We are heartbroken to see HB1004, a bill to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, fail to get out of Senate committee today. Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. As we have traveled around the state, we have heard woman after woman share their stories of losing their Medicaid coverage after giving birth, some of them with tears flowing. HB 1004 would have ensured that after 60 days after giving birth, women who did not qualify for other Medicaid options would still receive Medicaid. Arkansas is the only state in the country that hasn’t expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage past 60 days. And today, the state chose to leave the system as it is. A system that, by the state’s own admission, results in hundreds of women losing care.

A social worker who cares for women with postpartum depression; the leader of a nonprofit serving pregnant and new moms; a woman whose friend died because she lost her Medicaid coverage; the director of a substance use treatment facility that works with pregnant and parenting women; a woman who lost coverage herself; all these women testified passionately in favor of the bill. But it failed in the Senate Public Health Committee.

We are grateful to the House for overwhelming passing the bill, the members of the Senate committee who voted for the bill, the bill sponsors Sen. Breanne Davis and Rep. Aaron Pilkington, the advocates who spoke in favor of the bill, and all of the women around the state who have bravely shared their story.

With one week left in the General Assembly’s legislative session, we hope that you will call your Senator and ask them to push for a vote on the full Senate floor. You can call 501-682-2902. Just tell the volunteer who answers the phone your name, address, and that you would like to leave a message for your Senator to push for consideration of HB1004.