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SB 213

Relating to: a tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Felzkowski and 4 co-sponsors

The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act boosts maternal health in Arkansas by enhancing Medicaid coverage for prenatal, postpartum care, and mental health screenings for pregnant women.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 213

Summary of Senate Bill 213: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act

Bill Number: SB 213
Introduced: February 6, 2025
Status: Referred to HHS, JDC/WAM
Classification: Bill
Subject: Abortion Survivor, Infant Born Alive, Penalties

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 213, titled the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, aims to enhance maternal health services in Arkansas. The bill seeks to amend existing laws to improve access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care, as well as to establish new provisions for maternal health screenings and services.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant provisions:

  1. Depression Screening for Pregnant Women:

    • The Arkansas Medicaid Program will reimburse for depression screenings of pregnant women.
    • The Department of Human Services (DHS) is tasked with applying for necessary federal waivers to implement this provision.

  2. Coverage of Maternity Services:

    • Medicaid will reimburse for prenatal, delivery, and postpartum services separately, rather than through a global payment model.
    • Covered services include:
      • Office visits
      • Laboratory fees
      • Physician-ordered testing
      • Blood work
      • Remote monitoring
      • Fetal nonstress tests
      • Continuous glucose monitoring for gestational diabetes when medically necessary.

  3. Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women:

    • The Medicaid Program will allow presumptive eligibility determinations for pregnant women to facilitate immediate access to prenatal care while awaiting full application processing.

  4. Blood Pressure Monitoring:

    • Coverage for self-measurement blood pressure monitoring services for pregnant and postpartum women will be provided, including necessary devices and patient education.

  5. Remote Ultrasound Procedures:

    • Medicaid will reimburse for medically necessary remote ultrasound procedures conducted off-site, ensuring compliance with established standards of care.

  6. Community Health Workers and Doulas:

    • The bill includes provisions for reimbursement of services provided by doulas and community health workers related to prenatal and postpartum care.

  7. Implementation and Rules:

    • The DHS will apply for federal waivers and adopt rules necessary for the implementation of these provisions.

Impact

The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act is designed to improve maternal health outcomes by increasing access to essential health services for pregnant women in Arkansas. It aims to address mental health needs, enhance the quality of prenatal and postpartum care, and ensure that women receive timely medical attention during and after pregnancy.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 6, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time.
  • February 12, 2025: Passed in the Senate and transmitted to the House.
  • March 31, 2025: Passed in the House.
  • May 14, 2025: Signed by the Governor and became Act 300.
  • July 1, 2025: Effective date of the Act.

This legislation represents a significant step toward improving maternal health services in Arkansas, with a focus on comprehensive care and support for women during pregnancy and postpartum.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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