Denali Commission

Authorizing Legislation - Section 309 of Public Law 105-277.

Program Description and Accomplishments
The Denali Commission, an Agency of the Department of Commerce, which began in 2001, is modeled on the Appalachian Regional Commission and directed by Federal and State (Alaska) co-chairs. Its core mission is economic development in rural Alaska. The $39,283,000 appropriated to HRSA for the Commission in FY 2007 was combined with other resources for planning, designing and constructing primary health care facilities in the State. Resources were also used to assist other facilities, such as hospitals and facilities that provide mental health services.

This program was covered in OMB’s combined PART assessment of HRSA’s Rural Health Activities during 2003. The rural health activities received a rating of Adequate. (See earlier Office of Rural Health Policy Summary Request.)

Funding includes costs associated with grant reviews, processing of grants through the Grants Administration Tracking and Evaluation System (GATES) and HRSA’s electronic handbook, and follow-up performance reviews.

Funding History

Budget Request
There is no FY 2009 request for this program. The needs in this region can best be met by other existing programs, such as the Health Center program which can better address the health system delivery problems in Alaska.