LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – House Democrats in the state legislature are rolling out what they’re calling their bold agenda for the 2025 legislative session, placing all of the forthcoming bills under four main categories: maternal health, mental health, public education and defending democracy.
The minority party members from the House chamber held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to detail their agenda, which will begin Wednesday at the start of the bill filing period.
Arkansas legislators, others focus on welfare, Medicaid ahead of 2025 legislative session
On maternal health, Democrats told media they will work to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage for moms to up to 12 months after birth, invest in better recruiting and retaining OBGYNs and nurses, and repeal the state abortion ban in defense of victims of rape and incest.
Democrats also say they plan to address public education in Arkansas, partially pushing back on some policies passed last session under the Arkansas LEARNS Act, specifically the voucher program known as Education Freedom Accounts.