Legislative health fair scheduled Feb. 4 in Juneau; low-cost lab packages, including $45 chemistry screen

Senators announced on Jan. 29 that the annual legislative health fair will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon on the second floor gym of the Terry Miller Building in Juneau. The fair is open to legislators and members of the public age 18 and older, with legislators given scheduling priority.

Senator Kiehl, who described himself as a sponsor of the fair along with Representative Genevieve Mina, said the event offers a variety of low-cost lab tests. The chemistry screen, which includes a complete blood count and a lipid panel, is offered at the fair for $45; the senator said the same tests would cost about $100 in a hospital laboratory. The fair also offers A1c testing that reflects average blood glucose over the prior three months, and packaged women's and men's wellness screens. Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, check or cash.

Health considerations announced on the floor: - A 10-hour fast is recommended before certain chemistry packages (the speaker advised drinking plenty of water and that black coffee without calories is allowed). - There will be snacks and juice available after testing. - Attendees will have the option on the requisition form to make a donation to support the Alaska Health Fair, a nonprofit with offices in Anchorage and Fairbanks that provides low-cost testing year-round.

Why it matters: Senate floor remarks emphasized that the health fair provides affordable screening services for Alaskans who may otherwise forgo routine monitoring due to cost. No formal action, funding or legislative endorsement was recorded on the floor beyond the announcement.

Next steps: The health fair is scheduled for Feb. 4; members of the public may attend and pay at the fair or donate to support the nonprofit that runs it.