The proposed legislation establishes the Arkansas Primary Care Payment Improvement Working Group, which aims to enhance the understanding of the primary care system in Arkansas and its impact on health outcomes. The General Assembly recognizes that increased access to quality primary care can lead to reduced healthcare costs and improved health outcomes. The working group will consist of eight members, including representatives from various health and insurance organizations, and will be chaired by a member selected from the Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians. The group is tasked with defining primary care, evaluating current spending on primary care, and studying the primary care payment landscape in other states.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law regarding data submission under the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative. It removes the requirement for submitting entities to provide data by January 1, 2016, and instead mandates the submission of nonclaims-based payments made to providers, alongside health and dental claims data, unique identifiers, and demographic information. The working group is expected to submit a report by April 1, 2026, detailing its findings and recommendations, including a proposed primary care spending target for both commercial insurance carriers and the Arkansas Medicaid Program. If these targets are not met, the Legislative Council may require representatives from the non-compliant entities to explain their efforts to meet the established goals.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB264 Original - 2-20-2025 10:52 AM: 23-61-906(a)
Old version SB264 V2 - 3-18-2025 10:35 AM: 23-61-906(a)
SB 264: 23-61-906(a)