LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)- Arkansas’ requirement that people on its Medicaid
expansion work or lose coverage has been blocked by a federal judge as state
lawmakers are debating whether to keep the expanded insurance program another
year.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday said he was disappointed by a federal judge’s
ruling against the Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky.
Hutchinson, a Republican, had advocated for the work requirement as a way to
move people into the workforce.
Wednesday’s ruling came out shortly after the Arkansas Senate approved
legislation keeping the expansion program another year. The Senate approved the
budget bill for Medicaid and the expansion by a 27-4 vote. The measure now heads
to the House, where it will need at least 75 votes.
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