Number of uninsured Arkansans decreased in 2022; discussing impacts of social media on AR youth

As concerns grow about the role social media plays in the mental health and development of our youth, Congress, the courts, and several states — including Arkansas — are delving into this issue. The U.S. surgeon general has even called for warning labels on social media platforms. In the latest episode of our Wonks at Work podcast, we learn more about the impacts of social media on Arkansas youth with Dr. Tiffany Howell, a pediatric psychologist at Arkansas Children's Hospital. For more on social media and youth mental health, visit our topic page.

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In the News

Most postpartum mothers in Arkansas who experience an acute mental health or other behavioral health event requiring an emergency room visit or inpatient stay do not have a follow-up outpatient visit, an ACHI analysis finds. KUAF 91.3 Public Radio in Northwest Arkansas recently interviewed ACHI President and CEO Joseph W. Thompson, MD, MPH about our analysis, which included findings for the state as a whole and for the Northwest Arkansas region.?

For more about maternal and infant health in Arkansas, visit our topic page.

From Our Blog

The number of uninsured Arkansans decreased by nearly 25,000 from 2021 to 2022, but significant disparities in uninsured rates exist between counties, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Six counties in the state even experienced increases, the largest of which was a 16% rise in the uninsured rate. ACHI Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer Wessel has more details on our blog.

Groundbreaking Research

ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson presented preliminary findings from our study of Arkansas’s medical marijuana program during a meeting with lawmakers at the state Capitol on Wednesday. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health , is a first-of-its-kind population health analysis of medical marijuana, combining eligible consumers’ purchase information with insurance claims records and other data to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of marijuana utilization on consumers’ medical care.

A Closer Look

Healthcare providers and insurers in Arkansas and nationwide face uncertainty about how to resolve payment disputes after a federal appeals court affirmed a lower court’s decision to invalidate certain regulations implementing the No Surprises Act. The law shields patients from surprise medical bills and establishes an independent process for resolving disputes when insurers and providers cannot agree on payment amounts for out-of-network services. ACHI Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer Wessel takes a closer look on our blog.

Back to School

With students returning to school this week, it’s important for parents to make sure their children’s vaccines are up to date to reduce the spread of preventable illnesses. ACHI Policy Analyst Elizabeth (Izzy) Montgomery discusses on our blog what parents of children of all ages need to know.

See also our blog post with back-to-school safety tips for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep students safe while they are traveling to and from school.

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Dr. Joe Thompson, ACHI president and CEO