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Trump will name more conservative judges. He may even pick a majority of the Supreme Court; Both sides react as Missouri reverses near-total abortion ban Literacy initiative to implement 250 new early-education activations in PA.

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President Biden asks Americans to turn down the temperature, House Speaker Mike Johnson promises an aggressive first 100 day agenda and Democratic governors vow to push back on Trump's plan for mass deportations.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

Medicaid troubles continue for many AR residents

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Tuesday, August 20, 2024   

In preparation for the upcoming legislative session, workers at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families are interviewing Arkansans about their health coverage and finances.

The nonprofit advocates for families before state and national lawmakers.

Camille Richoux, health policy director for the group, said many residents are still dealing with the aftereffects of Medicaid "unwinding," when recipients lost their health insurance despite being eligible for continued coverage.

"We've encountered people who are having to choose between medications at the pharmacy," Richoux reported. "People who are saying, 'What's the most important prescription of all the prescriptions that I have that's gonna keep me alive?' And that has impacts on their long-term health."

She pointed out more than 270,000 adults and around 150,000 children lost coverage last year. Many people did not know they were uninsured until they tried to schedule doctor's appointments.

Advocates have been collecting the stories of Medicaid recipients for about six months. Richoux noted they have spoken to postpartum moms who can no longer receive care and unhoused residents who have not received paperwork because they do not have a permanent mailing address. She emphasized they try to represent people who sometimes feel like they don't have a voice.

"We think it's very important that the people who are impacted by Medicaid policy have a seat at the table and to be sure that their voices are heard," Richoux explained. "Part of this work is going around the state collecting those stories, sharing those with our leaders and administrators around the state."

Richoux added they will be monitoring the upcoming legislative session to ensure any changes to coverage will not have a negative effect on Medicaid recipients.


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