Representative Matthew Overcast is a Republican from Ava in the southeastern part of the state. He was elected in November 2024 and represents Douglas, Stone, Taney and Ozark counties, which includes some of the most rural and lowest income areas of the state.

He said he expected rural health care to be a major issue for his constituents, but he was surprised how many people in his district — and across the state — want to talk about alpha-gal syndrome.

"It's a bipartisan bill. I had Democrats that supported it and Republicans that supported it. I would say even the federal legislation is the same way. Ticks don't care what your political party is."

Representative Matthew Overcast, R-Ava

“It is by far and large, of all things that I filed and all the things I've done, it’s what I get t

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