National News

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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Road Back

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LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about our plans to shift our economy out of low gear as we look to life after the worst of this health crisis has passed.

I am optimistic about our economy and our ability to recover. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had been expanding business and creating jobs at a pace that led to months of the lowest unemployment rates in the state’s history.

That was dynamic growth that Arkansans built on a firm foundation of agriculture, tourism, small business, retail, and technology growth. In Arkansas, we have extraordinary entrepreneurs that are part of Arkansas’s DNA. Our labor force is smart, creative, enthusiastic, hardworking, determined, and always willing to learn new skills.

Although COVID-19 staggered our economy, it did not damage the foundation, which is why I am assured we will be fine in the long run. This is a set-back that won’t hold us back for long.

One of the things I did as I considered the best path for Arkansas was to study the White House’s blueprint for Opening Up America Again. This plan is in four phases, and the plan serves as a common roadmap for all the states. Yet it is designed to be flexible and adjusted to the unique circumstances of each state.

The move to reopen the economy must be based on up-to-date data; it must protect the most vulnerable; and it must minimize the risk of a resurgence.

Based on those guidelines, I set May 4 as the date that Arkansas would begin lifting some of the restrictions we have put in place since March 11.

To guide us in the process, I created the Governor’s Economic Recovery Task Force and appointed 27 leaders from around the state to serve on it. I have asked the group to present an initial report by May 4. All of their recommendations will be guided by the best ongoing public health information.

The task force includes representatives from across all facets of life – health care, athletics and physical fitness, education, the faith community, agriculture, tourism, small business, and industry.

Steuart Walton, a business leader and entrepreneur, will chair the group. Steuart is engaged in the hospitality, manufacturing, and retail industries, and he understands the needs of small business.

Arkansas’s road back to recovery won’t be easy, but there is a road back. I am confident of that. I look forward to seeing the initial recommendations on how we can reinvigorate our business, build consumer confidence, and assure the best public health standards.

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Governor Launches Two-Day Arkansas Surge Campaign to Increase COVID-19 Testing

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LITTLE ROCK – In an effort increase testing for COVID-19, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced a two-day Arkansas Surge Campaign today with a simple message: “If you think you have symptoms, don’t wait – get tested.”

The goal of the two-day Arkansas Surge is to increase testing from 1,000 to 1,500 per day over the next two days. The two-day campaign could provide an early diagnosis and quicker treatment for people who might have been reluctant to test early in the pandemic. The increased number of people who go for testing during the Friday and Saturday Surge will also help give the state a more complete understanding of the presence of COVID-19 in Arkansas.

The Governor presented four recommendations from his Testing Advisory Group to expand and increase testing in the state. 

  • Expand testing for all patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and those with history of potential exposure.

  • Expand testing for contact investigations

  • Increase testing in high-risk settings such as long-term-care facilities.

  • Develop a strategy for statewide serosurveillance.

“We are hoping to increase the number of people who are tested by expanding the criteria for testing,” the Governor said. “Until now, we have been testing only people who are symptomatic. We’re expanding testing to include all people who have been exposed to COVID-19, even if they don’t show symptoms. This will help us to identify infections and clusters around the state more quickly.

“By adding the history of potential exposure, we broaden the category of those who can qualify for testing. This will provide us the best statewide surveillance to alert us to any community with a new outbreak or new cluster.”

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Governor Hutchinson Announces Certain Nonessential Procedures May Resume April 27

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LITTLE ROCK – Medical service providers can resume certain nonessential out-patient procedures, restricted during the COVID-19 health crisis, on April 27, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at a news conference today. The Arkansas Department of Health has issued certain requirements for hospitals and out-patient clinics to follow in order to re-engage elective procedures.

The Governor also announced that he has established target dates to decide whether the state will lift restrictions on certain other services and businesses if Arkansas continues its trend of reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“We are moving in the right direction,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I am encouraged with the trends we are seeing. If we stay on target, our desire and intent is to start lifting restrictions. But we’re going to be watching the data every day. We’re going to take it a step at a time.

“Even if we do decide to lift restrictions on certain industries after May 4, I want to emphasize that they will remain under Phase One guidelines that call for masks, social distancing, and limits on the size of gatherings.”  

