All States Except Arkansas Expand Postpartum Medicaid

Maternal health advocates are urging for continuous health coverage for women for a year post-birth, a practice not currently upheld in Arkansas. The state has been highlighted for its inadequate support, as exemplified by the experience of a new mother, who faced abrupt changes to her health plan after giving birth to twins. This transition left her without access to her primary care doctor and required referrals for necessary surgeries, illustrating the challenges many women encounter in the state's healthcare system. Health experts emphasize that new mothers should not be subjected to frequent changes in their health plans or left uninsured while managing their own health and that of their newborns. Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, prompting Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to establish a committee aimed at addressing these alarming statistics. The committee is tasked with developing strategies to improve maternal health outcomes in the state. Governor Sanders has expressed skepticism about creating redundant programs, suggesting that a more effective approach is needed to tackle the underlying issues. Currently, Medicaid covers over half of all births in Arkansas, with a significant percentage of women experiencing gaps in insurance before and after childbirth. The final recommendations from the governor's committee are anticipated to be released in September, as advocates and health professionals await concrete solutions to enhance maternal health care in Arkansas.