Arkansas health

The fact measures residents under 65 without health insurance. Insurance eligibility, enrollment, coverage continuity and premium assistance concern the covered population. Provider payments and covered services alone do not establish a coverage change, and Medicare-only changes mostly concern a different age population. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Arkansas evidence context: People under 65 without health insurance. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

403.Medicaid eligibility determinations (a)State flexibility To use contractors To make eligibility determinations on behalf of StateSection 1902(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(5)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , but such determinations of eligibility may be made, at the option of a State, under a contract with another State or local agency or a contractor so long as the contract does not provide incentives for the agency or contractor to delay eligibility determinations or to deny eligibility for individuals otherwise eligible for medical assistance. (b)Frequency of eligibility redeterminationsSection 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (L)Frequency of eligibility redeterminationsBeginning on October 1, 2026, and notwithstanding subparagraph (H), in the case of an individual whose eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan under this title (or a waiver of such plan) is determined based on the application of modified adjusted gross income under subparagraph (A) and who is so eligible on the basis of clause (i)(VIII), (ii)(XX), or (ii)(XXIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A), at the option of the State, the State plan may provide that the individual’s eligibility shall be redetermined every 6 months (or such shorter number of months as the State may elect)..

The fact measures residents under 65 without health insurance. Insurance eligibility, enrollment, coverage continuity and premium assistance concern the covered population. Provider payments and covered services alone do not establish a coverage change, and Medicare-only changes mostly concern a different age population. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Arkansas evidence context: People under 65 without health insurance. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

SECTION 1. Arkansas Code § 14-1-110 is amended to read as follows: 14-1-110. Coverage for eligible police officer and firefighter retirees — Definitions. (a) As used in this section: (1) "County" means any county in this state; (2) "Dependent" means a participant or […] eligible retiree's: (A) Natural child, stepchild, or adopted child who is eligible for coverage under a plan of an eligible […] retiree; and (B) Spouse who is eligible for coverage under a plan of an eligible […] retiree; (3) "Eligible firefighter retiree" means a firefighter who is: (A) Employed as a firefighter; (B)(i) Eligible to retire with full retirement benefits under: (a) The Arkansas Local Police and Fire HB1313 2 01/29/2025 12:57:34 PM ANS126 Retirement System under § 24-10-101 et seq.; (b) A municipal or county retirement benefit system or plan for employees; (c) A local firemen's relief and pension fund under § 24-11-801 et seq.; or (d) The Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System under § 24-4-101 et seq. (ii) As used in this subdivision (a)(3)(B), “eligible to retire with full retirement benefits” means a firefighter who is: (a) Any age with twenty-eight (28) years of credited service; (b) At least fifty-five (55) years of age and has at least twenty (20) years of credited service; (c) At least sixty (60) years of age and has at least five (5) years of credited service; or (d) At least sixty (60) years of age and has at least ten (10) years of actual Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System service credit; and (C) Not eligible for Medicare enrollment; (4) "Eligible retiree" means an eligible police officer retiree or an eligible firefighter retiree; (5) "Eligible police officer retiree" means a police officer who is: (A) Employed as a police officer; (B)(i) Eligible to retire with full retirement benefits under: (a) The Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System under § 24-10-101 et seq.; (b) Any municipal or county retirement benefit system or plan for employees; (c) Any local policemen's pension and relief fund under § 24-11-101 et seq.; or (d) The Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System under § 24-4-101 et seq. (ii) As used in this subdivision (a)(3)(B) HB1313 3 01/29/2025 12:57:34 PM ANS126 subdivision (a)(5)(B), "eligible to retire with full retirement benefits" means a police officer who is: (a) Any age with twenty-eight (28) years of credited service; (b) At least fifty-five (55) years of age and has at least twenty (20) years of credited service; (c) At least sixty (60) years of age and has at least five (5) years of credited service; or (d) At least sixty (60) years of age and has at least ten (10) years of actual Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System service credit; and (C) Not eligible for Medicare enrollment; (6) "Firefighter" means a full-time or part-time paid member of a fire department or firefighting unit who: (A) Actively engages in fire suppression, rescue, pump operation, or other firefighting activity; and (B) Receives more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) in total compensation during the taxable year from the fire department or firefighting unit that the firefighter serves; (4)(7) "Health benefit plan" means a plan for health benefits offered by a municipality or county; (5)(8) "Municipality" means: (A) A city of the first class; (B) A city of the second class; or (C) An incorporated town; and (6)(9) "Police officer" means: (A) Any law enforcement officer engaged in official duty who is a member of any regular or auxiliary police force of a municipality or county on a full-time or part-time basis; (B) A sheriff or deputy sheriff of a county who is engaged in official duty; or (C) A constable or night marshal of a municipality engaged in official duty. (b)(1)(A) An eligible […] retiree may elect to participate in a health benefit plan after retirement. (B) The eligible […] retiree is eligible under HB1313 4 01/29/2025 12:57:34 PM ANS126 subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section until the eligible […] retiree is a Medicare-eligible person. (C)(i) An eligible […] retiree shall have a guaranteed issue period of sixty (60) calendar days from the date of retirement to enroll in the health benefit plan. (ii) If the eligible […] retiree does not elect to participate or declines to participate in the health benefit plan upon the expiration of sixty (60) calendar days under subdivision (b)(1)(C)(i) of this section, the eligible […] retiree has no further privileges under the health benefit plan. (2) An eligible […] retiree who elects to participate in the health benefit plan shall pay a premium as determined by the municipality or county or the cost of the policy issued to the eligible […] retiree. (3) The eligible […] retiree portion of the premium shall be deducted from a bank account of the eligible […] retiree participant, to be paid by a monthly bank draft on the date designated by the municipality or county. (c) A dependent […] is eligible to participate in the health benefit plan. (d) An eligible […] retiree shall not be charged a surcharge or assessment to enroll in the health benefit plan. (e)(1) If an eligible […] retiree dies and has covered dependents at the time of death, the dependents have the right to continue to participate in the health benefit plan through the municipality or county. (2) Dependent children of a deceased eligible […] retiree may continue to participate in the health benefit plan until marriage or until the maximum age limit for a dependent child has been reached. (3) A surviving spouse of a deceased eligible police officer retiree or eligible firefighter retiree may continue to participate in the health benefit plan. (4) If a surviving spouse or dependent of a deceased eligible […] retiree declines to participate in the health benefit plan or cancels existing participation, then the surviving spouse or dependent has no further privileges under the health benefit plan.

