02-04-2025
Bill to extend Medicaid post-partum care to 12 months passes Arkansas House, heads for Senate
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas House passed a bill on Monday that would extend post-partum care for Medicaid recipients if it becomes law.
House Bill 1004 would extend the coverage from the current six months to 12 months. It passed with a bipartisan 71-10 vote, with 19 either not voting or voting present.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 'Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act' into law
The bill would provide extended coverage using funding from the Medicare and Medicaid Services Children's Health Insurance Program.
The bill has been transmitted to the Senate, where it has received its initial votes and been forwarded to the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee for hearing.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has opposed extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months. The Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act, signed into law by the governor on Feb. 20, changes and streamlines the Medicaid maternal care process but does not extend coverage.
Arkansas earns an 'F' on March of Dimes report card for infant, maternal health
In November 2024, Arkansas received an 'F' from the March of Dimes for infant and maternal health. According to Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health, the state leads the nation in its maternal mortality rate.
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