Public Media for Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

YKHC Board Against Gov. Dunleavy's Budget

Dean Swope
/
KYUK

Another organization in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta came out against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget cuts this week. The board of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation passed a resolution saying that cuts to state funding for Medicaid expansion "will not save Alaska any money.”

Gov. Dunleavy wants to eliminate $249 million in state matching funds for Medicaid expansion, which would jeopardize federal funding. YKHC’s board says that it would erase jobs and reduce access to healthcare for many in the Y-K Delta. Around 35 percent of Alaska Natives rely on Medicaid for healthcare, and the Y-K Delta houses the greatest number of recognized tribes in the state.

The Association of Village Council Presidents also came out against Dunleavy’s proposed budget, citing the proposed cuts to Medicaid expansion as one of the reasons for their objection. These resolutions arrived ahead of a public hearing to be held in Bethel at the Cultural Center on Saturday over the proposed budget.