The fact counts Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries in current-payment status. Benefit administration concerns a component of that population; SSI, Medicare, and state pensions are separate programs. The outreach concerns the Title II disability component of OASDI; the separately covered SSI population is outside this fact. It does not increase benefit amounts or cover every retiree. This connection does not establish causation or a change in the earlier measured value.

Retained Arkansas evidence context: Social Security beneficiaries. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

2.Ticket to work program advertisementSection 1148(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–19(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(8)Program advertisementNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and for each 6-month period thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Security shall disseminate to each disabled beneficiary information relating to participation in the Program..

The fact counts induced abortions reported as occurring in Arkansas in 2024, regardless of patient residence. It excludes abortions obtained by Arkansas residents outside the state. Regulation or reporting concerns these occurrences without establishing the effect of a particular policy. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Arkansas evidence context: Reported induced abortions occurring in Arkansas. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

5-61-103. Coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud. (a) As used in this section: (1) "Abortion" means a chemical abortion as defined in § 20-16-26 2502; and (2)(A) "Abortion-inducing drug" means a medicine, drug, combination of drugs or chemicals, or any other substance used with the intent of causing an abortion including without limitation off-label use of drugs known to have abortion-inducing properties, such as mifepristone, RU-31 486, Mifeprex, Cytotec, misoprostol, and methotrexate. (B) "Abortion-inducing drug" does not include: (i) Drugs that may be known to increase the risk of miscarriage, but which are prescribed for other medical indications such as chemotherapeutic agents or diagnostic drugs; and As Engrossed: H3/12/25 S3/18/25 HB1551 2 03-18-2025 14:05:48 CEB022 (ii) Contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, or methotrexate when used to treat an ectopic pregnancy. (b) A person commits coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud if he or she knowingly administers or gives an abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent with the purpose to cause an abortion. (c) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section upon conviction is guilty of a Class B felony. (d) A prosecution under this section does not prevent prosecution under another section if a person commits coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud and the use of an abortion-inducing drug causes the death or bodily injury of the pregnant woman or an unborn child.

