The Senate committee on Public Health approved legislation aimed at improving maternal health in Arkansas, despite concerns over a provision limiting lawsuits for birth injuries. Senate Bill 213 would make it easier for pregnant women to enroll in Medicaid, pay for doulas, and increase payments to doctors and hospitals. However, the bill includes a section that would shorten the statute of limitations for medical injury lawsuits on behalf of children. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Aaron Pilkington, argued that the change would help health care providers financially.
Attorney George Wise spoke against the bill, citing concerns that some birth-related injuries may not be discovered until after a child turns 5. However, Sen. Missy Irvin stated that improvements in medical testing have made detecting such problems before age 5 more feasible. Despite support for most of the bill, Sen. Fred Love voted against it due to concerns over the statute of limitations.
The bill will now move to the full Senate, with a companion bill possibly being heard in the House. The legislation, aimed at addressing Arkansas’s poor maternal health statistics, has sparked debate over the balance between supporting healthcare providers and protecting the rights of families impacted by birth injuries.
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