Private Option, Budget and Tax Cuts on Legislative Agenda this Week

Capitol action will be plentiful during a short week as lawmakers and Gov. Asa Hutchinson return Tuesday for the state’s legislative session.

Hutchinson is scheduled to release his budget for 2015-2016 early in the week, have his tax cut proposal head to a state Senate committee Wednesday and deliver a key speech on the private option and health care reform Thursday. The program’s fate is expected to become clearer as Hutchinson speaks on the future of health care in Arkansas and addresses his plans for the private option.

Hutchinson and legislative leaders have signaled that if he supports keeping the private option in place, he’ll want to transform the program and the overall Medicaid system.

Hutchinson is set to deliver the speech on Thursday at 10 a.m. at UAMS’ Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute.

AMS Members, keep an eye out for the weekly legislative alert for a full recap of the issues affecting you and your patients.

Article adapted from www.thv11.com and www.katv.com.