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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Health care advocate says future of Medicaid critical for rural Alaskans

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Tuesday, January 21, 2025   

A new report finds that significant cuts proposed for Medicaid funding would disproportionately affect rural and small-town residents in Alaska and many other states.

Research from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University examines Republican plans to cut Medicaid funding in the next federal budget.

Currently, almost 250,000 Alaskans are enrolled in Medicaid.

Jen Griffis, vice president for policy and advocacy at the Alaska Children's Trust, said many people in rural Alaska - particularly children and pregnant mothers - rely heavily on Medicaid coverage.

"Thirty-nine percent of our Alaskans in rural communities, are covered by Medicaid," said Griffis. "Medicaid is vitally important for Alaska's health-care systems, but definitely our rural communities have much more at stake when we look at the potential of Medicaid cuts."

The report also finds that Medicaid provides coverage for a majority of Alaska Natives or other people of color. It also finds that 38% of all births in the state are covered by Medicaid.

The report finds more than 40% of rural Americans depend on Medicaid for coverage, and says accessing care presents some unique problems.

Griffis said Medicaid currently pays much of the transportation costs in Alaska's rural communities to travel to a doctor.

"Many communities are what we call off-the-road systems," said Griffis. "So, you utilize planes to access medical care, routine medical care beyond just what's available within the village in some cases."

The Georgetown Center's Executive Director, Joan Alker, said some proposals call for reducing Medicaid by nearly $2.5 trillion. She called that "horrifying" because it received very little attention in last year's campaign.

"There was complete silence about it, despite the fact that it is the largest source of public coverage by far in the United States," said Alker. "It's also a very popular program with the voters of all political stripes."

Congressional Republicans are seeking to cut federal spending to renew the 2017 tax cut, which is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.


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