Arkansas Senate approves compromise Medicaid plan

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Arkansas Senate approves compromise Medicaid plan
By ANDREW DeMILLO Associated Press
9:35 a.m.Feb. 20, 2014

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Senate has voted to continue the state's compromise Medicaid expansion plan, sending the funding bill for the nationally-watched program to an uncertain fate in the House.

The Senate on Thursday voted 27-8 to reauthorize funding for the "private option" that was approved last year as an alternative to the Medicaid expansion under the federal health care law. Through the private option, Arkansas is using federal Medicaid funds to purchase private insurance for thousands of low-income residents.

The measure needed at least 27 votes in the 35-member Senate.

Its future remains uncertain in the House, where identical legislation has failed twice. The 100-member chamber planned to vote on the proposal Thursday afternoon.


Read more: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/feb/20/arkansas-senate-approves-compromise-medicaid-plan/

[sinkingfeeling]

1. The House GOP isn't going to pass it. So, I'm willing to bet that

the House GOP majority will increase come November. And 85,000 will continue on in their miserable lives without health care and proud to be Southerners.

[okaawhatever]

2. Do you think so? The private option will put a lot of money in insurers pockets. That's a lot of

money they can use to donate to campaigns. The problem with the private option is that for every health care dollar, the recipient will see less benefit because a portion will go to profit.

I know the Republicans don't like the idea of poor people getting insurance, but when there's profit involved they usually change their minds. They probably also see this as a pilot program for other states. Take the federal money and give it to your campaign donors, that's usually a pretty popular option with the GOP.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. The first vote was shy by 5 votes and the one yesterday had even less support.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/97208/arkansas-house-again-votes-down-private-option-68-27?page=all


The House voted 68-27 to reauthorize funding for the "private option," falling seven votes shy of the 75 needed to continue the program. It's the second time the legislation has failed in the House, where the measure fell five votes shy on Tuesday with the same number of members voting against it.