Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

Healthcare providers and insurers in Arkansas face uncertainty about how to resolve payment disputes after a federal appeals court ruling related to the No Surprises Act. ACHI’s Jennifer Wessel explores the issue on our blog.

Court Strikes Down Rules on Healthcare Billing Dispute Resolution - ACHI Healthcare providers and insurers face uncertainty about how to resolve payment disputes after a court ruling invalidated certain regulations implementing the No Surprises Act.

Most postpartum mothers in Arkansas who experience an acute mental health or other behavioral health event requiring an ER visit or inpatient stay do not have a recommended follow-up visit. ACHI’s Dr. Joe Thompson discussed our analysis with KUAF 91.3 Public Radio.

ACHI President Discusses Lack of Follow-Up Care for Postpartum Mothers After Behavioral Health Events - ACHI Fayetteville-based public radio station KUAF interviews ACHI president and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson about our findings on maternal behavioral health in Arkansas.

In the latest ACHI Weekly Roundup:
• Most postpartum Arkansas mothers have no follow-up visit after an acute behavioral health event.
• Arkansas's infant mortality rate is the third-highest in the nation.
• Back-to-school road safety tips.
• A chat with UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Milk Bank Program Director Tyler Faircloth.
• And more!

Most postpartum moms in AR don’t have follow-up visit after behavioral health event

Arkansas has the third-highest infant mortality rate in the nation, new CDC data show. The agency also reports that the national infant mortality rate rose in 2022 for the first time in 20 years. We dig into these troubling statistics on our blog.

Arkansas Has Nation’s Third-Highest Infant Mortality Rate; U.S. Rate Rises for First Time in 20 Years - ACHI Arkansas Has Nation’s Third-Highest Infant Mortality Rate; U.S. Rate Rises for First Time in 20 Years

"Among [Arkansas's] 75 counties, it has only 36 licensed labor and delivery providers, one of which is not providing services as it tries to recruit a physician, said Dr. Joe Thompson, president and CEO of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement."

Doula Alliance of Arkansas
Balanced Mama

Alliance forms with $250,000 Walton gift to support doulas, seek coverage - Talk Business & Politics A newly formed group will seek Medicaid and other insurance coverage for doulas, who provide nonmedical support for women going through pregnancy and the birthing process. The Doula Alliance of...

The Batesville Daily Guard reports on our findings on maternal behavioral health in Arkansas. See our infographic here: bit.ly/3WUUZwm

STUDY: Most new moms have no follow-up behavioral health visit More than half of postpartum mothers in Arkansas who experience an acute mental health or other behavioral health event requiring an emergency room visit or inpatient stay do not have

Our director of external relations, Sandra McGrew, recently spoke at CDI Central on establishing an effective media relations strategy, using ACHI's media outreach efforts as examples.

University of Central Arkansas

Come work with us! We now have three positions available: senior data analyst, intermediate data analyst, and intermediate project manager. Get details and apply: bit.ly/2IynyJ4

When temperatures are high, so is the risk of hot car deaths. Our blog post from June discusses what you need to know.

Rising Temperatures Increase Risk of Hot Car Deaths - ACHI As temperatures rise with the approach of summer, a reminder of the risks of extreme heat to children is in order, particularly the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot vehicles.

Over 50% of postpartum mothers in Arkansas who experience an acute mental health or other behavioral health event requiring an emergency room visit or inpatient stay do not have a follow-up outpatient visit, our new analysis finds.

Most Postpartum Moms in Arkansas Have No Follow-Up Visit After an Acute Behavioral Health Event, ACHI Analysis Finds - ACHI More than half of postpartum mothers in Arkansas who experience an acute mental health or other behavioral health event requiring an emergency room visit or inpatient stay do not have a follow-up outpatient visit, a new analysis by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement finds.

August 1-7 is . In the latest episode of "Wonks at Work," UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Milk Bank Program Director Tyler Faircloth joins host Craig Wilson to discuss how the bank is helping families for whom breastfeeding is not an option.

Sweetest Devotion: Tyler Faircloth - ACHI Arkansas mothers unable to breastfeed now have a new alternative. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we learn about the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Milk Bank from Program Director Tyler Faircloth.

We're hiring! ACHI has openings for a project manager and a data analyst. Get details and apply: bit.ly/2IynyJ4

Classes will soon resume across Arkansas. That means more students walking or biking to school. Here are a few tips for students and drivers alike to help ensure everyone gets where they're going safely.

Pedestrian, Bicycle Safety Tips To Protect Kids - ACHI As a new school year approaches, it is a good time to review some principles of pedestrian and bicycle safety.

In the latest ACHI Weekly Roundup:
• Getting kids' vaccines up to date for school.
• Understanding heat risk.
• Arkansans could face higher marketplace health plan premiums.
• A chat with UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Milk Bank Program Director Tyler Faircloth.
• ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson discusses maternal health on Arkansas PBS' "Arkansas Week."
• ACHI to begin reviewing fellowship applications Monday.

