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Healthcare in Arkansas

Arkansas faces significant healthcare workforce challenges, with approximately 6,800 active physicians and a per capita rate of just 222 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock serves as the state's primary academic medical center and largest public employer, providing advanced care and training the next generation of physicians. Arkansas Children's Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the state and serves as a regional referral center for the mid-South. Rural healthcare access is a pressing concern, with many of the state's 75 counties designated as medically underserved. The state has one medical school at UAMS, which has expanded class sizes and created regional campus programs to improve physician distribution. Arkansas was among the first states to expand Medicaid under the ACA through its innovative Arkansas Works program, extending coverage to approximately 300,000 additional residents. Community health centers play a vital role in primary care delivery across rural areas. The Northwest Arkansas corridor around Fayetteville and Bentonville has experienced healthcare growth matching its population boom, while the Mississippi Delta region remains critically underserved.