LITTLE ROCK, AR — In a packed room of spectators, supporters of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s healthcare plan made their case.
“This is what we in the legislature and the state of Arkansas have been pushing for years,” said Rep. Joe Farrer (R – Austin).
The SB96 would create a task force to chart a new path for healthcare — finding ways to cover the poor, modernize Medicaid delivery and promote healthy living.
“We can form a different healthcare program for Arkansas that works for us,” Farrer said.
But skeptical members of the committee peppered supporters with questions, asking whether the private option is really winding down under the plan if the number of people enrolled continues to grow.
“I don’t think our Republican leadership is in line with the sentiment of the conservative common sense voters of the state of Arkansas,” said Rep. John Miller (R – Heber Springs).
By allowing the private option to continue for two years, Miller says some in his party are not fulfilling campaign promises to end it.
“This is not opposing it,” he said.
The program currently insures about 210-thousand people. Opponents worry about how much that will cost the state.
The task force will look into federal block grants to allow flexibility in forging a new coverage plan, but that too would likely involve some state money.
“The federal government would want the states to have some skin in the game,” said committee chair Rep. Kelley Linck.
Both the bill creating the task force and a bill appropriating money to fund the Private Option for another year are expected to be voted on by the full House on Thursday.
“This is what we in the legislature and the state of Arkansas have been pushing for years,” said Rep. Joe Farrer (R – Austin).
The SB96 would create a task force to chart a new path for healthcare — finding ways to cover the poor, modernize Medicaid delivery and promote healthy living.
“We can form a different healthcare program for Arkansas that works for us,” Farrer said.
But skeptical members of the committee peppered supporters with questions, asking whether the private option is really winding down under the plan if the number of people enrolled continues to grow.
“I don’t think our Republican leadership is in line with the sentiment of the conservative common sense voters of the state of Arkansas,” said Rep. John Miller (R – Heber Springs).
By allowing the private option to continue for two years, Miller says some in his party are not fulfilling campaign promises to end it.
“This is not opposing it,” he said.
The program currently insures about 210-thousand people. Opponents worry about how much that will cost the state.
The task force will look into federal block grants to allow flexibility in forging a new coverage plan, but that too would likely involve some state money.
“The federal government would want the states to have some skin in the game,” said committee chair Rep. Kelley Linck.
Both the bill creating the task force and a bill appropriating money to fund the Private Option for another year are expected to be voted on by the full House on Thursday.
