LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An Arkansas law that is set to take effect next month is promising to help improve rural health disparities. Act 435, The Community Health Workers Act does two things:
- Creates a certification system for community health workers
- Requires the state Medicaid program and some private insurance to reimburse community health workers for their service.
Advocates say this will strengthen Arkansas’ ability to close the disheartening gaps we face in accessible care.
“Everybody recognizes the situation at hand,” Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, co-sponsor of the bill, says.
The Community Health Worker Act, which drew bipartisan support in the Arkansas Legislature, is designed to path holes in the system…