(a)

(1) As used in this section, "Arkansas red counties" means those counties in which Arkansans who were born and are living have a life expectancy rate six (6) to ten (10) times less than the life expectancy of Arkansans who were born and are living in the county with the highest life expectancy.

(2) "Arkansas red counties" includes on the effective date of this subchapter:

(A) Arkansas;

(B) Chicot;

(C) Crittenden;

(D) Cross;

(E) Dallas;

(F) Desha;

(G) Fulton;

(H) Jackson;

(I) Jefferson;

(J) Mississippi;

(K) Monroe;

(L) Ouachita;

(M) Perry;

(N) Phillips;

(O) Poinsett;

(P) St. Francis;

(Q) Sevier;

(R) Union; and

(S) Woodruff.

(b) The General Assembly finds:

(1) It is unacceptable for Arkansans born and living in one part of the state to have a life expectancy rate six (6) to ten (10) years less than Arkansans born and living in another part of the state;

(2) Complex factors operating at the levels of individuals, interpersonal networks, organizations, or communities influence disparities in health and healthcare; and

(3) Health and healthcare disparities not only are unacceptable, but also have human, economic, social, and developmental costs that affect all residents of the nation and the State of Arkansas.

(c)

(1) Each state agency, board, and commission that receives state dollars or tobacco settlement funds intended to improve the quality of health in Arkansas is encouraged to provide its programs, services, and research in Arkansas red counties.

(2) Identified agencies, boards, and commissions whose scope of services encompasses the Arkansas red counties include without limitation, the:

(A) Arkansas Center for Health Improvement;

(B) Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality;

(C) Department of Health;

(D) Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;

(E) Area Agencies on Aging;

(F) Arkansas Biosciences Institute of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;

(G) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; and

(H) Partners for Inclusive Communities of the University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

(3)

(A) The entities listed in subdivision (c)(2) of this section shall submit an annual report to the chair of the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, the chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, and the Governor to be delivered on or before October 1 of each year.

(B) The annual report required under subdivision (c)(3)(A) of this section shall include without limitation a section that:

(i) Describes services, programs, research, or any combination of services, programs, and research provided in the Arkansas red counties during the previous fiscal years;

(ii) Accounts for expenditures, services, programs, research, or any combination of services, programs, and research provided in the Arkansas red counties during the previous fiscal year; and

(iii) Provides recommendations toward improving health and healthcare in Arkansas red counties.

(d) The following entities shall work together to identify the red counties most in need of help with mortality disparities and shall make that data available to the public:

(1) The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement;

(2) The Arkansas Minority Health Commission;

(3) The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality;

(4) The Department of Health; and

(5) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.