Exciting changes are happening in Arkansas for maternal health. A new midwifery program at the Community Clinic recently celebrated its first birth, thanks in part to recent legislation. In March 2024, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders created the Arkansas Strategic Committee for Maternal Health. This effort aimed to improve maternal health services in the state.
The Community Clinic was actively involved in this initiative. They pushed for important changes, like expanding Medicaid coverage for support staff such as doulas and creating more midwifery education programs.
In February, lawmakers approved the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act. This law aims to streamline Medicaid enrollment for pregnant women and enhance coverage for doula and midwifery services. Following this, the Community Clinic, in partnership with Willow Creek Women’s Health Hospital and Northwest Health, launched its midwifery program.
“We’re thrilled about the arrival of our program’s first baby,” said Judd Semingson, CEO of the Community Clinic. “This is a great example of how community care and smart policy can make a difference in Arkansas.”
Candice Killeen, the nurse midwife who delivered the baby, emphasized the importance of the program. Siloam Springs, where the clinic is located, has faced challenges in maternal health care. The local hospital’s labor and delivery unit has been closed for over a year, creating a significant gap in care.
“There hasn’t been comprehensive maternal care here until this program started,” Killeen said. She believes this program fills a crucial need in the community.
The Community Clinic operates 30 locations across Benton and Washington counties and northeast Oklahoma, offering a range of health services, including women’s health and prenatal care.
Concerns about maternal health are rising, especially in Arkansas, which has historically ranked low in positive outcomes. Research shows that midwifery can significantly improve these outcomes. “This program is a collaborative solution,” Killeen noted. “It gives families more options and addresses ongoing concerns.”
Pearl McElfish, who leads the Institute for Community Health Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), pointed out that mothers often face many barriers. “We need to meet moms where they are,” she said. With a shortage of obstetricians, midwives can care for low to moderate-risk women and free up physicians for more complex cases.
UAMS plans to launch a master’s level midwifery program next fall to increase the number of practicing midwives in Arkansas, currently around 20. Program Director Samantha Crouch believes that expanding midwifery care can lead to better maternal health outcomes, including lower C-section rates and higher breastfeeding rates.
McElfish is hopeful for a transformative future in maternal health. “I envision a state where all our efforts revolve around supporting pregnant mothers effectively,” she said. With collaboration and innovative solutions, Arkansas could change from being known for its disparities to being a model for maternal health programs across the nation.
