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White House is 'close' on Japan, India tariff agreements but expect them to be light on specifics; Families in limbo following federal energy assistance program cuts- we have reports from NH and MD; NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination.

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Educators worry about President Trump's education plan, as federal judges block several of his executive orders. Battles over voting rules are moving in numerous courts. And FSU students protest a state bill lowering the age to buy a gun.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

Bill to improve maternal care for AR families

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Monday, February 17, 2025   

A new bill before Arkansas lawmakers is designed to improve maternal care for low-income families.

If passed the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act would invest more than $45 million annually into programs for mothers and babies statewide.

Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Kay Chandler said the legislation would make prenatal care available to everyone.

"As soon as somebody knows they're pregnant, we want them to go to the doctor, make an appointment right away," said Chandler. "If they have a doctor - go to the doctor, OB-GYN, family doctor, wherever you go for prenatal care. But if you don't, you can go to the health department, your local health unit, and get free prenatal care and they can help you get established."

Proposals in the legislation were recommended by members of the Strategic Committee on Maternal Health that was formed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders.

Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation and the third highest infant mortality rate.

Other parts of the legislation include paying for up to 14 prenatal and post-natal care visits and expanding access to telemedicine.

Chandler said both doctors and patients would benefit from the changes.

"I hear doctors saying, 'We're having a hard time. We're struggling to be able to take care of women with the current way that the reimbursement in,'" said Chandler. "So, this reform -- the changes in the Medicaid payments, the increase, the unbundling, presumptive eligibility, even covering ultrasounds and blood sugar monitoring -- these are new and innovative things."

Medicaid covers about half of all births in Arkansas. Huckabee-Sanders has said she's confident the state will be able to receive federal funds to help support the changes.




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