Little Rock, Arkansas – A new statewide effort aimed at helping women access pregnancy-related healthcare is now underway in Arkansas, with state leaders saying they hope the initiative will remove confusion, improve maternal health outcomes, and make care easier to reach for families in every corner of the state.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Human Services this week to officially launch the campaign, called “Claim Your Care,” during a public event in Little Rock focused on women’s health and family support services.
The campaign marks the first coordinated statewide outreach effort led by the Arkansas Department of Health specifically designed to connect pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, and new mothers with nearby care through Arkansas Health Units, commonly known as AHUs.
State officials unveiled the initiative during the third annual Month of May Block Party and Women’s Health Expo, a free public event that brought together healthcare workers, agencies, and families to highlight programs available throughout Arkansas. While the main event took place in Little Rock, health units across the state simultaneously hosted open house events to introduce local residents to the services offered in their communities.
Women attending the events received information about prenatal and postpartum care, breastfeeding assistance, nutrition services, immunizations, pregnancy testing, mental health support, and community healthcare resources. Organizers also helped families enroll in available programs and connect with providers close to home.
The launch coincided with Women’s Health Month and reflects a broader push by Arkansas leaders to address maternal healthcare challenges through earlier intervention and expanded access to services.
“As a mom of three kids, I know that pregnancy can be overwhelming, and that’s why we are launching this campaign to help women get the care they deserve, no matter what part of Arkansas they call home,” said Governor Sanders. “By reaching women early, eliminating confusion, and making the path to care easy and affordable, we will be able to improve outcomes, strengthen families, and support women and mothers. From Northwest Arkansas to the Delta and everywhere in between, Arkansas Health Units are a close, reliable place to start.”
The campaign centers around a simple but direct message: helping women understand where care is available and encouraging them to seek support as early as possible. Health officials say many services already exist across the state, but awareness and accessibility continue to be major barriers for some families.
Arkansas Secretary of Health Renee Mallory said the state’s network of 92 Arkansas Health Units operating across all 75 counties already provides a wide range of services for mothers and families, though many residents may not fully understand what is available to them.
“We have 92 AHUs across 75 counties providing services for mothers,” said Arkansas Secretary of Health Renee Mallory. “These services include prenatal care, mental health support, follow-up care after pregnancy, and help connecting to local doctors. But services only help if women know about them. We want every woman who visits an AHU to feel supported and confident during her pregnancy. That’s why this campaign’s tagline is ‘Claim Your Care.’”
Arkansas Health Units function as county-based public health clinics staffed by nurses and healthcare professionals who assist women before, during, and after pregnancy. Services range from pregnancy testing and nutrition counseling to breastfeeding support and postpartum follow-up care. The clinics also help women connect with doctors, specialists, and community organizations that provide additional support.
State officials emphasized that financial barriers should not prevent families from seeking care. While the clinics accept insurance, women without insurance or with limited financial means can still receive services without out-of-pocket costs.
Healthcare leaders involved in the initiative say the campaign is about more than simply advertising services. They describe it as an effort to change how women interact with the healthcare system during pregnancy by creating a more welcoming and supportive experience from the start.
“When mothers receive care early and feel supported during pregnancy and after delivery, outcomes improve,” said Arkansas Surgeon General Kay Chandler. “This effort is about making sure every mother in Arkansas knows she is not alone and that care is within reach.”
The campaign also ties directly into the broader maternal health agenda advanced by Governor Sanders during the past year. In 2025, Sanders signed the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, a major piece of legislation directing $45 million toward maternal healthcare improvements throughout Arkansas.
The law expanded support systems for pregnant women and infants in several ways. Among its provisions, it created presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women, allowing many expectant mothers to access care more quickly while waiting for full approval. The legislation also established reimbursement pathways for doulas and community health workers and expanded Medicaid coverage for remote ultrasounds, blood pressure monitoring, and continuous glucose monitoring tied to pregnancy care.
Supporters of the legislation say these changes are intended to reduce healthcare gaps, especially in rural areas where access to specialists and hospitals can sometimes be limited.
Officials from the Arkansas Department of Human Services said collaboration between agencies will play a major role in the campaign’s success moving forward.
“The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is proud to support this campaign to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers know about the services available to them at AHUs, as well as the care that they may be eligible to receive through Medicaid,” said Arkansas Secretary of Human Services Janet Mann. “Bettering the maternal care system in our state is a top priority for our agency, and we are grateful to stand alongside Gov. Sanders, the Legislature, the ADH, and so many of our providers and partners who are all working together to advance this common cause.”
As the campaign rolls out statewide, health officials say the ultimate goal is straightforward: helping women know that care is available nearby and encouraging them to seek support early instead of waiting until complications arise.
State leaders hope the “Claim Your Care” initiative will ultimately strengthen families, improve birth outcomes, and make pregnancy-related healthcare more accessible for thousands of Arkansas women in the years ahead.
