HJR32 — RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

34-LS1498\AS HOUSET JOINTA RESOLUTIONT NO.E O F A L A S K A THE LEGISLATURE Legislative Source Resolve No.

32CSHJR IN32(HSS) THE28 LEGISLATUREExpressing OFcommitment THEto STATEthe OFrural ALASKAhealth THIRTY-FOURTHtransformation LEGISLATUREprogram; - SECOND SESSION BY THE HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE Introduced:

2/18/26 Referred:

Health and Social Services A RESOLUTION Expressing commitment to the rural health transformation program and articulating priorities for the program;

and urging action by the Governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the rural health transformation program;program.

and_______________ expressingBE legislativeIT intentRESOLVED toBY enactTHE comprehensiveLEGISLATURE legislationOF relatingTHE toSTATE theOF ruralALASKA: health transformation program and the state's medical care and critical health care needs.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

and WHEREAS Alaska received the second-highest total funding allocation and the highest per capita funding of any state in the United States, reflecting the critical health care HJR032a -1- HJR 32 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1498\A needs of the state and the state's rural frontier and the dedication of those individuals who advocated for those resources;

and WHEREAS the efforts of the Alaska delegation in Congress have created an unprecedented opportunity to address longstanding health care disparities and build a more sustainable and accessible health care system for all residents of the state, particularly those individuals living in rural areas of the state and Alaska Native communities;

-1- Enrolled HJR 32 and WHEREAS the rural health transformation program provides considerable assistance to the state's health care system by enabling investments in the following six critical priority areas:

and (6) technology and innovation, including modernizing health care infrastructure, expanding telehealth capacity, and implementing innovative care delivery models;

andBE WHEREASIT federalRESOLVED lawthat requires the stateAlaska toState enactLegislature enablingrecognizes legislationthat byprudent Decemberstewardship 31,of 2027,those tofederal maintainfunds accessrequires tocareful theplanning, fullstakeholder $272,174,856engagement, allocation, and failureclear tofederal meetguidance; policy commitments or obligate funds appropriately may result in redistribution of the state's allocation to other states beginning March 31, 2028;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes that prudent stewardship of those federal funds requires careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and HJR 32 -2- HJR032a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1498\A clear federal guidance;

and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proposessupports toflexibility enactin comprehensivethe enablingrural legislationhealth totransformation fullyprogram's authorizecriteria and implementtimeline theto state'smaximize participationinvestment in thehealth ruralcare healthfacility transformationinfrastructure program;and workforce development;

and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature articulates the following legislative priorities for the rural health transformation program:

(1) maximum investment in health care access for all residents of the state, but especially for communities that are currently most lacking adequate services;

(2) aggressive expansion of telehealth infrastructure, including broadband and telecommunications improvements, recognizing that delivery of technology-enabled care is essential for the state's geographic reality;

(3) substantial workforce development, including competitive retention incentives, relocation assistance, housing support, professional development, and scope of practice reforms, to maximize the capabilities of available health care professionals;

(4) maternal and child health services to address the state's unacceptably high maternal and infant mortality rates;

(5) health care facility infrastructure improvements, including renovations, equipment modernization, and technology upgrades necessary to provide quality care;

(6) integration and coordination between tribal health systems, the federal Indian Health Service, and state health care providers to create a seamless, culturally competent health care system;

and (7) sustainable financing models that ensure program benefits continue beyond the five-year federal funding period;

HJR032aEnrolled -3- HJR 32 New-2- Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1498\A (2) provide interim reports to the Alaska State Legislature on implementation,implementation of, fund distribution,distribution for, and federal guidance received on the rural health transformation program;

Senators, and the Honorable Nicholas HJR-3- 32Enrolled -4-HJR HJR032a32 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1498\A Begich, U.S.

HJR032aEnrolled -5- HJR 32 New-4- Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]