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House adds Alzheimer's treatment to state employee and teacher health plans
Summary
House Bill 10‑55 passed the House 74‑10‑5 to require coverage for new therapies that can slow Alzheimer's progression under state and public school insurance plans; proponents said the treatments could keep employees on the job and avoid institutionalization, while critics urged review by the benefits committee.
The Arkansas House on April 2025 approved House Bill 10‑55, a measure requiring coverage under the state and public school life and health insurance program for treatments that slow progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Representative Mayberry, sponsor of the bill, said the measure aims to give state employees and school employees access to newly available therapies; the House passed the bill by recorded ballot, 74 yeas, 10 nays and 5 present.
Mayberry told colleagues that a new class of medicines — described in committee testimony as removing amyloid plaque from the brain in early Alzheimer's — had become available and was not automatically covered for state or school employees. She argued coverage could enable a teacher diagnosed in mid‑career to remain on the job and complete years of service needed for retirement.
Opponents urged caution over costs and urged the established review process be followed. Representative Wardlaw said Arkansas had experienced large swings in the state insurance fund in the past when expensive drugs were added by statute and recommended that the drug review committee (EBD/EBRX) perform evidence‑based review before a legislative mandate. Wardlaw noted an earlier 2018 fiscal impact and the need to preserve program solvency.
Supporters pointed to individual stories and testimony from patients and families who had seen benefit from the therapy and said early access could reduce downstream spending on institutional care.
The House approved the bill in a recorded vote of 74‑10‑5. The bill advances to the Senate; the sponsor said the coverage will be limited to patients who meet clinical eligibility (early‑stage disease) and that utilization review will apply.
Why it matters: The bill addresses access to a newly available and costly Alzheimer's treatment, balancing potential patient benefit and workforce retention against the program's fiscal health. The debate highlighted the standing drug‑review process and past budgetary impacts when lawmakers mandated coverage for high‑cost therapies.
Formal action: Passage of House Bill 10‑55 — recorded vote 74‑10‑5.
