Issue Position: Health

Issue Position

Enacting legislation that provides health care for all Arkansans continues to be one of Rep. Allen's primary priorities.

STATE-WIDE TRAUMA NETWORK

The 87th General Assembly passed comprehensive healthcare legislation. This 23-item healthcare package, which is funded by a tax increase on tobacco products, includes the establishment of a state-wide trauma network. At this time, Arkansas is only one of three states without a trauma network, and the only state that does not have a Level I trauma hospital. Having a trauma network is predicted to save approximately 200 lives per year and reduce the long-term effect of permanent injuries in Arkansas.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CHILDREN'S CARE AND HOME HEALTH

The healthcare package expands ARKids First health insurance by covering an additional 8,000 children of low income and middle income families. It also allows an alternative to nursing homes and long-term care facilities by expanding home healthcare programs. Community health clinics will receive state funding. The healthcare package also allows more adults to be eligible for free or reduced price dental care. School nurses will receive more resources. More options to treat children diagnosed with autism will be available. Flu shots will be provided free of charge. Also, extra money will go into programs that treat and prevent strokes, breast, cervical, ovarian, colorectal, skin, and prostate cancer.

Rep. Allen sponsored Act 709, which establishes the "Health Care Student Summer Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Student Populations Act." This Act will increase the number of health care workers that are underrepresented in the state of Arkansas.
PROSTRATE CANCER SCREENING FOR MEN SAVES LIVES

As a prostate cancer survivor, Rep Allen was pleased to sponsor Act 75. This landmark legislation requires health benefit plans to provide prostate cancer screening for men over forty years of age. Prostate cancer is the second leading form of cancer in men. In Arkansas, more men die from prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer. Act 75 could prevent premature deaths and decrease prostate cancer treatment costs through diagnosis at an early stage. Rep. Allen also sponsored Act 280, which strengthens the Cervical Task Force by enhancing the expertise of those serving on the task force.

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