Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin announced a Piggot man, Mikel Rios (35), pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud and was sentenced to probation, fines, and $4,273.75 restitution after billing for personal care services allegedly not provided. Hospital Pressure, Local Response: Baxter Health says it’s adding cardiology, cancer care, and OB-GYN services while vowing to stay independent as Arkansas hospitals face low Medicare payments and operating losses. New Care Access in Rural Arkansas: Baxter Health nurse practitioner Amanda Winford is now seeing patients at the Salem clinic (Tuesdays/Thursdays), offering women’s health and hormone therapy. UAM Wellness Expansion: UAM received a $500,000 Windgate Foundation grant to create the Weevil Wellness Center with behavioral health, urgent care, and family practice services. Healthcare Integrity in Labs: A North Little Rock pathology lab and owners agreed to a $30M settlement with the U.S. over alleged kickbacks tied to medically unnecessary testing. Medicare GLP-1 Cost Relief (Regional): A new Medicare pilot aims to cap certain GLP-1 weight-loss meds at $50/month for eligible patients. Student Mental Health Focus: A local op-ed highlights Arkansas’ high childhood trauma rates and urges schools to expand mental health support for students. Workforce Pipeline: High schoolers in Arkansas got hands-on medical career exposure through NYITCOM’s Project H.E.A.R.T.