To improve maternity care in the state, Arkansas introduces the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act

Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the “Healthy Moms, Health Babies Act” on Thursday at the Arkansas State Capitol. The project aims to improve maternal health across the Natural State.

The Healthy Moms, Health Babies Act’s primary co-sponsors, Sen. Missy Irvin (District 24) and Rep. Aaron Pilkington (District 45), are leading the charge on the initiative, which the governor stated she thinks will bring about a “real, lasting change.”

At the press conference on Thursday, Governor Sanders stated, “My administration has been focused on building a comprehensive, coordinated approach to maternal health in Arkansas because I am a mother and I know how important maternal healthcare is to helping healthy moms have healthy babies.” “The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act will significantly improve maternal health in Arkansas and address this pressing issue, in addition to the steps we have taken since I took office.”

The governor claims that the bill will incorporate a number of changes suggested by the Strategic Committee on Maternal Health, which she established last year.

According to a news release issued by the governor, the Healthy Moms, Health Babies Act will seek to create “presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women, meaning pregnant women can receive prenatal care while they complete their Medicaid application.” It would also provide community health workers and doulas with reimbursement pathways.

Arkansas Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary for Programs and State Medicaid Director Janet Mann stated, “Investing in changes that expand and improve maternal care within the Medicaid program will have profoundly positive impacts on our state, as Medicaid covers approximately half of all births in Arkansas.” “We look forward to implementing these reforms, which directly align with the Strategic Committee for Maternal Health’s recommendations.”

In addition, the governor told the audience at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday that the legislation will seek to create pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage that women can use for continuous glucose monitoring, remote blood pressure monitoring, and remote ultrasounds.
Lawmakers said that these reforms will result in a “additional $7.44 million investment in Arkansas moms.”

The governor claims that this act “unbundles Medicaid payments for pregnancy care,” which is a crucial component. Up to 14 prenatal and postnatal care visits would be covered, which is something Gov. Sanders hopes will motivate healthcare professionals to treat expectant patients, who may then be motivated to attend more consultations as a result of the ease of access.

The governor said this work would add $12.2 million to Medicaid’s investment in pregnant women. She additionally stated that Medicaid would “increase reimbursements for deliveries and c-sections by 70%, investing an additional $25.7 million in care for pregnant women and encouraging more providers to participate in the Medicaid program, increasing access to care.”

On Thursday, lawmakers at the Arkansas State Capitol announced that the $13 million maternal health commitment that Governor Sanders had in her budget will help finance these improvements.