Arkansas’s Efforts To Improve Primary Care Access Cited as Models for Other States
An issue brief by the Milbank Memorial Fund and the National Academy for State Health Policy highlights several Arkansas initiatives as examples of policy options states can use to strengthen access to high-quality primary care.
HHS Expands Access to Catastrophic Health Insurance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released guidance expanding eligibility for Affordable Care Act catastrophic health insurance plans.
Costs of the No Suprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution Process
The dispute resolution process established by the No Surprises Act has resulted in billions of dollars in spending on administrative costs and payments for services, according to a new study.
Judge Partially Blocks Final Rule Affecting ACA Enrollment, Costs
On Friday, August 22, a federal judge temporarily blocked implementation of key provisions of a Trump administration rule that would impact enrollment and consumer costs in Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces.
CDC: Drug Overdose Deaths Dropped by 24% in Arkansas in 2024
Drug overdose deaths in Arkansas declined by 24% in 2024, reaching their lowest annual level since 2019, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CMS Pilot Program To Implement Prior Authorization Requirements in Medicare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced it will launch a pilot program to implement prior authorization requirements in Medicare for certain services.
Task Force Recommends Screening Women for Intimate Partner Violence
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended that healthcare professionals screen women of reproductive age for intimate partner violence, emphasizing that screenings should include women who are pregnant or postpartum.
Task Force Releases Draft Recommendation To Screen All Adults for Unhealthy Alcohol Use
Healthcare professionals should screen all adults for unhealthy alcohol use, according to a draft recommendation released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
