Arkansas' Medicaid changes still on hold

Already at least a month behind schedule on implementing a series of proposed changes to the state’s Medicaid expansion program, Arkansas Works, Gov. Asa Hutchinson still has received no word on the federal approval he needs to move forward.

Last week, Hutchinson met with federal officials to plead his case. “I have personally visited with numerous Administration officials making the case for Arkansas’ innovative Medicaid waiver request that would continue the reform efforts to control costs and to put into place work and responsibility requirements,” Hutchinson said in an email. “These meetings have been productive.”

In June, the state submitted a request to the Trump administration for a series of alterations, including work requirements and a change in eligibility that would remove tens of thousands of Arkansans from the rolls. Hutchinson has consistently said that he is confident that the changes will be approved, but has expressed some anxiety in recent months about the timeline. The original target start date of Jan. 1 is no longer a possibility, state officials say. The Department of Human Services told the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network last month that in order to initiate the necessary alterations in program infrastructure, it would need 60 days to implement the changes once the state receives federal approval.

In early November, a spokesperson for the governor said that Hutchinson was optimistic about receiving an answer by Nov. 7. With no response more than three weeks later, Hutchinson said that he still believes his efforts are on course.

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