Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 1819 would have required Arkansas' State Registrar of Vital Records to work with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to contact mothers when registering their newborns, offering postpartum support and assistance. This would have directly affected new mothers in Arkansas whose infants' births were recorded through the state's vital records system. The bill, which was filed in March 2025 but withdrawn by its author on April 14, 2025, aimed to connect mothers with health resources during the critical postpartum period. The bill did not advance beyond committee referral and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHB 1532 proposes creating the Arkansas Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health to address challenges faced by Arkansans with rare diseases. The council would consist of 8 members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry experts, serving 3-year terms with geographic and demographic diversity. Its key duties include researching treatment barriers (like orphan drug pricing and Medicaid coverage), recommending policy improvements for diagnosis and care access, conducting public surveys, and developing emergency care protocols for rare disease patients. The bill was filed in February 2025, referred to the Public Health Committee, and withdrawn by the author on April 14, 2025, so it has not advanced further.

Maddy summaryHB 1241 requires Arkansas Medicaid to cover dental and anesthesia costs for complex oral health care requiring sedation for individuals aged 18+ who need high-complexity dental procedures. It sets specific reimbursement limits: $3,750 per treatment episode and a $5,000 annual cap per person, excluding discounts or rebates. The law applies to accredited dental schools and academic medical centers providing these services. This policy directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries needing specialized dental care and the healthcare providers who serve them.

Maddy summaryHB 1296 (now Act 556) requires health insurers to cover healthcare services provided through mobile units, such as community health vans or temporary clinics. This law directly affects health insurance plans and providers offering mobile services by mandating that these services be included in standard coverage, removing a previous exclusion for mobile care. The bill amends coverage definitions to ensure mobile unit services are treated the same as in-person care under health benefit plans. It passed both chambers in April 2025 and became effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1788 amends Arkansas' Health Care Consumer Act by increasing the processing time for healthcare provider applications from 60 to 90 days. This change directly affects healthcare providers seeking licensure or renewal in Arkansas, as it extends the timeframe for state agencies to review applications. The bill, now Act 571 after becoming law on April 14, 2025, modifies a procedural requirement under the existing act. The amendment was passed by both legislative chambers in April 2025 and signed into law, with no other substantive policy changes to provider requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1703 (now Act 570) establishes a new process for reimbursing healthcare providers for drugs. It directly affects healthcare providers and insurance companies or health plans (referred to as "contracting entities"). The key provision requires providers to notify insurers when a drug’s cost to them is below the agreed reimbursement rate; upon receiving this notice, insurers must adjust rates to at least 110% of the provider’s actual drug cost without requiring an appeal. This change ensures faster reimbursement adjustments for low-cost drugs, streamlining the process for affected providers.

Maddy summaryHB 1426 amends the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act to clarify rules governing healthcare contracts between insurers and providers. It prohibits enforcing hidden "all-products clauses" (rules requiring providers to accept all insurer products) even if not explicitly stated in contracts. The bill also requires insurers to give providers the right to opt out of network transfers during sales/leases and to disclose specific contact information (name, address, phone, email) for customer service. These changes directly affect healthcare insurers, providers, and third-party administrators managing health benefit plans.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 as Vietnam Era Veterans Month in Arkansas. It formally recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnam War veterans through state-level ceremonial observance. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or benefits - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It affects Arkansas residents by establishing official dates for state-level recognition of veterans' service.

Maddy summaryHB 1303 (now Act 546) creates a state income tax credit for businesses producing sustainable aviation fuel in Arkansas. The credit allows eligible producers to reduce their state income tax liability by up to the full amount of tax they owe in a given year. It directly affects aviation fuel producers who meet the bill's sustainability criteria, providing financial incentive to develop and use cleaner fuel alternatives. The law, enacted April 10, 2025, establishes this credit as part of Arkansas' efforts to support sustainable energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1301 amends Arkansas' Prior Authorization Transparency Act to clarify rules for healthcare providers and insurers regarding prior authorization requests. It requires insurers to approve at least 80% of prior authorization requests for a specific service to qualify for provider exemptions, and sets a 12-month window for providers to request new evaluations after a denial. The bill also modifies the appeals process, requiring insurers to pay 50% of independent review costs if they successfully overturn a prior authorization denial. These changes aim to increase transparency and reduce unnecessary denials in healthcare coverage decisions.