kristi putnam

Valencia White, right, talks about her concerns about Medicaid during an event Friday in Little Rock.

Arkansas Medicaid recipients seek DHS response to feedback, more time to confirm eligibility

BY: - March 24, 2023

Medicaid recipients who are concerned about losing coverage soon did not let Friday’s pouring rain stop them from gathering in front of the Department of Human Services’ headquarters in downtown Little Rock. Three attendees carried umbrellas with the message “Don’t leave us waiting in the rain” painted on them. The small crowd chanted “What do […]

Sanders: Arkansas will seek federal OK for new Medicaid work requirement

BY: - February 15, 2023

This story was updated at 10:40 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2023. Arkansas is seeking a waiver from the federal government in order to require adult Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, go to school or receive workforce training in order to receive certain health care coverage, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam […]

The Arkansas Department of Human Services building on Main Street in downtown Little Rock. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas Human Services nominee called quick learner, “unflappable” leader

BY: - January 10, 2023

Kristi Putnam entered Kentucky state government in 2016 as an executive assistant in the state’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, but she was really “an ambassador without a portfolio,” Kentucky Youth Advocates executive director Terry Brooks said. “It was one of those [roles] where you knew she was brought in to sort of be […]