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40/29’S LAKYRA BANKS IS LIVE WITH A BREAKDOWN OF THE REPORT. THE STRATEGIC COMMITTEE FOR MATERNAL HEALTH HAS SPENT THE PAST SIX MONTHS CREATING A PLAN TO IMPROVE ARKANSAS’ MATERNAL MORTALITY. ACCORDING TO THE C- D-C- ARKANSAS IS CURRENTLY HIGHEST WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBER OF DEATHS DURING PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH. “Everybody from all corners of the state are really coming together to make a difference. And for me, that is where hope is, and that’s where change happens. So I’m inspired despite the current numbers.” THE STRATEGIC COMMITTEE FOR MATERNAL HEALTH WAS ESTABLISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO ADDRESS ARKANSAS’ HIGH MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE. “So we’re in a state where we have a problem, statewide and for a host of reasons.” A KEY REASON- MANY WOMEN LIVE IN MATERNAL HEALTH DESERTS. THEY’RE AREAS WITH LITTLE OR NO ACCESS TO PRENATAL CARE. “The maternal review committee. you know, assessed that 92% of these mortalities are preventable” THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT RECOMMENDS DEVELOPING NEW POLICIES, INCLUDING: IMPROVING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS- WORKING TO HIRE MORE WOMEN’S HEALTH DOCTORS- AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DOULAS. DOULAS ARE CERTIFIED LABOR COACHES WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING PREGNANCY, BIRTH, AND POSTPARTUM. “If you’re in rural Arkansas and you don’t have access to some of the resources, those doulas can really be an expansion of the health care team.” BUT ARKANSAS CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 30 TO 40 DOULAS STATEWIDE. THE COMMITTEE WANTS TO CHANGE THAT BY CREATING A PATHWAY FOR MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT TO PAY FOR DOULA SERVICES. “60 to 80% somewhere in that window of Arkansans are using Medicaid or pregnancy Medicaid for their care. And things like doula support and delivery services are an out-of- pocket expense.” THE STATE HAS ALREADY STARTED SOME INITIATIVES- LIKE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS IN HIGH-RISK COUNTIES AND A GRANT APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND SERVICES. “We know that if moms have early access to prenatal care, if they have access to quality care, then that is going to improve our maternal health outcomes for the state.” THE NEXT STEP IS FOR GOVERNOR SANDERS TO REVIEW THE REPORT AND BEG