Physicians across the state have seen first-hand the benefits of Arkansas Works/Private Option and are fighting to secure its funding. Under this program, hard-working Arkansans have been able to get the care they need, return to work faster and stay at work longer. Losing this program would create a significant blow to our economy and overall public health.

Appropriation funding for Arkansas Works will require 75 positive votes in the House of Representatives and 27 positive votes in the State Senate. Reaching the 75% threshold in both chambers will be difficult… VERY difficult in the Senate.

Contact your legislators today

Share your stories and let them know it has helped you take care of more hard-working Arkansans. Ask your legislators to support Arkansas Works by email on our locate your legislators page OR call the House (501-682-6211) and Senate (501-682-2902) to leave a message asking them to support Governor Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works program.

Passing this appropriation will not only allow more than a quarter million people to keep health coverage, but will avoid a $140 million budget shortfall if not passed.

Letter to the Legislature

In a letter to the entire Arkansas Legislature (read below), AMS President Dr. Eddie Bryant, shares that Arkansas Works, known the last three years as the Private Option, “has made a difference in the lives of your fellow Arkansans. As an ophthalmologist, I have treated many patients in the past who could not work because of visual difficulties. Many of these visual problems can be cured with proper treatment or surgery. Unfortunately, large numbers of patients did not seek care because they could not pay for treatment.”

Dr. Bryant went on to highlight the fundamental benefit of the program, “thanks to the Private Option, patients have been able to afford the care they needed. This has transformed many lives by allowing them to return to the workforce.  Physicians across the state have seen great improvement in the overall health of Arkansans.”

April 11, 2016

Dear    ;

On behalf of the over 4,500 members of the Arkansas Medical Society, I would like to thank you for your service to our great state. You have an important job to do and I wish you the best in your upcoming deliberations impacting the physicians of Arkansas and their patients. To that end, I also ask for your support of Governor Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works.

This program, over the last three years as the Private Option, has made a difference in the lives of your fellow Arkansans. As an ophthalmologist, I have treated many patients in the past who could not work because of visual difficulties. Many of these visual problems can be cured with proper treatment or surgery. Unfortunately, large numbers of patients did not seek care because they could not pay for treatment.

Thanks to the Private Option, patients have been able to afford the care they needed. This has transformed many lives by allowing them to return to the workforce.  Physicians across the state have seen great improvement in the overall health of Arkansans.

Please help continue this progress by supporting Governor Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works with a positive vote.

Sincerely,

Edward Bryant, Jr., MD

President, Arkansas Medical Society