Point remains the same on health care reform efforts

Our View

Point remains the same on health care reform efforts

Yes, Sen. Keith Ingram, we mistakenly said the other day that the Arkansas health care reform task force was created by Gov. Asa Hutchinson when it was, in fact, established by the Republican-controlled legislature. We stand corrected.

In fact, last March, Republican House Speaker Jeremy Gillam appointed Reps. Kim Hammer, Michelle Gray, Deborah Ferguson (D-West Memphis), Charlie Collins, David Meeks, Reginald Murdock, Joe Farrer and Justin Boyd. And, Republican Senate President Jonathan Dismang named John Cooper, Linda Chesterfield, Cecile Bledsoe, Jason Rapert, David Sanders and Terry Rich.

The Senate majority and minority leaders – Jim Hendren and Ingram – are also task force members in the legislation.

A minor clarification, and somewhat insignificant, when the point that was being made focused on this minority Senate leader’s accusation of the governor having too much influence on the panel and warning Hutchinson he is at risk of losing Democratic votes with his push for managed care.

Let’s face it – the real rub with the governor’s reform proposals goes well beyond turning over managed care to a private entity. It boils down to the liberal Democrats opposing Hutchinson’s intentions of eliminating the 90-day retroactive coverage for those on the program and requiring participants to enroll in employer-based insurance if available – with the expansion funds paying for premiums.

And, we wouldn’t be surprised that there are those liberal lawmakers who oppose the governor’s plan against requiring unemployed participants to enroll in workforce training and requiring those individuals taking advantage of this government subsidized health care pay a minimal amount in monthly premiums.

Despite Ingram’s warning and criticism, Hutchinson says he’s more than confident he’ll get the threefourths support of legislators needed in both chambers next month to keep his program alive another year.

The enabling legislation approving the changes Hutchinson will seek during a special session only require a simple majority. But the higher threshold is need for the Department of Human Services budget measures that includes the funding for the expansion, and that will come up during the fiscal session set to begin April 13.

Republicans hold a majority in both chambers, and Hutchinson will need the near-unanimous support of Democrats in the House and Senate because of the divide within his own party over the expansion.

Hutchinson has already warned lawmakers that ending the program would have widespread consequences, creating a $100 million budget hole that could prompt up to 6 percent cuts for most state agencies.

Another obstacle may be soothing the fears of Democrats who face the prospects of tight re-election bids this year on in the future.

As we pointed out the other day, it will certainly be interesting to see if the opposition will derail the governor’s plan.

BIBLE VERSE

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

121:1-8

Psalm