Alaska’s Medicaid Program

DENALICARE IS UNDER THREAT

Congress is currently considering drastic federal cuts to Medicaid — a move that would slash funding for Alaska’s DenaliCare program and threaten health coverage for 38% of Alaskans.

If these cuts pass, Alaska would be forced to either eliminate DenaliCare coverage for eligible Alaskans  or pull state funds from other essential services — like schools, public safety, and infrastructure — to cover the funding shortfall.

Join us in standing up for Alaska’s families and essential services—before it’s too late.

Who DenaliCare Serves

DenaliCare is Alaska’s health care backbone — covering 279,000 residents.

Here’s who depends on it:

  • Children: 40% of all Alaska children are covered by DenaliCare.

  • Adults: 19% of Alaska adults are covered by DenaliCare — and 72% of them are employed.

  • Adults with Disabilities: 39% of Alaska’s adult DenaliCare enrollees have disabilities.

  • Nursing home residents: 76% of nursing home residents in Alaska rely on DenaliCare for long-term care.

What’s At Stake

Medicaid is Alaska’s largest source of federal funding, making up 29% of the federal dollars the state receives. Cutting that funding would put a major strain on Alaska’s health care system and state budget. If DenaliCare is slashed, Alaska could face:

  • A Terrible Choice: Eliminate Coverage or Defund Public Services:  State lawmakers would have to decide whether to disenroll groups of people from Medicaid services (DenaliCare), leaving them without coverage, or cut funding from other essential services like public safety, transportation, housing, and education to cover the funding shortfall.

  • Loss of Access to Care: DenaliCare provides essential primary care, mental health treatment, medications, emergency services, and more. For many rural and working-class Alaskans, it’s the only source of health coverage. Cuts could leave thousands without life-saving care.

  • Higher Costs and Strained Hospitals: DenaliCare supports over 20% of the care in most Alaska hospitals. Reducing this funding will lead to more uninsured patients, increased emergency room visits, and skyrocketing uncompensated care — threatening hospitals across the state.

Urgent Action: Stop the Cuts

Federal lawmakers are deciding Alaska’s Medicaid future right now. There’s no time to wait — tell your legislators that health care is not optional.

WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES