Arkansas public schools taking advantage of federal free-meal program
Fordyce is one of 58 Arkansas school districts and charter schools that allow all students to eat breakfast and lunch for free, thanks to a federal student nutrition program.
ARChoices rule blocked
DHS action on home-care program was 'calculated disobedience' of court order, judge says.
Some working poor may still lose Medicaid under Arkansas’s new work requirements, study finds
Almost one-third of Arkansas Works beneficiaries who today hold a job may still fail to consistently meet the state’s new work requirements after the mandate goes into effect, according to a study released Thursday by the Urban Institute, a liberal-leaning think tank based in Washington D.C.
Prisons go green
Law allows state entities to use future savings to pay for efficiency upgrades.
House and Senate pass legislation to rein in pharmacy benefit managers
On Wednesday, both chambers of the Arkansas legislature approved identical versions of a bill to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, the powerful health care companies at the center of a dispute over cuts in reimbursements paid to pharmacists. Governor Hutchinson…
Committee approves bill to regulate pharmacy benefit managers over objections of conservative group
On Tuesday morning, a legislative committee overwhelmingly approved a bill that would allow the Arkansas Insurance Department to regulate pharmacy benefit managers and require PBMs to obtain licenses to do business in the state. House Bill 1010 now heads…
Congressman asks regulators to slow CVS/Aetna merger, citing Arkansas pharmacy controversy
On Thursday, U.S. Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) sent letters to federal regulators stating his “grave concern” over the proposed acquisition of Aetna, Inc., one of the nation’s largest insurance companies, by CVS Health, a Rhode Island-based health care conglomerate that has been at the center of a political showdown in Arkansas.
Departing from years past, state House quickly passes Arkansas Works
On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives voted 79-15 to approve the budget for Arkansas Works, the Medicaid-funded program that provides health insurance to 285,000 Arkansans.
Arkansas Works budget passes Senate as two Republicans flip to ‘yes’
On Tuesday, the state Senate narrowly approved another year of funding for Arkansas Works, the program providing health care coverage to some 285,000 low-income adults through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.
Trump administration approves work requirement for Arkansas Works beneficiaries
Governor says Arkansas will be first to roll out Medicaid work requirement.
State attorney general joins another suit to undo Obamacare, including Arkansas Works
Arkansas has joined another federal lawsuit seeking an end to the Affordable Care Act, state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced late Monday afternoon.
Special legislative session could make Arkansas first to regulate pharmacy benefit managers
On Monday afternoon, Governor Hutchinson said he would call a special session of the Arkansas legislature to address low reimbursement rates provided to pharmacies by middleman companies called pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs.