Heartland Institute Drives Major Healthcare Reform in Arkansas
Springdale, Monday, 10 February 2025.
The Heartland Whole Health Institute is leading efforts in Northwest Arkansas to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility by 2030, supported by major investments and partnerships.
Strategic Partnerships and Investment
The initiative is backed by a substantial $700 million, 30-year partnership that brings together the Alice Walton Foundation, Mercy hospital system, and Cleveland Clinic [1]. Both the Alice Walton Foundation and Mercy are contributing $350 million each to drive healthcare improvements [1]. This comprehensive approach comes at a crucial time, as Northwest Arkansas’s population is projected to reach nearly 1 million residents by 2030 [1], creating an urgent need for expanded healthcare services.
Addressing Critical Healthcare Challenges
Arkansas currently faces significant healthcare challenges, including the nation’s highest maternal mortality rate and the lowest healthcare provider reimbursement rates in the country [1][2]. The state’s healthcare landscape is particularly concerning, with approximately 35,000 pregnancies annually and 10,000 women not receiving care until after their first trimester [2]. A striking 45.3% of Arkansas counties are designated as maternity healthcare deserts [2], highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Innovative Solutions and Implementation
The Institute is implementing several groundbreaking initiatives to address these challenges. A new cardiac care center is being constructed on Mercy’s campus in Rogers, Arkansas [1], while mobile health units, launched in mid-2024, are being expanded to reach more communities [2]. The upcoming Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, set to welcome its first class of 48 students in summer 2025, will help address the physician workforce shortage [1]. Additionally, UAMS is planning to train between 60-100 doulas in 2025 to support community healthcare needs [2].
Long-term Vision and Impact
Walter Harris, CEO of the Heartland Whole Health Institute, emphasizes that this transformation is ‘not a sprint but a long-term marathon’ [1]. The Institute is promoting a value-based care model to improve healthcare efficiency and reduce costs [1]. Recent developments include Governor Sarah Sanders’ unveiling of a maternal health care package on February 6, 2025 [2], and the implementation of ‘preemptive eligibility’ Medicaid changes to enable earlier health risk detection for expectant mothers [2].