by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/3/2013 02:08 pm
The partnership Gov. Mike Beebe has boasted having with the Arkansas Legislature is turning more into a love-hate relationship under Republican control. They're not sworn enemies, but not exactly best friends either. They're more like frenemies.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 3/3/2013 02:05 pm
Republican legislators who had resisted expanding Medicaid in Arkansas say they're encouraged by a new plan that would allow funds from the federal-state program to purchase private insurance for the newly eligible, but say they need more details on how such a system would work.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/17/2013 05:08 pm
What happened to the Medicaid session? Despite all the talk before lawmakers gathered at the Arkansas Capitol that Medicaid's finances and future would overshadow just about every other issue, there's been scant attention paid to the $5 billion program and efforts to expand it under the federal health care law
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/11/2013 01:45 pm
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says he's opposed to delaying a vote on expanding Medicaid's eligibility until next year's session, but says he won't rush lawmakers on when to consider the issue. Beebe says he faces an uphill fight in getting the three-fourths vote needed for expansion to pass.
by Lance Turner 2/8/2013 01:37 pm
You can download the PDF of the complete state Division of Legislative Audit report on Arkansas' Medicaid program right here.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/4/2013 12:28 pm
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Bill Halter says Arkansas lawmakers have a chance to advance health care in the state as they weigh whether to expand Medicaid's eligibility under the federal health law.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 2/3/2013 12:08 pm
A veiled reference to a "superproject" took up only a couple of sentences when Gov. Mike Beebe laid out his legislative agenda for 2013 last month. Now that it's been revealed as a $1.1 billion steel mill, it has altered the agenda for this year's session.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 1/31/2013 03:01 pm
Arkansas Medicaid officials say they're no longer proposing cuts to nursing home care and three other areas after lowering the program's expected shortfall to $61 million. The state Department of Human Services last year had predicted a $138 million shortfall in the program.
by Andrew DeMillo 1/15/2013 12:37 pm
Gov. Mike Beebe urged skeptical Republicans to not sacrifice Arkansas' share of federal dollars by rejecting an expansion of its Medicaid program, saying in his final "state of the state" address Tuesday that doing so would jeopardize the health of their neighbors back home.
by Andrew DeMillo 1/14/2013 01:29 pm
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says there won't be any major surprises in his address to the Arkansas Legislature as it begins this year's session. Beebe says his speech to the House and Senate will focus on the top issues such as Medicaid, tax cuts and his $4.9 billion budget proposal.
by Andrew DeMillo 1/14/2013 07:33 am
Leaders of the Arkansas House and Senate say most questions about the state budget, tax cut proposals or a possible special session depend on how legislators address a Medicaid program that already receives nearly one out of every five tax dollars the state receives in its general revenue budget.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 1/13/2013 02:11 pm
The Arkansas Legislature convenes Monday for its regular legislative session. Here's a rundown about the lawmakers, the issues they'll face and how to track developments.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 1/13/2013 02:06 pm
From decisions over whether to expand Medicaid to proposals to further restrict abortions, there's a long list of issues on the agenda for the 89th General Assembly.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 1/13/2013 02:01 pm
When the 89th General Assembly gavels in for this year's session Monday, it'll mark the last chance for Gov. Mike Beebe to make his mark legislatively on a state after serving six years in office. Barring a special session or unless he tries to push for non-budget items in next year's fiscal session, the legislative agenda Beebe lays out this week will be his last as governor.
by Andrew DeMillo 1/7/2013 01:32 pm
The incoming leaders of the Arkansas House and Senate say they don't see any rush to consider expanding Medicaid's eligibility under the federal health care law and say they'll do whatever it takes to avoid cuts to the program proposed to fill a shortfall in its budget.
by Andrew DeMillo 1/3/2013 10:21 am
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says he'd prefer that legislators consider whether to expand Medicaid eligibility during this year's regular session rather than return to the Capitol later this year to consider it separately.
by Andrew DeMillo 1/2/2013 04:23 pm
The incoming president of the Arkansas Senate says he believes lawmakers can find common ground on proposals to expand the state's Medicaid program and cut taxes.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 12/27/2012 01:01 pm
In an interview with The Associated Press, Davy Carter, the incoming speaker of the Arkansas House, says he wants lawmakers to have a greater say in the state's budget between the end of the regular session and the start of the fiscal session.
by Mark Friedman 12/24/2012 12:00 am
Arkansas health officials and hospitals are trying to lower the state's percentage of cesarean section births, which are nearly double the cost of a vaginal birth.
by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press 12/13/2012 02:09 pm
Arkansas Republicans denounced "Obamacare" during this year's election campaign and called for its repeal. But now that they've won control of the Legislature for the first time in 138 years, GOP lawmakers are considering expanding government health care in Arkansas.
