
Significant cuts to Medicaid alongside impacts to Medicare are included in the budget reconciliation bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week. Alaska is second only to New Mexico in the highest rate of people using Medicaid. About 38% of Alaskans are on it, according to the state’s Department of Health.
Medicaid is a health insurance option for low-income people, and Medicare is a federal program providing health insurance for eligible seniors and people with disabilities. Much is still unknown about how exactly the federal cuts will impact people on a local level. Petersburg Medical Center (PMC) CEO Phil Hofstetter said hospital staff will do what they can to mitigate its effects. He gave updates on the federal health insurance changes at the Borough Assembly meeting on July 7.
“We have staff who are getting trained to make sure we meet those needs for the community,” he said. “Along those lines, we are offering … some classes to learn about Medicare basics and long-term Medicaid planning.”
Patient Navigator Brandy Boggs has been hosting these sessions periodically for the past few years. She said they’re especially important in Southeast Alaska, which has the highest proportion of seniors in the state.
“We really need to start reaching out to supports and getting educated about how we’re going to plan for our needs and our care,” Boggs said. “Whether that be just attending some community forums, or getting some brochures, or just some information, or reaching out to an attorney who can help us plan for Medicaid.”
She said the Medicaid planning process can take years, which is why it’s important to start preparing as soon as possible.
Those sessions are happening this week in the PMC Dorothy Ingle Conference Room. The Medicare Basics sessions are July 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and July 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Long Term Medicaid Annuities Sessions are July 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and July 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.