Arkansas Governor Announces $45 Million Maternal Health Initiative

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced the 'Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act,' aimed at improving maternal healthcare in Arkansas by investing over $45 million annually. Sponsored by State Senator Missy Irvin and Representative Aaron Pilkington, the legislation focuses on reforms such as presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women, reimbursement pathways for doulas and community health workers, and coverage for remote medical monitoring. It plans to unbundle Medicaid payments to cover up to 14 prenatal and postnatal visits, and significantly increase Medicaid reimbursements for deliveries, facilitating more healthcare provider participation. The act emerges from recommendations by the Governor’s Strategic Committee on Maternal Health and is designed to make lasting improvements in maternal health outcomes in Arkansas. However, it does not extend postpartum coverage for 12 months following birth, a point noted in discussions around the legislation.