Free State Arkansas: Rep. Lee Johnson

Episode notes

From the ER to the State Capitol — Arkansas Rep. Dr. Lee Johnson joins Free Arkansas for a wide-ranging, no-nonsense look at the state of healthcare in Arkansas.📉 Arkansas ranks 47th in overall healthcare — and Dr. Johnson explains exactly why. From sky-high obesity and smoking rates to rural hospital closures and critical provider shortages, we break down the root causes and what can be done.💡 Topics include:Why Arkansas can’t retain rural hospitals — and what local communities are doing to keep them afloatThe shortage of both specialists and primary care physicians across the state1.2 million Arkansans are on Medicaid, but 145,000 don’t even have an assigned doctorDr. Johnson’s thoughts on Ozempic, preventive care, PBMs, training reforms, and how AI might shake up the systemCommon-sense health reforms that could make a difference now📍Whether you're a policymaker, patient, or just trying to make sense of Arkansas’ broken healthcare system, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.