07/31/2025
Today we honor 60 years of Medicare and Medicaid. These programs that have transformed lives across the U.S., including right here in Springdale, Arkansas, home to the largest Marshallese community in the continental United States.
For thousands of Marshallese families, these programs represent more than healthcare: they’re a lifeline.
Thanks to recent policy changes, Marshallese citizens under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) are eligible for Medicaid in Arkansas, restoring access that was lost decades ago. This means more families can receive preventive care, manage chronic conditions like diabetes which affects nearly half of Marshallese adults in Arkansas and get the screenings that save lives.
This anniversary is a celebration of progress and a call to action. Let’s continue advocating for strong, inclusive healthcare systems that serve every community with dignity and respect.
Because when healthcare is accessible, communities thrive.
