This bill aims to establish coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related diseases under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program in Arkansas. It includes legislative findings that highlight the significance of Alzheimer's as a leading cause of death in the state, the financial burden of late-stage management due to delayed diagnosis, and the importance of timely treatment decisions made by licensed physicians based on evidence-based guidelines. The bill expresses the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that health benefit plans for state and public school employees, effective January 1, 2026, will provide coverage for these conditions.

Specifically, the bill mandates that the coverage must include FDA-approved treatments and medications aimed at slowing the progression of Alzheimer's and related diseases, as well as necessary diagnostic testing. Additionally, it stipulates that the coverage will not be subject to step therapy protocols, ensuring that patients can access the prescribed treatments without unnecessary barriers. The State Board of Finance is authorized to create rules for the implementation of this section.