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Creating a Healthier Arkansas: The American Heart Association’s 2026-2027 Public Policy Agenda

November 6, 2026

Everyone deserves the chance to live a long, healthy life. That’s why we’re focused on advancing policies that improve cardiovascular health and reduce the impact of heart disease and stroke. As we look ahead, these are the key state priorities we’re championing across Arkansas.

Our 2026-2027 Arkansas State Policy Agenda focuses on evidence-based solutions that improve health, prevent disease, and save lives. Here’s what we’re working on this year.

  • Access to Care Defense
    Maintain current programs that help to promote quality and affordable access to care.
  • Healthy School Meals For All
    Expand access to free school lunch for all students.
  • Post-Partum Medicaid Expansion
    Ensure all individuals whose pregnancies are covered by Medicaid can keep their Medicaid coverage for at least one-year post-partum.
  • Paid Family Medical Leave
    Expand policies that ensure employees have access to paid family and medical leave programs that provide sufficient paid time off to manage significant personal or family life events and needs.
  • CARES Registry
    Secure public funding to establish and maintain a comprehensive cardiac arrest surveillance and quality improvement system through the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES).
  • Release of IRA Funds Timely (RIFT)
    Pass legislation that will help to streamline donations when a non-profit is named as beneficiary for an individual IRA.
  • Evidence Based Heart Assessments
    Enact statewide guidelines for the detection of the risk of cardiac conditions and for congenital heart disease that follow clinical considerations set by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Moving Arkansas Forward
Creating a healthier Arkansas requires more than good policy ideas. It takes people coming together to share their experiences, advocate for change, and help create healthier communities.

Through Heart Powered, our grassroots advocacy network, Arkansans can take action on the issues that matter most to heart and brain health. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a longtime advocate, there’s a place for you to get involved.

Together, we can create a healthier future for Arkansas. Watch for Heart Powered alerts to learn how you can help advance these priorities.

Not a member of Heart Powered? Join here.