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Bill

HB 1004

TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Breanne Davis and 1 co-sponsor

Arkansas bill extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year, but died in Senate committee without advancing.

Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1004

Legislative bill overview

HB 1004 would extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers from the current 60-day period to a full year following childbirth in Arkansas. The bill passed the House but died in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee during the 2025 legislative session without a vote.

Why is this important

Postpartum coverage gaps leave vulnerable mothers without access to critical healthcare during a high-risk period when maternal complications, mental health issues, and chronic disease management are most dangerous. Arkansas has among the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, making extended coverage a public health concern with measurable outcomes for mother and child welfare.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Extending coverage for approximately 30,000+ additional mothers annually carries significant Medicaid budget implications; unclear whether federal matching funds would offset state costs
  • Federal policy alignment: States have limited flexibility under current federal Medicaid rules; the bill's feasibility depends on federal waiver approval, which is uncertain under varying administrations
  • Implementation timeline: Creating systems to track and maintain 12-month eligibility requires administrative infrastructure that may take time and resources to establish

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

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