everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Healthcare

SB187

To Amend The Composition Of The Arkansas Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board To Include Physician Assistants.

Failed

Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 187 amends the composition requirements for the Arkansas Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. Specifically, the bill updates the criteria for appointed members to explicitly include physician assistants in addition to physicians and advanced practice registered nurses. These appointees must be licensed and practicing in Arkansas and currently treating rare diseases or conditions. The bill aims to broaden the professional representation on the board, which oversees medication utilization policies within the state's Medicaid program.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are physician assistants in Arkansas, who gain the opportunity to serve on the Arkansas Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. Additionally, the Medicaid program and its patients may benefit from a broader range of clinical perspectives and expertise in reviewing drug utilization policies, particularly regarding the treatment of rare diseases.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no groups expected to be directly and significantly negatively impacted by this bill. However, it is possible that the inclusion of physician assistants could slightly reduce the number of potential appointment slots available to physicians or advanced practice registered nurses if the total number of seats on the board remains static.

Vote Records

Third Reading

Feb. 12, 2025
Yea: 32 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 3 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Yea
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Absent
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Absent
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Absent
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us