Author: Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson

A cautionary tale about private equity and healthcare

This summer the state’s healthcare industry suffered its first visible bruise from the clenched fists of private equity. Two hospitals serving Arkansas residents, Wadley Regional Medical Center facilities in Hope…

Loss of labor and delivery services at rural hospitals raises risk for Arkansas moms

After learning of the impending closure of the maternity ward at a rural hospital in his state, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden of Oregon introduced a bill last week that…

Innovation fuel needed to ensure Arkansas moms survive and thrive

Although I haven’t birthed a baby, I am a dad who has been at my wife’s side during two very emotional and tense deliveries for the births of my sons….

Medicare Advantage plans come with advantages, pitfalls

Just when the political ads have all but disappeared after the election this November, you will be bombarded with Medicare Advantage ads as open enrollment in the U.S. nears once…

Attacks on healthcare workers more common than you might think

If you have been to a clinic or a hospital recently, you may have noticed newly posted signs that read: “We respect you. Please respect our staff. Attacking a healthcare…

The Affordable Care Act: A Look Back

Ten years ago this month, the major parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became effective. Two of the biggest were the availability of healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion for low-income adults…

Surge in virtual care brings increased privacy risks

In September, Costco became the latest retailer to venture into virtual primary care, offering its members $29 telehealth visits, $72 standard lab panels with consult, and $79 virtual therapy visits….

Medicaid rolls to dwindle with unwinding; successful transitions to other coverage vital

Medicaid enrollment in Arkansas exceeded 1.1 million enrollees during the pandemic due to increased need and federal restrictions on disenrollment by states during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In return for agreeing to…

The health care landscape: Looking back at 2022 and ahead to 2023

The year 2022 is behind us, and although we began last year hoping for a gradual return to normal after two years in a public health emergency, we continue to…

It’s not just inflation, hidden grocery industry practices can also harm consumers

Like many of you, I am feeling the pinch of inflation at the grocery store these days. I understand at a basic level why I am seeing higher prices for…

Need to invest in school nurses, counselors greater now than ever

When I was a kid, the major duties of the school nurse, as far as I knew, were to patch up a skinned knee after recess, take the temperature of…

Staffing, cost issues make for uncertain prognosis for Arkansas health care providers

The COVID-19 pandemic has put extreme stress on our health care workforce, resulting in burnout, exhaustion and trauma, and leading many workers to exit the industry. Critical staffing shortages during…

Lyon College’s dental school plan is cause to smile, inspiration to persevere on access challenges

As an alum of Lyon College, I was admittedly surprised at the college’s recent announcement of its intent to establish a dental school in Little Rock as part of a…

While student loan debt grabs spotlight, medical debt looms large

As the debate swirls around the potential for student loan debt forgiveness, a lesser-recognized but nonetheless persistent form of debt — medical debt — is getting a lot of attention…

Arkansas Medicaid worked as designed in pandemic, faces challenges coming out of emergency

I’ve read a lot of columns recently that begin with the phrase, “If there’s one hard lesson we’ve learned from the pandemic ….” Well, this is not one of those…

45 is the new 50 (for colorectal cancer screening)

I’ve got a date this summer. It’s not a date about which I’m terribly excited. In fact, I’m not looking forward to it at all, but I know it’s my…

When it comes to medical bills, no one likes surprises

I’m not really much on surprises, although I do like the kind when you find some cash in a jacket that you haven’t worn in months. Opinions on surprises such…

Let’s get physical: Resolving to invest in health at the individual and community levels

Just before the pandemic started in March 2020, I made one very poor decision ― getting rid of a large, infrequently used desk — and one excellent decision — purchasing…

Health care providers have an extra ball to juggle: patients’ unmet social needs

My first job after graduating college was as a reporter for a newspaper in a rural Arkansas town. A few months into my tenure, the editor graciously but perhaps unwisely…

Don’t build a market with plans to tear it down

Resistance to the Affordable Care Act remains strong in 12 holdout states, where policymakers have declined to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income residents, despite the availability of lucrative incentives included…