Wonks at Work
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An aging Arkansas populace means increased demands on our healthcare system and the need for a workforce that can provide long-term care and support. In this episode of our Wonks at Work podcast, we’re joined by Rachel Bunch, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association.

Arkansas is aging. By 2030, about 1 in 5 Arkansans will be 65 or older. Twenty years ago, that age group made up 14% of the state’s population. An aging populace requires an infrastructure that can accommodate increased demands on our healthcare system and a robust workforce that can provide the necessary long-term care and support. For an in-depth discussion on this topic, Rachel Bunch joins us on the Wonks at Work podcast. She’s executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association, which represents more than 90% of the licensed long-term care facilities in the state and recently announced plans to launch a new nursing school.

Our Podcast
Latest Episodes
Golden Years: Rachel BunchÂ
An aging Arkansas populace means increased demands on our healthcare system and the need for a workforce that can provide long-term care and support. In this episode of our Wonks at Work podcast, we’re joined by Rachel Bunch, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association.
Break on Through: Dr. Matt DenekeÂ
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can cause a wide range of health problems, from short-term infections to chronic and even life-threatening conditions. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we discuss hepatitis in Arkansas with Dr. Matt Deneke of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Law of the Land: Michelle KitchensÂ
With Arkansas’s latest legislative session at an end, we look back from a healthcare perspective in this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast with guest Michelle Kitchens, ACHI’s director of governmental affairs and community outreach.
Pass the Peas: Dan Spatz
Although agriculture is one of Arkansas’s leading industries, not everyone in the state has access to fresh, healthy food. Some Arkansas farmers are now working to change that. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we speak with Dan Spatz of Healthy Flavors Arkansas.
Redemption Song: Clay Hobbs
Hope, Arkansas, is a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when private equity groups take over local hospitals. It’s also a story of what a community can achieve when it comes together. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we speak with Clay Hobbs of Pafford Medical Services.
These Are the Reasons: Dr. Ted Brown
To better understand the opioid overdose epidemic, Arkansas has been taking a much closer look at overdose deaths. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we speak with the state’s chief medical examiner, Dr. Ted Brown.