Pulaski Times

The March of Dimes released a report in early September detailing maternity care access nationwide and found 35 percent of counties are maternity care deserts. This means there is limited or no access to services such as birthing hospitals and obstetric providers. According to the data, Arkansas is one of the states with the highest percentage of maternity care deserts, with more than half of its counties lacking access to these critical resources. Maternal health care is truly a crisis in the state and across the country.

Among medical providers, non-profit organizations, and elected leaders, there is a shared urgency to elevate maternal care in Arkansas.

In recent days, the Strategic Committee for Maternal Health, established by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to craft a statewide plan aimed at improving outcomes for mothers and babies, released its report recommending policies and program enhancements. These include improving access to care through telehealth and mobile units, establishing a school of midwifery, and expanding prenatal services in local health units.

"I am grateful for the governor’s leadership to improve outcomes for vulnerable moms and babies."

Efforts have been made this year to make positive changes by bringing experts together to discuss opportunities to better serve prenatal and postpartum needs in the state.

In February, a series of maternal health roundtables was initiated featuring meaningful discussions about the state of maternal health from a clinical perspective with medical professionals. To address outstanding healthcare disparities and work toward tangible solutions in the state, continued productive conversations are necessary.

A subsequent roundtable was held in Bentonville in August with a panel of experts discussing ongoing initiatives and potential solutions for improving maternal health outcomes by bolstering the workforce caring for these patients.

"This dialogue is essential to moving us in the right direction." In Northwest Arkansas discussions included creating a pathway for doula and community health worker reimbursement in Medicaid. The Strategic Committee for Maternal Health recommended that very course of action.

The committee also proposed applying for the Transforming Maternal Health federal grant. "I’m pleased to lead the Arkansas Congressional Delegation in supporting this request in writing to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Administrator so expecting moms can benefit from better care and newborns have a healthy start in life."

Federal investments are being championed to address maternal and infant health workforce shortages and enhance access to prenatal services in underserved areas of Arkansas.

A comprehensive approach consisting of public-private partnerships that collaborate and contribute different areas of experience and expertise is underway.

There is an emphasis on fostering coordination throughout different stages of pregnancy and postpartum care among various medical providers involved in maternal health space as essential steps towards improving health outcomes for mothers and infants across Natural State.

"We have a long way to go," but efforts continue at both state and federal levels aiming at supporting policies that can help save lives in Arkansas.