Governor Hutchinson announced these dates for decisions regarding lifting restrictions:

April 29: Restaurants

April 30: Gyms and indoor recreational facilities

May 1: Beauty salons and barber shops

May 4: Places of worship and larger venues

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Governor’s Working Group To Expand COVID-19 Testing Capacity Will Meet for First Time Today

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has created the Governor’s COVID-19 Testing Working Group to make recommendations to expand the capacity and performance of COVID-19 testing in the state, the Governor announced at a news conference today. The working group will meet virtually for the first time at 3 p.m. today.

“Arkansas’s ability to conduct adequate diagnostic and surveillance testing will affect the state’s public-health strategy and economic-recovery efforts after Arkansas reaches its peak number of COVID-19 cases,” Governor Hutchinson said. “As we prepare to shift Arkansas’s economy out of low gear, it is important for us to have more comprehensive information about the spread of COVID-19 in the state.”

The working group will include senior representatives of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Baptist Health of Arkansas, and Arkansas Children’s. These leaders will examine the state’s supply of testing equipment and make recommendations to maintain adequate testing capabilities and conduct surveillance testing across the state.

Members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Testing Working Group are:

  • Dr. Nathaniel Smith, ADH

  • Dr. Glen Baker, ADH

  • Dr. Naveen Patil, ADH

  • Dr. Katie Seely, ADH

  • Dr. Jennifer Hunt, UAMS

  • Dr. Jose Romero, ADH, UAMS, Arkansas Children’s

  • Dr. Atul Kothari, ADH, UAMS

  • Mr. Robin Mitchell, Arkansas Children’s

  • Dr. Bobby Boyanton, Arkansas Children’s 

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AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Improving the Unemployment Benefits System

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LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to a talk about the improvements we’ve made to our unemployment benefits system. I want to assure the thousands of Arkansans who have lost a job because of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are working diligently to get the benefits out the door.

Eighty state employees are answering the telephones at the call center seven days a week from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Then they work until 6 p.m to make sure applicants are getting what they need.

The Division of Workforce Services has just launched a new one-stop website that will accelerate the process for those who need answers or who need to file an unemployment claim.

ARunemployment.com includes a link to EZARC, where the unemployed can file a claim. The new website will provide regularly updated information regarding COVID-19-related unemployment benefits.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to rearrange almost everything about our lives. As painful as these adjustments have been, they were right and necessary. The health of Arkansans continues to be my highest priority.

As we dealt with the devastating impact of the physical health of Arkansans, we also have had to deal with the economic health of the state and the financial health of thousands of Arkansans who have been thrown out of work.

We have taken some steps to lighten the load for the newly unemployed, including a temporary waiver of the requirement to search for a new job while you receive unemployment.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this health crisis has been a blow to the Arkansas economy. For several years, we have enjoyed business expansion and job creation that produced the lowest unemployment rates in the state’s history.

Then the coronavirus came ashore, and suddenly the unemployment rate has increased significantly.

The current crisis is not over, but it will end. We will recover. This has stalled us, but it hasn’t cracked the solid economic foundation we’ve built through the achievements of Arkansans who have created hundreds of businesses big and small. We have created a business environment that attracts business.

Arkansas is a small state, but we have built a reputation that is bigger than our boundaries and population. We have built a state that is bigger than a historic flood or a worldwide health crisis. The people of Arkansas care for each other.  

As to the future, we will get back to business and growth, but we must continue to follow the public health guidelines to make sure our citizens stay healthy and safe.

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Governor Hutchinson Announces CMS Approval of Additional Pay For Eligible LTSS Direct Care Workers Due to COVID-19 Emergency

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LITTLE ROCK – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Arkansas’s request to use Medicaid funds to temporarily increase the weekly income of long-term services and supports (LTSS) direct-care workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at a news conference today.

On April 8, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) submitted an emergency state plan amendment and two “Appendix K” amendments to cover services provided under the State Plan and agencies in non-institutional settings for people who get care in their homes and communities. With approval from CMS, DHS will be able to make payments retroactive to April 5, 2020.

“CMS’s approval of this request is welcome news for LTSS direct-care workers, who are working long hours to see that our most vulnerable Arkansans are well-cared for during this public health emergency,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “Not only will these funds help ensure continuity of care, the extra pay will alleviate some of the financial stress for the caregivers, who are selflessly serving in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in private homes at increased risk to their own health.”

