A proposal to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage in Arkansas from 60 days to 12 months failed to advance out of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday. House Bill 1004, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R-Russellville), aimed to help women who lose coverage after 60 days and don't qualify for the state’s ARHOME Medicaid expansion program.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders opposed the measure, calling it "duplicative" and suggesting that better outreach about existing programs is needed instead. Davis argued the bill was narrowly tailored to address a specific coverage gap for postpartum women falling through the cracks.
Pilkington noted this was a revised version of a similar bill he filed two years ago, designed to address past concerns about cost and duplication. Despite some support in committee, the bill did not receive enough votes to advance.
Sen. Breanne Davis: "They actually fall through the cracks because they're not eligible to enter into ARHOME for coverage."