LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Senate has voted to tell thousands of people enrolled in the state's compromise Medicaid expansion their coverage is ending, even though a legislative task force hasn't issued its recommendations on the program's future.
The bill approved by the Senate on a 21-7 vote Monday requires the state to send notices to those covered by the state's "private option" that the program is ending Dec. 31, 2016. The private option uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for low income residents.
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson last month signed into law legislation continuing the program another year while a task force looks at alternatives for coverage. The task force's recommendations are due by the end of the year.
The bill heads back to the House for a final vote.