Maternal Health Care in Arkansas
Legislators and state officials continue to work on methods of improving maternal health care in Arkansas.
A special committee created by the governor last week issued its recommendations in a report called “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies.” It calls for making access to health care more clear and convenient for expectant mothers.
Legislators Approve Stronger Financial Penalties for Violations of Pharmacy Benefit Law
A legislative committee has signed off on stronger penalties against pharmacy benefit managers that fail to reimburse local drug stores according to rates established in state law.
DHS Promotes Availability of Services for People with Disabilities
The state has begun a new campaign to make people aware of the variety of Medicaid services for which they may be eligible, especially if someone in their family has a disability.
Legislators Putting Final Touches to School Funding Formula
The Senate and House Education Committees are close to finalizing next year’s school funding formula. They have worked all year on the formula, in order to comply with the mandate in the Arkansas Constitution that requires the state to provide all children with an adequate and equitable education.
Transportation Department Already Planning for Highway Improvements in 2027 and 2028
The Arkansas Department of Transportation estimates that in 2027 and 2028 about $2.2 billion of new projects will be added to its list of highway improvements.
Additional 3,000 Arkansas Families Apply for Education Freedom Accounts
More than 3,000 families applied for Education Freedom Accounts during the first week of August, bringing the total number of applicants statewide to 15,365.
State Helping Schools Restrict Students' Cell Phone Usage
As the 2024-2025 school year begins, the state Education Department is making grants available to Arkansas school districts to help implement cell phone restrictions in the classroom.
Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend
The Arkansas sales tax holiday this year will be on the first weekend in August, Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4. Consumers will not have to pay sales tax on any articles of clothing that cost less than $100.
Good News for Arkansas Taxpayers
The state Department of Finance and Administration has published new income tax withholding tables. That’s good news for 1.1 million Arkansas taxpayers, because it means they will take home more money on their next paycheck.
Legislators Consider Ideas to Hold Down Medicaid Costs
More than 870,000 Arkansas residents receive some type of health care through Medicaid, which is operated by the state Department of Human Services. The department has made public a variety of cost-cutting ideas and has been gathering input from people who would be affected by them. Stakeholders include physicians and clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, therapists, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities.