Private philanthropy is alive and well in Arkansas. We’re happy to note that B. Thomas Golisano and his Golisano Foundation have given $50 million to Arkansas Children’s – the largest single gift in the hospital system’s history. Arkansas Children’s deserves all the support that the public can provide. That said, we acknowledge that we may be the only people in the world trolling Arkansas Children’s online. When we spot news from Children’s on X or elsewhere that touts new programs, services or campuses in Little Rock, NWA or Jonesboro, we post a response like, “That’s great news. Looking forward to Arkansas Children’s new facility in South Arkansas.” Our regular readers know that Magnolians having to make 250-mile round trips to Little Rock for advanced medical treatment, and killing a day or even two in the process, drives us out of our freaking mind. We’re not in a position to tell Arkansas Children’s how it should spend its own money. But we do advocate for South Arkansas and its needs. And we need more pediatric health services closer to home. CLICK HERE to see the story about Golisano’s gift.
Speaking of medical care close to home, we recommend that you read our current lead story, written by Tess Vrbin of Arkansas Advocate. She writes about Arkansas’ shortage of maternity wards, noting that more children are being born in ambulances enroute to one of the scattered birthing hospitals in South Arkansas. Vrbin quotes extensively Amanda Warren-Newton, president of the Arkansas Ambulance Association and owner of Columbia County Ambulance Service. Paramedics are perfectly qualified to deliver babies in an emergency but everyone agrees that an ambulance is not the preferred option. And, notes Vrbin, “Medicaid reimburses ambulance companies at far lower than the actual cost of services, making it financially difficult for paramedics to serve rural areas.” CLICK HERE to read the story.
At least some of the solutions to South Arkansas’ health care access problems are political. Steve Crowell, Lane Jean, Wade Andrews and soon, Beth Anne Rankin Baker, this is your baby, as it were.
Ten years ago, we reported that the auditorium at Southern Arkansas University’s Wharton Nursing Building was renamed “Sturgis Auditorium,” recognizing a gift to the university from the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Education Trust. CLICK HERE to read the story.
Two words: Corn casserole.
Cold this morning, in the lower 20s.
Mike McNeill is publisher and editor of magnoliareporter.com. Email him at news@magnoliareporter.com or call him at 870-904-3865. Opinions expressed in this column are his own.
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