(AP) – Spending on Arkansas’ expanded Medicaid program grew
by nearly 24 percent last fiscal year, an increase that officials attribute to higher-than-expected enrollment.The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that spending increase exceeded what
state officials initially estimated by about $200 million. But despite the surge in overall cost, Arkansas spent about $5 million below what the state had projected.
by nearly 24 percent last fiscal year, an increase that officials attribute to higher-than-expected enrollment.The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that spending increase exceeded what
state officials initially estimated by about $200 million. But despite the surge in overall cost, Arkansas spent about $5 million below what the state had projected.
Data from the Arkansas Department of Human Services shows the state paid more than $38 million of the overall cost, which came to $1.9 billion.
Spending on the traditional Medicaid program, which covers low-income families and elderly people, also saw an increase of 4.3 percent.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement that the program is “unsustainable for every state, including Arkansas.” He says lawmakers have been “working hard to reform the program.”
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