House lawmakers on Friday declined to re-authorize an appropriation for Arkansas' Medicaid expansion program, days after a federal judge struck down the program's work requirement.
The vote fell well short of the three-quarters majority needed to pass the more than $8 billion appropriation, Senate Bill 99. Only 52 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill after a string of speakers asked for more time to consider the implications of the judge's ruling.
SB 99 included funding for both the state's traditional Medicaid program, as well as the expansion to people earning up to 138 percent of the poverty level, known as "Arkansas Works."
"Why is this appropriation not being amended at all now that we know the work requirement piece is out of it," asked state Rep. Grant Hodges, R- Rogers.
State Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, the co-chair of the Legislature's Joint Budget Committee, said that it was the decision of House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, to run SB99 on Friday in order to gauge its level of support.
Jean offered assurances to lawmakers that the Department of Human Services has the money to cover an estimated $20 million shortfall in the budget if an appeal of the work requirement ruling is not successful.
Following the vote, Shepherd told reporters that the House would take up the appropriations bill again next week, possibly on Monday or Tuesday.
"I'm still optimistic," Shepherd said. "We all know, anytime this appropriation comes up, its going to be a bit of a challenge."
In a statement, Gov. Asa Hutchinson expressed similar optimism.
"Some House members still have questions" regarding Wednesday's work requirement ruling, the governor's statement said. "That's to be expected. I expect a second vote next week, and I trust the bill will pass."
Lawmakers are expected to meet for a few more weeks in their ongoing session. The Medicaid appropriation voted down Friday covers the fiscal year beginning on July 1.
Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.