LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers have endorsed Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan to add new restrictions to the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion, a move the Republican governor says will help him negotiate changes to a program providing coverage to more than 200,000 people.
The Health Reform Legislative Task Force voted Wednesday to support Hutchinson's efforts to seek changes in the state's "private option," which uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for low-income residents. Hutchinson has called for renaming and overhauling the program, which was crafted as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health law.
Hutchinson has proposed requiring some beneficiaries pay premiums, asset limits and other restrictions. He said he plans to call a special session next year to take up the changes he negotiates with the federal government.
See Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.