State still awaiting federal approval on Medicaid expansion changes
Officials face challenging transition to impose work requirements and reduce eligibility.
Governor urges congressional fix to health care subsidies
But he also promises Arkansas Works costs will remain stable in 2018.
In backing Obamacare repeal bill, governor would trade billions of dollars for more state flexibility
On Sept. 19, Governor Hutchinson endorsed the so-called Graham-Cassidy health care bill and urged the U.S. Senate to approve the partisan legislation before a Sept. 30 deadline makes its passage effectively impossible. The governor called the bill — sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) — the nation’s “last, best chance to repeal the Affordable Care Act.”
Kids in isolation: locked away in Dermott
Critics raise concerns about confining kids alone at juvenile facilities. Part two of a two-part series.
Kids in isolation: locked away in Alexander
Critics raise concerns about confining kids alone at juvenile facilities. Part one of a two-part series.
DHS reshuffles to create ‘one-stop shop’ for Medicaid providers
On Thursday, Arkansas Department of Human Services Director Cindy Gillespie announced an internal reorganization of the DHS that will shift 171 employees to a newly created division, impact more than 40 DHS contracts and streamline the agency’s oversight of thousands of Medicaid providers across the state.
Arkansas has backlog of 11,000 requests for vital records
Online requests for birth and death certificates estimated to take 75 to 90 days.
Governor: Youth lockups will return to private operator next year
On Monday, Governor Hutchinson announced seven juvenile treatment and correctional facilities taken over by the Arkansas Department of Human Services on Jan. 1 will be placed back in private control as soon as next July. By the end of the year, the governor said, the state will issue a solicitation for one or more contractors to operate the youth lockups, with the winner or winners likely to be announced in March.
No end in sight of state control of youth lockups
After a surprise takeover last year, the state will remain in control of juvenile facilities for at least another year, DYS says.
Senate bill imperils rural health care, hospital leaders warn
In the four years since Arkansas chose to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, Harris Medical Center in Newport has seen its “bad debt” — bills left unpaid by patients — cut in half.
Governor: Senate health care bill must do more to help Arkansans
At a Thursday press conference at the state Capitol, Governor Hutchinson argued for changing three critical components of the health care legislation introduced last week by fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate, the Better Care Reconciliation Act.
Proposed Medicaid cuts could impact coverage for 400,000 Arkansas children
Like similar legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May, the new Senate bill would also institute major cuts to the traditional Medicaid program, potentially affecting coverage for millions of children, elderly people and disabled adults nationwide.