Every ring of the pharmacy door reminds me what’s at stake for Arkansas families

Every day, I hear the ding of our pharmacy door as it opens.

Most people probably don’t think much about that sound. But after years of serving patients in my community, I’ve come to see it differently. Behind every prescription, every question, and every conversation is a person trying to take care of themselves or someone they love.

That door opens for expectant mothers with questions about medications during pregnancy. It opens for parents picking up prescriptions for a sick child. It opens for families doing their best to navigate some of life’s most important moments.

As a pharmacist, I’ve spent my career helping Arkansans make informed decisions about their health. As a legislator, I have worked with colleagues to strengthen our healthcare system. And as the father of a young daughter, I understand firsthand the hopes every parent has for their child’s future.

Those experiences have reinforced something I believe deeply: when we invest in moms and babies, we’re investing in the future of Arkansas.

A mother’s access to equitable healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy affects more than a single outcome. We know that healthy moms lead to healthier babies. And when families are supported, we have stronger communities, economy, and ultimately, a stronger Arkansas for the next generation.

Yet, too many families still face barriers to care.

Across our state, access to maternity care has become increasingly difficult, especially for our neighbors in rural communities. As labor and delivery units continue to disappear, many families are forced to travel farther for prenatal and postpartum care. What should be a routine doctor’s visit can become a major logistical challenge involving time off work, transportation, and childcare. This doesn’t even cover the financial stress that comes from less hours on a paystub, gas, and a babysitter to care for other children-significant barriers for so many families living paycheck to paycheck.

I’ve seen firsthand how families often turn to trusted healthcare providers closer to home looking for guidance and support. Independent pharmacies often serve as one of the most accessible points of care in a community. While pharmacists aren’t a replacement for physicians, we are proud to serve as a trusted resource for families to ask questions, receive support, and offer guidance about medications, vaccinations and preventive care quickly and efficiently.

That’s one reason I was proud to support the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act during the 2025 legislative session.

The legislation brought together healthcare providers, business leaders, policymakers, and advocates around a simple goal of helping Arkansas families access the care and support they need and deserve during one of the most important seasons of life. It focused on practical solutions to improve access, strengthen support systems, and help create better outcomes across our state.

What has encouraged me the most is that the work hasn’t stopped since this legislation passed.

Today, Arkansas is helping lead a broader national conversation through Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America. Thanks in part to the leadership of Governor Sarah Sanders and Olivia Walton, ideas that began here at home are gaining momentum across the United States.

As I celebrated my sixth Father’s Day this past Sunday, I found myself thinking about the kind of Arkansas my daughter will inherit.

Like every parent, I want her to grow up healthy, safe, and surrounded by opportunity. And if she chooses to become a mother one day, I want her to have access to the care, resources and support she deserves.

That’s what this work is really about — making sure families don’t have to navigate pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery alone, and strengthening the support systems that help children get the healthiest possible start in life.

As dads, we know there are moments when we can’t fix every problem ourselves. But we can show up, we can support and advocate for the people we love, and we can help build communities that do the same. This Father’s Day season, I hope we take a moment to reflect on the responsibility we share to help the next generation thrive.

Every time I hear that pharmacy door open, I’m reminded that behind every question and healthcare decision is a family working to build a better future for their child.

Those families deserve our support — not just on Father’s Day, but every day.

Editor’s note: Rep. Brandon Achor, R-Maumelle, represents House District 71 in Maumelle. The opinions expressed are those of the author.