Arkansas is home to one of the largest populations of Marshallese individuals in the world — people who were born in the Republic of the Marshall Islands but moved here for employment and to have a better life. They are free to travel, work, attend school and live in the United States under a Compact of Free Association that gives them special status under federal immigration policy. That unique status creates confusion when people born in the Marshall Islands seek health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. We have received many questions about Marshallese individuals’ eligibility for Medicaid, ARKids First, Medicare, and Marketplace-based insurance options.

Download this fact sheet to learn the answers to many of these common questions and concerns.