Arkansas Health Department Secures $13.3 Million for Health Data Infrastructure

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Published February 5th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Arkansas Department of Health has secured $13.3 million in federal funding to expand its statewide health data infrastructure. This investment, supported by Senator John Boozman, will improve data sharing, telehealth services, and electronic medical record modernization across healthcare facilities in Arkansas.

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What changed

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) announced on February 5, 2026, that it has secured $13.3 million in federal funding to enhance its statewide health data infrastructure. This funding, facilitated by Senator John Boozman, is designated for projects aimed at improving data sharing, telehealth services, provider connectivity, and electronic medical record modernization. The investment will support the acquisition of new technology and upgrades to the state's health information exchange, SHARE, with a particular focus on central and northwest Arkansas.

This funding represents a significant investment in modernizing healthcare systems within Arkansas. While this is an announcement of secured funding rather than a new regulation, healthcare providers in Arkansas, especially those in rural areas, may see improvements in their ability to share data and utilize telehealth services. The ADH will likely be coordinating with various healthcare facilities to implement these upgrades, which could lead to better care coordination, reduced testing duplication, and expanded access to care. No specific compliance actions are required for regulated entities based on this announcement, but awareness of these infrastructure improvements is beneficial.

Source document (simplified)

Arkansas Department of Health Secures $13.3 Million to Expand Statewide Health Data Infrastructure: Investment Comes Thanks To Sen. Boozman’s Support

Arkansas Department of Health
February 5, 2026

Little Rock, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has secured $13.3 million in federal funding thanks to Senator John Boozman’s (R-AR) work on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026. This investment is aimed at supporting transformation projects to improve data sharing, telehealth services, provider connectivity, and electronic medical record modernization across hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities in Arkansas, with emphasis on central and northwest areas of the state.

“Modern healthcare depends on modern systems, and this $13.3 million investment uses best-inclass technology to help close the gap between patients and providers – no matter where they live,” said Governor Sanders. “By strengthening telehealth, provider connectivity, and health data systems, we’re supporting rural hospitals and clinics while improving healthcare delivery statewide. I’m thankful for Senator John Boozman and the Arkansas congressional delegation for securing this funding and delivering real results for our state.”

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., who championed the funding as part of several Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Arkansas, said the funding will help strengthen healthcare access and efficiency across the state.

“This investment will help modernize and strengthen Arkansas’s healthcare infrastructure, which is key to making quality care accessible in every corner of the state,” said Boozman. “I was proud to secure this funding to bolster public health, enhance the systems our medical community relies on, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly to deliver lasting benefits for Arkansans.”

The funding will support the acquisition of clinical practice technology, remote patient health tools, telehealth hardware and software, and electronic medical record upgrades, and will also support enhancements to the Arkansas State Health Alliance for Record Exchange (SHARE), the state’s official health information exchange. These tools will improve healthcare coordination for patients, eliminate duplicative testing, bolster partnerships between hospitals and community providers, and strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure. Better-connected healthcare data will help reduce costs, improve health outcomes, and expand access to care for people across the state.

“Arkansas is demonstrating how smart, coordinated investments in health data can improve care delivery, strengthen public health, and better serve communities across our state,” Secretary of Health Renee Mallory said.

About SHARE: The Arkansas State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) is Arkansas’ official health information exchange. Operated by the Arkansas Department of Health, SHARE enables the secure exchange of health data to improve healthcare delivery and public health across Arkansas.

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