John Lyon

"Support of doulas, enhanced reimbursement for services during the birthing journey, and presumptive Medicaid eligibility offer promise for improved access, less delay or disruption of care, and improved outcomes,” -ACHI's @J_Craig_Wilson arkansasonline.com/news/2025/feb/…

In our newsletter: @SarahHuckabee announces plan to improve #MaternalHealth; a look at other health-related bills; maternal #BehavioralHealth events in the #BirthingJourney; ACHI names new research fellow; new resource aims to aid #diabetes research in AR. bit.ly/4hIbnrA

To aid researchers studying the health and financial impacts of #diabetes, ACHI has created the Diabetes Analytic Data Mart, a new resource made possible by the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative. achi.net/newsroom/new-d…

In addition to doulas, the pathway for reimbursement proposed by Gov. @SarahHuckabee @ARSenMissyIrvin & @pilkingtonforar in SB213 includes community health workers to help support moms in rural or undeserved communities. Here's more on the work they do: achi.net/wp-content/upl…

Arkansas Gov. @SarahHuckabee announced the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act today to improve maternal health outcomes. It includes presumptive Medicaid eligibility, increased reimbursements & more. Bill sponsored by Sen. Missy Irvin & @pilkingtonforar: arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocume…

Gov. @SarahHuckabee said the state will also increase Medicaid reimbursements for deliveries, which could help stabilize rural labor and delivery units. ACHI's @J_Craig_Wilson highlighted the risks they face in a column for @RobyBrock: talkbusiness.net/2024/06/loss-o…

We're hiring! ACHI has openings for a business systems developer and a policy analyst. Get details and apply: bit.ly/4g2NqKg

Gov. @SarahHuckabee and some legislators want to make school breakfasts free to all public school students. Free school meals can help reduce #FoodInsecurity, especially in #FoodDeserts. For more, see our food deserts explainer: bit.ly/40N8AGF arkansasonline.com/news/2025/feb/…

Since 2017, the average monthly premium for marketplace health plans in Arkansas has been lower than in any of the surrounding states. See our infographic for more. #HealthcareCosts achi.net/publications/d…

How long can you hold a plank? We've started a daily #planking challenge to gear up for the Blue & You Fitness Challenge, which kicks off March 1. #BYFC2025 @ArkBlueCross

A legislative panel has advanced a bill to require AR public schools to ban cellphones for students from "bell to bell." For information on how social media use and excessive #ScreenTime impact #YouthMentalHealth, see our website: bit.ly/3tYGQCT arkansasonline.com/news/2025/feb/…

#MaternalHealth is a major focus of the current AR legislative session. Last May, Dr. Maria Rodriguez-Alcala, director for health and wellness at @HeartlandFwd, joined #WonksAtWork to discuss the economic case for investing in maternal health. #arleg #arpx achi.net/wonksatwork/ma…

More than 1 in 5 adolescents in the U.S. had a diagnosed #MentalHealth or #BehavioralHealth condition in 2023. See more about the state of #YouthMentalHealth on our blog. achi.net/newsroom/surve…

ACHI's @J_Craig_Wilson will be the featured guest speaker this Friday at @ftsmithchamber's First Friday Breakfast. Details on how to register are available here: bit.ly/3CAWc4z

HB1316 would require health plans in Arkansas to provide coverage for lung cancer screenings. ACHI's @J_Craig_Wilson recently discussed challenges & new treatments for lung cancer with Dr. Matthew Steliga of @uamshealth on the Wonks at Work podcast: achi.net/wonksatwork/ma…

Last week at the Arkansas State Capitol, AIM Executive Director Ashley Bearden Campbell hosted a legislative luncheon highlighting the importance of maternal health this session, as well as recognizing some of the legislative leaders on these critical issues.

In our newsletter: What happens if enhanced premium subsidies for ACA marketplace insurance expire; bill would ban personal electronic devices in AR public schools; report notes gains in access to #TobaccoCessation services in AR; AR ranked 48th in health. shorturl.at/xr3zH

The 2024 America’s Health Rankings report by @UnitedHealthGrp ranks Arkansas as the 48th healthiest state in the nation, the same position the state held in the past three years’ reports. ACHI Policy Analyst @izwhittington takes a closer look on our blog. achi.net/newsroom/arkan…

Using data from the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative’s All-Payer Claims Database, ACHI found that undesirable medical and jail-related events decreased after a stay at a crisis stabilization unit. Read our report here. shorturl.at/W23qg 2/2

HB 1332 filed by @pilkingtonforar would require the Arkansas Medicaid program to cover GLP-1 medications when prescribed for weight loss. For background on these drugs, how they work & issues around their cost, explore ACHI's 6 part series on our blog: achi.net/newsroom/weigh…