AIM's Candidate Maternal Health Survey
What State Candidates are Saying About Maternal Health Issues
Where Arkansas Candidates Stand on Maternal Health
100% of candidate respondents said they...
"believe the state's high maternal mortality rates should be one of Arkansas' top policy priorities for 2025"
"would introduce or support any maternal health legislation that would improve the lives of Arkansas' mothers and babies"
"would support policies aimed at increasing the number of obstetricians, certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and family physicians in underserved areas"
"would support initiatives to increase the role of CNMs/CMs in providing maternal care, particularly in underserved areas"
"would support initiatives to expand access to trained and certified doulas for expectant mothers, particularly for low-income and rural populations, as a way to improve maternal outcomes"
"believe insufficient to care in rural areas in Arkansas needs to change"
"would support policies that provide mothers with access to mental health services during pregnancy and postpartum"
Diving Deeper
What actions would you support to address the maternity care desert crisis in Arkansas to ensure every expectant mother has access to quality care, especially in rural areas?
"More midwives." - Rep. Steve Unger, District 19
"We need support rural hospitals and clinics..."
-Candidate Billy Cook, District 19
"Expansion o telehealth services and provider reimbursements for providing telegraphy services, incentives (student loand repayment, bonuses etc)
for providers willing to work in underserved areas..." - Rep. Ashly Hudson, District 75
How would you work to ensure that Medicaid coverage expansion to 12 months postpartum passes under the current administration?
"Working with those across the aisle as well as educating the public on the need, so that they would reach out their (R) representatives with the desire to pass such legislation."
- Candidate David McPherson, District 7
"I would attempt to find legislators across the aisle and help them introduce the bill, lobby for the bill, caucus members to approach others members with facts behind why the legislature should pass this law. Bring experts and people with personal stories to testify at committee hearings." - Candidate Kate Schaffer, District 10
