Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

17/07/2025

What impact will private equity investment have on Arkansas health care? ACHI's Craig Wilson took the stage at the Arkansas Department of Health's Dr. Joseph H. Bates Auditorium to discuss that evolving issue for Thursday's Public Health Grand Rounds presentation.

09/07/2025

Northwest Arkansas leaders envision 1,800 miles of shared-use and bicycle paths connecting communities across the region. Ryan Hale of Laneshift, a Rogers-based firm that specializes in bicycle and pedestrian planning and design, joins host Craig Wilson on "Wonks at Work" to discuss what's involved in building that kind of infrastructure. Listen to the episode here: bit.ly/4eBsiM2

04/07/2025

03/07/2025

Provisions in both the House and Senate versions of the federal budget bill are expected to considerably affect enrollment in Arkansas Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace, in turn affecting access to care and, ultimately, health outcomes. On our blog, we look at the Medicaid-specific provisions in the bills and how they would impact Arkansas.

Both the House and Senate versions of budget legislation under consideration in Congress contain provisions that would considerably affect enrollment in Arkansas Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

30/06/2025

Congress has shown a clear intent to reduce federal expenditures on health care, shifting financial responsibility for Medicaid and other federal programs to the states and local communities. ACHI Interim President and CEO Craig Wilson discusses potential healthcare coverage impacts on Arkansas.

30/06/2025

Arkansas has a lot at stake in the current federal budget discussions. In both the House and Senate versions of the budget bill, Congress shows a clear intent to reduce federal expenditures on health care, shifting financial responsibility for Medicaid and other federal programs to the states and local communities. To help local leaders estimate the potential impact on their communities, ACHI created a new resource that shows the most recently available enrollment data for the state's Medicaid expansion waiver program (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me, or ARHOME) and for Arkansans buying private insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. See more on our website: bit.ly/44GSTUK

29/06/2025

Fireworks injuries caused 14,700 people in the U.S. to seek treatment in emergency rooms last year, a whopping 52% increase from 9,700 in 2023, according to data released this week by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We have more from the new data, and firework safety tips, on our blog.

Fireworks injuries caused 14,700 people in the U.S. to seek treatment in emergency rooms last year, a sharp increase from 9,700 in 2023, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

18/06/2025

ACHI's Craig Wilson joined Dr. Zenobia Harris, director of the Arkansas Birthing Project, and Dr. Keneshia Bryant-Moore of UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for a panel discussion Tuesday on the intersection of maternal health and housing in the state. The event was hosted by Arkansas Impact Philanthropy.

10/06/2025

A growing share of healthcare entities in the U.S. are owned by private equity firms. While private equity can provide needed capital and operational expertise to struggling healthcare systems, it also introduces new financial risks. ACHI Interim Health Policy Director Jennifer Wessel discusses the issue of private equity investment in health care, and the lack of oversight such transactions receive in Arkansas, in a new video.

See more in our explainer: bit.ly/3HyGHwg

28/05/2025

The Heartland Whole Health Institute recently honored ACHI's Craig Wilson with the 2025 Bridge Award. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and excellence in improving the quality of health care for Arkansans. The institute's Sarah Bemis surprised Wilson with the award at the 2025 NWA Health Summit in Fayetteville, where he was presenting on healthcare payment transformation efforts in the state.

26/05/2025

May we always remember those who serve and sacrifice for their country and community.

21/05/2025

Emergency medical services agencies from around the state held a "Parade of Lights" in Little Rock today. It was part of EMS Day at the Capitol, an event celebrating the services that EMS agencies provide to Arkansas communities.