Department of Health presents tobacco-settlement report and rule changes; committee reviews reportable-disease, controlled-substance and hospital rules

Matt Gilmore of the Arkansas Department of Health presented the 2022 tobacco settlement commission report, noting increases in health-education encounters, clinician continuing-education activities and screenings supported by settlement funds. The department reported leverage funds and volunteer hours amplified program reach and highlighted the Be Well quitline and tobacco-prevention activities.

Kenya Eddings of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission described a 200% increase in health screenings (more than 21,000) in the fiscal year and said the commission's mobile health unit visited all 75 counties, supported tornado-relief response, and partnered with community groups to distribute medical supplies and host community health forums. "Our unit was able to visit all 75 counties at least once this past fiscal year," Eddings said.

Department general counsel Laura Hsu summarized three administrative rules for committee review: updates to the reportable-diseases list (adding nationally notifiable conditions and clarifying blood-lead recommendations), annual updates to Arkansas's controlled-substances list to mirror federal DEA changes and implement Act 629 of 2023, and permanent promulgation of emergency rules establishing a rural emergency hospital licensure type under Act 59 of 2023. The DOH noted public hearings were held and that public comment was minimal or none for the items presented.

Committee members asked questions about program reach and about the DOH's coordination with DHS and other partners; the committee reviewed the report and the rules without objection and recorded the items as "stood reviewed."