The fact counts induced abortions reported as occurring in Arkansas in 2024, regardless of patient residence. It excludes abortions obtained by Arkansas residents outside the state. Regulation or reporting concerns these occurrences without establishing the effect of a particular policy. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Arkansas evidence context: Reported induced abortions occurring in Arkansas. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

20-16-2602. Definitions. As used in this subchapter: (1)(A) “Abortion” means the act of using or prescribing any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to terminate the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman, with knowledge that the termination by any of those means will with reasonable likelihood cause the death of the unborn child. As Engrossed: S4/9/25 SB591 2 04-09-2025 15:16:46 JMB381 (B) An act under subdivision (1)(A) of this section is not an abortion if the act is performed with the intent to: (i) Save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child or the pregnant woman; (ii) Remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion; or (iii) Remove an ectopic pregnancy; (2) “Incompetent” means an individual who has been adjudicated as an individual with a disability and has had a guardian appointed for her; (3) “Minor” means an individual under eighteen (18) years of age; (4) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine in this state, including a medical doctor and a doctor of osteopathy; (5) “Race-selection abortion” means an abortion performed solely on the basis of the race of the unborn child; (6) “Unborn child” means the offspring of human beings from conception until birth; and (7) “Viability” means the state of fetal development when, in the judgment of the physician based on the particular facts of the case before him or her and in light of the most advanced medical technology and information available to him or her, there is a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the unborn child outside the body of the mother, with or without artificial life support. 20-16-2603. Prohibition — Race-selection abortion. (a) A physician or other person shall not intentionally perform or attempt to perform an abortion with the knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion solely on the basis of the race of the unborn child. (b) Before performing an abortion, the physician or other person who is performing the abortion shall: (1)(A) Ask the pregnant woman if she knows the race of the unborn child. (B) If the pregnant woman knows the race of the unborn child, the physician or other person who is performing the abortion shall inform the pregnant woman of the prohibition of abortion as a method of race selection for children; and As Engrossed: S4/9/25 SB591 3 04-09-2025 15:16:46 JMB381 (2)(A) Request the medical records of the pregnant woman relating directly to the entire pregnancy history of the woman. (B) An abortion shall not be performed until reasonable time and effort is spent to obtain the medical records of the pregnant woman as described in subdivision (b)(2)(A) of this section. (c) If this section is held invalid as applied to the period of pregnancy prior to viability, then the section shall remain applicable to the period of pregnancy subsequent to viability. 20-16-2604. Criminal penalties. A physician or other person who knowingly performs or attempts to perform an abortion prohibited by this subchapter is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. 20-16-2605. Civil penalties and professional sanctions. (a)(1) A physician or other person who knowingly violates this subchapter is liable for damages and shall have his or her medical license suspended or revoked as applicable. (2) The physician or other person may also be enjoined from future acts prohibited by this subchapter. (b)(1) A woman who receives an abortion in violation of this subchapter without being informed of the prohibition of abortion as a method of race selection for children, the parent or legal guardian of the woman if the woman is a minor who is not emancipated, or the legal guardian of the woman if the woman has been adjudicated incompetent, may commence a civil action for any reckless violation of this subchapter and may seek both actual and punitive damages. (2) Damages may include without limitation: (A) Money damages for all psychological and physical injuries occasioned by the violation of this subchapter; and (B) Statutory damages equal to ten (10) times the cost of the abortion performed in violation of this subchapter. (c) A physician or other person who performs an abortion in violation of this subchapter shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for which his or her license to provide healthcare services in this state shall be suspended or revoked by the Arkansas State Medical Board. As Engrossed: S4/9/25 SB591 4 04-09-2025 15:16:46 JMB381 (d)(1) A cause of action for injunctive relief against any physician or other person who has knowingly violated this subchapter may be maintained by: (A) A person who is the spouse, parent, guardian, or current or former licensed healthcare provider of the woman who receives or attempts to receive an abortion in violation of this subchapter; or (B) The Attorney General. (2) The injunction shall prevent the physician or other person from performing further abortions in violation of this subchapter. 20-16-2606. Exclusion of liability for a woman who undergoes prohibited abortion. (a) A woman who receives or attempts to receive an abortion in violation of this subchapter shall not be prosecuted under this subchapter for conspiracy to violate this subchapter or otherwise be held criminally or civilly liable for any violation. (b) In a criminal proceeding or action brought under this subchapter, a woman who receives or attempts to receive an abortion in violation of this subchapter is entitled to all rights, protections, and notifications afforded to crime victims. (c)(1) In a civil proceeding or action brought under this subchapter, the anonymity of the woman who receives or attempts to receive the abortion in violation of this subchapter shall be preserved from public disclosure unless she gives her consent to disclosure. (2) A court of competent jurisdiction, upon motion or sua sponte, shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of the individuals from the courtroom or hearing room to the extent necessary to safeguard the identity of the woman from public disclosure. (3) In the absence of written consent of the woman who receives or attempts to receive an abortion in violation of this subchapter, a person who initiates a proceeding or action under § 20-16-2605(b) or § 20-16-2605(d) shall do so under a pseudonym. 20-16-2607. Construction. (a) This subchapter shall not be construed as creating or recognizing As Engrossed: S4/9/25 SB591 5 04-09-2025 15:16:46 JMB381 a right to abortion. (b) It is not the intention of this subchapter to make lawful an abortion that is currently unlawful. 20-16-2608. Right of intervention. The General Assembly by joint resolution may appoint one (1) or more of its members who sponsored or cosponsored this subchapter in his or her official capacity to intervene as a matter of right in any case in which the constitutionality of this law is challenged. SECTION 2. Contingent effective date. This act shall become effective only upon the certification by the Attorney General that: (1) The State of Arkansas is enjoined from preventing a person from purposely performing or attempting to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency under Arkansas Human Life Protection Act, § 5-61-301 et seq., or the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act, § 5-61-401 et seq.; or (2) The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act, § 5-61-301 et seq., or the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act, § 5-61-401 et seq., have been repealed or amended in whole or in part to allow a person to purposely perform or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency.

