In 2021 the legislature approved Act 626, making Arkansas the first state in the nation to prohibit physicians from performing gender transition procedures on minors. Since then at least 19 other states have enacted similar laws to prohibit procedures such as hormone therapy and surgery for adolescents under 18 who wish to change their genders.
Senate News
Legislature and DHS Working on New Rates for Medicaid Enrollees in Assisted Living Facilities
The secretary of Human Services told lawmakers that the Arkansas Medicaid program would continue to reimburse assisted living facilities at the higher rate they were getting during the Covid-19 pandemic, at least until November. Meanwhile, the Department of Human Services (DHS) continues to review the entire Medicaid system, and will recommend methods of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program.
Arkansas Asks Federal Government for Changes to ARHOME Program
The Arkansas Human Services Department has officially petitioned the federal government for authority to make changes in the Medicaid expansion program.
Workforce Services Division Closing Nine Offices
The Division of Workforce Services will close nine offices around the state as of a restructuring of offices that administer welfare programs.