HJAR Jan/Feb 2022

32 JAN / FEB 2022 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID COLUMN MEDICAID shape statewide goals, suggest solutions for common problems, redirect agency focus and resources, and make programs more ac- cessible and equitable,” she said. “Those are some of the things we believe the Medicaid Client Voice Council can accomplish here in Arkansas as well.” While the providers of healthcare services and programs often have a voice or a seat at the table in the decision-making process, the MCVC is an effort to give those who use and benefit from those same programs and ser- vices similar input. For example, the council in Colorado helped shape the statewide goals for the Office of Early Childhood. It gave in- put to the Division of Youth Services’ Family Bill of Rights and Family Handbook, and it guided accessibility changes to improve the TheArkansas Department of Human Ser- vices will launch the inaugural Medicaid Cli- ent Voice Council (MCVC) in early 2022. The MCVC will, in its first year, consist of 15 mem- bers from across the state. In 2023, the MCVC plans to expand to 30 members. The main requirement for membership is that council members use at least one Med- icaid-funded programor have a familymem- ber who participates in a Medicaid program. Such programs include traditional Medicaid, ARKids, Medicaid waivers, dental care, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsi- bilityAct (TEFRA), autismservices, long-term care services, therapy services,ARChoices and more. Over 70 Arkansans have so far applied MEDICAID CLIENT VOICE COUNCIL Set to Bring Clients’ Ideas to the Table A new year will usher in a new opportunity for a group of Arkansans to have more of a say when it comes to the Medicaid-funded programs they use. to serve on the Arkansas MCVC. Members will be selected from each of six regions of the state (Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Central and Pulaski County). An additional three members will be chosen on an at-large basis. In addition to regional diversity, the MCVC will strive to reflect differences in abilities, ages, races, income levels and programs uti- lized. These differences in life experiences among the council members will help pro- duce valuable and useable suggestions and changes. DHS Secretary Cindy Gillespie noted when the council was first announced that the pro- gram mirrors a “similar, successful effort in Colorado.” “Clients in Colorado have been able to help