The Arkansas Finish Line Coalition, a growing group of medical professionals, child-serving organizations, and advocates, has the following goals (revised June 2010) to reach its mission of covering all children in Arkansas.
- Enroll children who already qualify for ARKids First but aren't signed up, and keep them enrolled each year.
- Extend health insurance to more Arkansas children by raising the family income limit from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 250 percent, as passed during the 2009 legislative session.
- Expand coverage to more children and families and improve access to care by working with partners to successfully implement the new health care law in Arkansas.
To join our effort or for more information on the Arkansas Finish Line Coalition, contact Elisabeth Wright Burak at 501-371-9678, Ext 119. The coalition is supported by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation.
Current Issues
Cutting Red Tape in ARKids First now Act 771! (from ARVoices blog)
2010 Child Health Summit (September 2010)
Brief: Cutting the Red Tape in ARKids First
Crossing the Finish Line 2010: Moving Toward Covering All Kids PDF (May 2010)
How the New Health Law will Affect Arkansas Children and Families (March 2010)
Crossing the Finish Line: How Arkansas Can Cover All Children PDF (February 2009)
Press release: Child and Health Advocates Rally for Children's Health Insurance (February 2009)
Press release: AACF Supports Beebe's Call to Expand ARKids First (January 2009)
Special report: Health Insurance for Children:The Arkansas Success Story, 1997-2005
Coalition meeting notes
- presentation on Exchange planning
April 2011
September 2010 Child Health Summit
Feb. 2010 PDF
Sept. 2009 PDF
May 2009 PDF
Jan. 2009 PDF
Nov. 2008 (enrollment and Retention) PDF
July 2008 PDF
Coalition Members
Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
Arkansas Association of Education Administrators
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, Inc.
Arkansas Education Association
Arkansas Head Start Association
Arkansas Hospital Association
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Arkansas Interfaith Alliance
Arkansas Kids Count Coalition
Arkansas Medicaid in the Schools
Arkansas Nurses Association
American Academy of Pediatrics - Arkansas Chapter
Benefit Bank of Arkansas
Community Health Centers of Arkansas
Easter Seals Arkansas
Harmony Health Clinic
March of Dimes - Arkansas Chapter
Mental Health Council of Arkansas
Natural Wonders Partnership Council
New Futures for Youth, Inc.