It's fair to say some Arkies are staunch opponents of the new work requirements for enrollees of Arkansas Works, the state's Medicaid expansion. While we think the requirement is a smart and conservative tweak for a government program that runs the risk of bloat, the online-only reporting system could have proven a problem for a state with rural Internet access issues.
Now, that problem is solved.
While thousands were being taken off the insurance rolls every month, we heard stories of people who desperately wanted to report their work, school or volunteer hours, but were unable because of a lack of Internet access, or maybe just because the state's website got a little glitchy.
We began to wonder if there wasn't an alternative to ensure people who were making an honest effort to follow the rules didn't lose their coverage. Perhaps some individuals with zero Internet access could mail in a form once a month reporting their necessary hours? The state Department of Human Services had a better idea, and we're happy to see it implemented.
Now folks have an alternative to using the website. Starting Wednesday, they'll be able to call a toll-free number and report their work activities or exemption status, the papers say. Enrollees can call the Access Arkansas center at (855) 372-1084 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The state Department of Human Services realized there could have been a problem and smartly rolled out a solution to help people without reliable Internet access. It's a good compromise.
The governor walks a tightrope with Arkansas Works. There are some conservative lawmakers who'd like to see the program gutted, who view it as a financial liability that'll one day overrun our state's budget. But the work requirement was a smart compromise to make this social safety net more palatable to a Legislature that has voted to kill it before. This new hotline might prove good for the whole program in the long run. And it's worth giving a shout-out to DHS for implementing it.
Editorial on 12/17/2018