Attempt to repeal ‘private option’ rejected by House panel

The proposal to end the “private option” on December 31st failed today (Jan 29) before the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. The vote was 8-10. The private option uses federal money to purchase private insurance for the poor.

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has called on lawmakers to continue the private option through 2016 while a task force looks at longer-term reforms.

The Senate approved the task force bill and legislation reauthorizing the private option another year earlier on Thursday.

Republican Rep. Donnie Copeland  says his bill would have saved the state money. He said he plans to tweak the proposal and run it again.