Picture of health
Arkansas has one of the most restrictive Medicaid programs in the United States. Now, one in four Arkansans is uninsured. Unless pregnant or disabled, childless adults don't qualify for Medicaid, even though they are destitute. Eighty-thousand low-income parents in Arkansas do not qualify for Medicaid. To qualify, parents must be supporting two children on an income of less than $2,996.
The federal government's plan to expand Medicaid subsidies to the states would change that. It would raise income eligibility to 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($15,000 for individuals, $31,800 for a family of four), providing insurance to 211,970 Arkansans ages 18-64 who are currently uninsured. The new limit would help the working poor who, though they are employed — sometimes at more than one job — still can't afford to buy a health insurance policy. The government pays for the extended coverage for the first three years; after that, the state will pick up 10 percent of the cost. Arkansas would save $350,000,000 between 2014 and 2025, according to the state Department of Human Services.
The plan requires legislative approval. Legislators may wish to consult the map here, showing county by county how many Arkansans would benefit from the Affordable Care Act's move to reform Medicaid, before they vote.
Map data via Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Find it and more data at http://bit.ly/ARMedicaid
Speaking of Arkansas Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion
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Open Line
June 13, 2013The line is open. Closing out... /more/
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Competition, the private option, and an under-the-radar policy decision
June 12, 2013My talking head chats with Roby Brock about the "private option" and carrier competition on the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (HIM). /more/
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Attorney General gives okay on "private option" referendum
June 11, 2013Who’s ready to debate the “private option” all over again? Attorney General Dustin McDaniel today approved the popular name and ballot title for a proposed referendum on the healthcare legislation passed by a super-majority in the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe last April. /more/
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Arkansas "private option" remains unique plan for Medicaid expansion
June 10, 2013Health Affairs puts the spotlight on Arkansas and the so-called “private option” for Medicaid expansion.This middle ground or “private option” appears more politically tenable for states led by conservative lawmakers intent on moving more people into the private market. /more/
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Open Line, brought to you by the inspiring leadership of Phil Bryant and Mark Pryor
June 4, 2013The line is open. A few odds and ends... /more/
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Health-insurance marketplace: letters of intent from carriers due today
June 3, 2013Today is a big first test for implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Arkansas, particularly the so-called “private option” for Medicaid expansion. /more/
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How refusing Obamacare hurts the poorest of the poor
May 25, 2013David Ramsey illustrated this point yesterday. If Arkansas's adoption of Obamacare through the so-called private option falls apart, the poorest of the state's poor would be left with no health coverage, while some subsidies would be provided for people with higher income. /more/
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Republicans against healthcare expansion now worried about outcome if expansion doesn't happen
May 24, 2013At the joint committee hearing on the "private option" plan for healthcare expansion, Rep. David Meeks asked about Plan B. "Are we anticipating what we would do if something happens and we don’t get the private option?" /more/
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Details emerge on Arkansas "private option" for Medicaid expansion
May 23, 2013The House and Senate Public Health committees met today to hear updates on the “private option” plan for expanding healthcare coverage. /more/
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Massive resistance to Obamacare produces results
May 16, 2013Sarah Kliff at the Washington Post's Wonkblog disputes those who think serial votes by the U.S. House against Obamacare are meaningless political theater. /more/
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