Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs executive order aiming to address maternal mortality in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order Wednesday morning that she said addresses the maternal mortality rate in the state.

Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, and critics have recently cited the state’s lack of 12-month post-natal Medicaid coverage as a possible contributor to this issue.

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Sanders pushed back on that claim during the Wednesday news conference announcing the executive order, saying that the state offered multiple services to help mothers at various stages of pregnancy but that more efforts could be made to educate and inform women of these options.

The executive order will establish the Arkansas Strategic Committee for Maternal Health, a statewide plan to improve education and access to health care available for women in the state.

The committee is comprised of officials from several state agencies including the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Surgeon General’s office.

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Under the executive order, pregnant and postpartum women in Arkansas will be enrolled in available healthcare options. The executive order will also develop an advertising and education campaign focused on promoting existing resources while also addressing possible improvements for maternal health.

Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam said that pregnant women in Arkansas are provided coverage up to 60 days postpartum. Instead of adding additional 10 months to postpartum coverage in the state, Putnam said that the state’s plan is focused on bringing awareness to the coverage before the 60-day period ends.

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The executive order will create a program targeting areas in the state with low rates of prenatal care. The counties are Phillips County, Crittenden County, Scott County, Garland County and Polk County. ADH Secretary Renee Mallory said that agency officials along with the Arkansas Surgeon General office will meet with these communities to discuss local maternal health resources and services.

Sanders said that the committee will provide an update on the efforts taken to address the state’s maternal mortality.

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