Firearm mortality includes suicide, homicide, and other intents. The provision concerns firearm access, safety, or prevention of firearm injury and may address only part of the death count. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.

Retained Arkansas evidence context: Firearm deaths. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

6-16-163. Instruction on firearm safety — Required. (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to: (1) Protect Arkansas children from the accidental discharge of firearms by providing age-appropriate firearm education and instruction; and (2) Empower the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission to work with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to create and approve age-appropriate firearm safety courses. (b)(1) The division, in consultation with the commission, shall As Engrossed: H1/28/25 H2/17/25 HB1117 2 02-17-2025 09:09:53 TNL036 determine the earliest grade in which it is appropriate for students enrolled in public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools to begin receiving instruction on firearm safety. (2) In order to make the determination required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the division and the commission shall study relevant data and risk factors, including without limitation the earliest age at which: (A) Incidents of injury involving firearms are reported; and (B) Children are susceptible to harm from unsecured firearms that they are able to gain access to. (c) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall annually provide students with age-appropriate and grade-appropriate instruction on firearm safety. (d) The curriculum or program of instruction used to educate students on firearm safety under subsection (b) of this section shall: (1) Be approved by the division; (2) Begin in the earliest appropriate grade as determined by the division and the commission under subsection (a) of this section and continue in each subsequent grade through grade twelve (12); (3) Include instruction on the following without limitation: (A) The steps to take if a student finds an unsecured firearm, including without limitation the importance of: (i) Avoiding injury if the student finds an unsecured firearm; (ii) Never touching a firearm if the student finds an unsecured firearm; and (iii) Immediately notifying an adult of the location of the unsecured firearm; (B) School safety relating to firearms; and (C) The proper handling and safe storage of firearms; and (4) Include neutral viewpoints on all included topics, including without limitation the prevention of accidental firearm injury. As Engrossed: H1/28/25 H2/17/25 HB1117 3 02-17-2025 09:09:53 TNL036 (e)(1) The division shall not approve a curriculum or program of instruction used to educate students on firearm safety if the curriculum, program of instruction, or any of the instructional materials used as part of the curriculum or program of instruction bear a brand or stated organizational affiliation. (2) However, curricula, programs of instruction, or any of the instructional materials used as part of the curricula or programs of instruction used to educate students on firearm safety may bear a brand issued by the State of Arkansas or any of its departments, agencies, or divisions. (f) The division shall use the following preferred methods of instruction in determining the curriculum or program of instruction used to educate students on firearm safety: (1) The viewing of a video produced by the commission or a commission-approved source; (2) The review of online resources and materials; and (3)(A) An alternative curriculum, which may include an off-campus, commission-approved firearm safety course. (B)(i) An off-campus, commission-approved firearm safety course may be provided in conjunction with a live-fire exercise or sporting event. (ii) If an off-campus, commission-approved firearm safety course is provided in conjunction with a live-fire exercise or sporting event, the provider of the off-campus, commission-approved firearm safety course and the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school in which the participating student is enrolled shall obtain prior written approval from the participating student's parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the participating student. (g) As used in this section, "firearm" means the same as defined in § 5-1-102.