How to stay safe in extreme summer heat; getting kids’ vaccines up to date for school

In hot weather like Arkansas is experiencing now, meteorologists often refer to the heat index—what the heat feels like when the effect of humidity is factored in. For more on how heat and humidity impact your body, see our blog post: bit.ly/3YsJHAF

Breastfeeding is good for babies' health, but not all mothers can do it. In a new episode of our "Wonks at Work" podcast, UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Milk Bank Program Director Tyler Faircloth joins host Craig Wilson to discuss how the milk bank is supporting infant health in Arkansas.

Sweetest Devotion: Tyler Faircloth - ACHI Arkansas mothers unable to breastfeed now have a new alternative. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we learn about the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Milk Bank from Program Director Tyler Faircloth.

Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S. We have tips for avoiding heat-related illnesses on our blog.

Tips for Avoiding Heat-Related Illnesses - ACHI Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., so it’s important to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

Nearly half of U.S. seniors don't know the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage, a new poll finds. For a discussion of how they differ, see our explainer: shorturl.at/41zak

Nearly half of beneficiaries don't know the difference between Medicare and MA: survey The U.S. healthcare system remains complex and inaccessible, leaving many seniors feeling uninformed, according to a new survey from digital health company DUOS. | Seniors are growing more comfortable with technology, but many still don't understand key differences between major health programs.

ACHI Policy Analyst Elizabeth Montgomery took part in a meeting at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute this week to develop the Arkansas Chronic Disease Coordinating Council’s 10-year plan. Montgomery is chair of the council, which seeks to reduce the burden of chronic disease in our state.

Arkansas Department of Health

ACHI Health Policy Director Craig Wilson is among those interviewed by the Arkansas Advocate for this story highlighting healthcare access issues faced by income-constrained, working Arkansans.

Health care resources limited for income-constrained, working Arkansans, especially in rural areas • Arkansas Advocate Unexpected medical expenses can lead to medical debt, which is “more concentrated in the South and among residents of low-income ZIP codes,” the Urban Institute reported in 2022.

2023 was a record year for heat, and 2024 is likely headed for the record books too. A new post on our blog looks at how heat impacts the body and how to get up-to-date information on heat risk levels where you live.

Understanding Heat Risk - ACHI In times of extreme heat, it’s important to know how heat impacts the body and where to get up-to-date information on heat risk levels where you live.

In rural areas where maternal care is in short supply, doulas can help fill gaps, KFF Health News reports. See our explainer for more on doulas and the birthing journey: shorturl.at/KIDLF

Maternity Care in Rural Areas Is in Crisis. Can More Doulas Help? - KFF Health News Rural communities are losing access to maternity care, raising the risk of pregnancy complications, especially for Black women, who face higher rates of maternal mortality. Now, a Georgia medical school is trying to help by training doulas, practitioners who offer patients extra support before, duri...

TODAY (July 30) is the deadline to submit applications for the Delta Innovator Search. Solutions could include new goods or products, scientific or technical innovations, services, business models, financial strategies, or projects to support resilient economic growth and contribute to better health outcomes for Delta residents.

Learn more and apply at: https://ruralinnovationalliance.org/delta-innovator-search/

A new KFF analysis finds that health insurance premium payments for Arkansans buying coverage through the health insurance marketplace could increase by 84% if Congress allows enhanced subsidies to expire next year. ACHI Health Policy Director Craig Wilson has details on our blog.

Marketplace Health Insurance Premium Costs to Arkansas Consumers Could Jump 84% if Enhanced Subsidies Expire - ACHI Arkansas consumers could see higher premiums on marketplace health plans.

Only ONE DAY remains to submit your new ideas and solutions to the Delta Innovator Search. On top of awards up to $20k to support projects, the search is an integral next step in an initiative to fuel healthier, thriving communities in the .

Learn more and apply by July 30 at: https://ruralinnovationalliance.org/delta-innovator-search/

ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson appeared on the latest episode of Arkansas PBS' "Arkansas Week" with host Dawn Scott to discuss maternal health in Arkansas.

ACHI President Discusses Maternal Health on ‘Arkansas Week’ - ACHI ACHI President Dr. Joe Thompson discusses maternal health in Arkansas.

Tune in to "Arkansas Week" on Arkansas PBS tonight at 7:30 or Sunday at 10 a.m. to see ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson discuss the state of maternal health in Arkansas.

With a new school year starting soon, it's important to make sure children’s vaccines are up to date. ACHI Policy Analyst Elizabeth Montgomery has what parents need to know on our blog.

Make Sure Kids’ Vaccines Are Up to Date - ACHI With a new school year starting, it is important to ensure that children’s vaccines are up to date.