Hutchinson: I’ve Struck Right Balance with Effort to Retain Expansion

The Arkansas Capitol building in Little Rock.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the criticism he’s facing from both sides on his push to keep the state’s hybrid Medicaid expansion is an indication he’s struck the right balance.

Speaking to a joint session of the Legislature at the start of the special session on Wednesday, the Republican governor urged lawmakers to approve his plan to rework the hybrid expansion that uses federal funds to purchase private insurance for the poor. 

Hutchinson noted he’s faced criticism from some who say the restrictions go too far, while some Republicans have said he didn’t push hard enough for more changes to the program covering more than 250,000 people.

Hutchinson said his proposal, dubbed “Arkansas Works,” provides key reforms to the expansion program, currently knowns as the private option, and will allow participants to move up the economic ladder.

During his speech, Hutchinson cited unnamed Arkansans who have benefited from the program. He also cited other instances where legislators met in special session to meet key challenges, including the state Supreme Court’s Lakeview schools ruling and the shortfall in the public school employee insurance fund. 

Hutchinson called the debate over the future of the hybrid Medicaid expansion a “watershed” moment for the state.

The governor also read part of a letter he received from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell. Hutchinson said the letter was another indication that the department, which oversees national health reform, would approve the necessary waivers Hutchinson’s “Arkansas Works” program requires.

Arkansas’ private option program was created three years ago as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health law and has sharply divided Republicans, who control both chambers of the Legislature.

Earlier in the day, House Speaker Jeremy Gillam urged representatives to work together and remain focused as they began the session.

Gillam urged House members to “take a deep breath” as they convened. Medicaid expansion has sharply divided Republicans, who control both chambers of the Legislature. 

If lawmakers approve Hutchinson’s plan this week, the budget bill to keep the expansion alive needs the support of at least three-fourths of the House and Senate during a fiscal session set to begin next week.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)