For Immediate Release: March 8, 2024
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Gov. Sanders: ‘Healthy moms mean healthy babies.’
Little Rock, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed an executive order to protect the health of pregnant and post-partum women and their babies in Arkansas. The executive order on maternal health directs the Surgeon General, Department of Human Services and Department of Health to develop a statewide plan to improve education, access, coordination and reporting. Under the order, the task force must take immediate steps to enroll pregnant and postpartum women in health coverage options.
During a signing ceremony this week, Governor Sanders said, “Too many women simply don’t know the resources we offer – this is a major step toward fixing that.” In addition to eliminating gaps in care, the order directs the committee to:
- Create a pilot program in five counties to increase prenatal care access.
- Develop an ad campaign informing the public on maternal health and resources.
- Explore making changes to Medicaid and health innovations through grants and public-private partnerships.
- Expand proven treatment protocols for pregnant and post-partum women in hospitals across the state.
- Develop a statewide analytics reporting structure for maternal health.
- Consider strategies to expand telehealth, home visits and doula services.
Caitlin Connors, southern regional director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America applauded Governor Sanders:
“We are grateful for Governor Sanders’ leadership in serving moms and protecting babies. Through this executive order, Arkansas will take swift action to improve the health of more moms by establishing solutions involving the public, private and nonprofit sectors. This is another example of how pro-life governors across our country are establishing a culture of life by providing more support for mothers.”
Governor Sanders’ undertaking is part of a widespread effort along with other pro-life governors across the nation to empower women, both throughout their pregnancy and after their children are born. SD Gov. Kristi Noem and NE Gov. Jim Pillen recently issued proclamations focused on building upon the culture of life in their states. AL Gov. Kay Ivey is doubling down on improving foster care adoptions and providing more free checkups for pregnant women. Gov. Jim Justice is championing $3 million in funding for pregnancy centers. Gov. Kim Reynolds is advancing the Thrive Iowa initiative to establish post-partum Medicaid and paid maternity leave for state employees.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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