Arkansas remains lone outlier in 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage

The Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) is intensifying calls for state officials to extend Medicaid postpartum insurance following Wisconsin's recent legislative approval. Arkansas is now the only state in the U.S. that does not guarantee 12 months of continuous coverage for low-income mothers, as 44% of new mothers in the state reportedly lost insurance in late 2025. With one of the nation's highest maternal mortality rates, advocates argue the 'coverage retention' collapse is exacerbating a critical healthcare crisis.