the system

• Help Alaskans access care before crises occur

Behavioral healthcare should not start only after someone is in crisis. Earlier care saves lives, supports families, and reduces pressure on hospitals, police, and jails.