The additional care continuity pay will go to eligible non-physician direct-care workers employed by or contracted with institutional setting providers, such as nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and assisted living facilities; and agencies in non-institutional settings for people who receive care in their homes and communities. Eligible workers include those who are continuing to provide face-to-face services to this population and include:

  • Registered Nurses

  • Licensed practical nurses

  • Certified nurse aides

  • Personal care aides assisting with activities of daily living under the supervision of a nurse or therapist

  • Home health aides assisting with activities of daily living under the supervision of a nurse or therapist

  • Nursing assistive personnel

  • Direct care workers providing services under home and community-based waiver

  • Intermediate Care Facility direct care staff including those that work for a state-run Human Development Center

  • Assisted Living direct care staff members

  • Hospice service direct care workers

  • Respiratory therapists

The weekly care continuity initiative payments are available to direct care workers as follows:

  • A) work 20-39 hours per week--$125.00

  • B) work 40+ hours per week--$250.00

  • C) work a regularly planned split shift schedule that overlap weeks that equal or exceed 150 hours per month, not including overtime--$250.00/week

If a client has tested positive for COVID-19, the direct care workers in that facility or home and community-based setting, will receive an enhanced payment as follows:

  • A) work 1-19 hours per week--$125.00

  • B) work 20-39 hours per week--$250.00

  • C) work 40+ hours per week--$500.00

  • D) work a regularly planned split shift schedule that overlap weeks that equal or exceed 150 hours per month, not including overtime--$500.00/week

The payments will be made to a facility or agency providers over a period of eight (8) weeks beginning the week of April 5, 2020 and ending May 30, 2020. The providers will pass the full net value (gross amount minus applicable taxes) of the payments to the eligible direct care workers.

The payments will be available to Medicaid-enrolled providers who employ or contract with LTSS direct care workers. This includes nursing homes, ARChoices providers, Personal Care providers, Area Agencies on Aging, Assisted Living Facilities, Hospice providers, CES waiver providers for supported living services, and agencies in non-institutional settings for people who get care in their homes and communities.

“Medicaid is the largest payer source of LTSS, which is why this sector was the focus of this particular part of the waiver,” said DHS Secretary Cindy Gillespie. “In other sectors, especially hospitals and hospital-based providers, Medicaid generally represents the smallest percentage of payment and federal legislation is providing significant targeted relief for hospitals."

Governor Hutchinson has also directed that DHS develop a similar care continuity payment package for non-physician direct care workers in hospital settings that can be presented to the state task force overseeing COVID-19- specific funding that the still will receive.

DHS will send instructions to the providers on how to submit a claim on behalf of their eligible workers. DHS will update its providers as the situation evolves.

Governor’s Office Media Contact: Press Shop (press@governor.arkansas.gov)
DHS Media Contact: Amy Webb, Chief of Communications (Amy.Webb@dhs.arkansas.gov)

If you are not a member of the media and have questions or concerns about COVID-19, you can contact the Arkansas Department of Health at 1-800-803-7847 or visit ar.gov/covid.

COVID-19 Information for Arkansas

Updates from Governor Hutchinson Our state agencies are developing guidance and resources for Arkansans to stay healthy and make informed choices for themselves and their families. These agencies will continue to update their websites with the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.

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Governor Hutchinson Creates Committee To Advise on State’s Post-Peak Response to COVID-19

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the formation of the Governor’s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response. The committee, established by Executive Order 20-17, will identify the criteria to guide public health strategy after Arkansas reaches the peak of COVID-19 cases.

The committee will examine testing capabilities and social distancing protocols and make any recommendations necessary to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19. Dr. Nathaniel Smith, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), will serve as the committee chairman.

Members of the Governor’s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response are:

  • Dr. Nathaniel Smith – Secretary of ADH (Chair)

  • Dr. Jose Romero – ADH Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Pediatric Infectious Disease at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)/Arkansas Children’s Hospital

  • Dr. Naveen Patil – ADH Medical Director for Infectious Disease

  • Dr. Jennifer Dillaha – ADH State Epidemiologist

  • Dr. Austin Porter – ADH Deputy Chief Science Officer and Assistant Professor at the UAMS College of Public Health

  • Dr. Greg Bledsoe – Surgeon General of Arkansas

  • Dr. Jerrilyn Jones – ADH Medical Director for Preparedness and Response and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at UAMS

  • Dr. Sam Greenfield – ADH Medical Director for Family Health and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAMS

The committee will provide its first briefing to the Governor later this week.