ADG: For Moms’ Health, Improve Access to Affordable Care

As a fifth-generation Arkansan, I'm proud to live in a state that prioritizes the importance of family, and to raise my daughter in the same close-knit community that shaped me. From the tourism our unique and diverse landscapes attract, to our agricultural accomplishments, to being named one of the best places in the nation to found a startup outside Silicon Valley--we have a lot to be proud of.

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But as we celebrate these achievements, it is crucial to acknowledge an area where we fall short: maternal health care.

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As a pro-family state, the well-being of our mothers demands urgent attention. Supporting moms is pivotal to retaining current and future talents, fostering economic growth and making Arkansas a better place to live, work, and raise our families.

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In 2021, approximately one in every five babies in Arkansas was born to moms who didn't receive adequate prenatal care. A child's future starts in the womb, and when mothers are unable to receive quality health care during pregnancy, their children begin life at a disadvantage. Not getting the right support--from medical care to nutrition--early in life can diminish a child's educational and future economic outcome, and even erode our collective public safety.

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Read the entire op-ed in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette here.