OPINION: Empowering healthier communities in rural Alaska

People, no matter where they live, should have access to high-quality health care services and healthy food options to put on the table.

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day on Nov. 16 this year, we are reminded that a strong community is rooted in its people.

As I’ve traveled across Alaska, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges people in rural communities and remote parts of the state have accessing health care resources they need and deserve.

That’s why working with our partners like Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Southcentral Foundation is important for ensuring people in rural areas have access to the care they need. For instance, USDA Rural Development is helping fund the new construction of Chugachmiut Regional Health Center in Seward.

This new regional health care facility, and the expanded services it will offer, is an example of how committed the Biden-Harris administration is to providing culturally responsive care and decreasing wait time and the need to travel for medical, dental and behavioral health services for people who live and work far from major cities.

The 15,475-square-foot tribally owned and operated health clinic will serve as a regional hub providing medical, dental and behavioral health services for Alaskans in seven Tribal communities. Construction is scheduled to finish in December 2024.

At USDA Rural Development, we want everyone in rural America to have access to high-quality and reliable health care services like urgent care, primary care, dental care and more. That’s why I was proud to champion the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants created by President Biden’s historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act.

For example, in March 2020, Southcentral Foundation declared the village of Takotna’s clinic a “total loss” after a fire. Travel to and from Takotna is conducted via plane on a nearby gravel airstrip — or by snow machine or dogsled during the winter — from McGrath, 17 miles east. The nearest hospital is 235 air miles away in Anchorage. Through an Emergency Rural Health Care Grant from Rural Development, we were able to provide $1 million toward a new clinic, equipment and supplies. The new health clinic will provide pharmacy services and exam and consult rooms for medical and behavioral health care. The new building even includes housing for some of the medical staff who work there.

USDA Rural Development is a partner who invests in keeping rural people healthy. Join us this National Rural Health Day on Thursday as we celebrate the power of rural.

You can learn more about our programs by visiting https://www.rd.usda.gov/ak.

Julia Hnilicka is the Alaska State Director for USDA Rural Development.

The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.