NEA Delegation Sounds Off On Governor’s Speech
by January 23, 2015 7:16 am 92 views
The opinions were mixed Thursday as legislators from Northeast Arkansas discussed a speech given by Gov. Asa Hutchinson on the private option and larger health care reform.
Hutchinson, who was elected last November, discussed the program during a 45-minute speech at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services in Little Rock on Thursday (Jan. 22).
In the speech, Hutchinson said he would like to fund the private option through Dec. 2016. In addition, a 16-member task force would look at the future of the program.
Hutchinson remarked that the private option issue has divided Arkansans and even his family – his nephews, Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, and Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Little Rock.
Hendren introduced a bill to create the task force – Senate Bill 96 – late Thursday. The bill has not been referred to a committee.
The Senate is off Friday and will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Little Rock.
COMMENTS
The following are some remarks from members of the state legislative delegation from Northeast Arkansas:
Rep. Mary Broadaway, D-Paragould:
“Gov. Hutchinson is very pragmatic in his decision to continue health care reform (the Private Option) at least in the short run. This decision is part of his overall vision to provide income tax relief for the middle class which would be virtually impossible without the federal funds that are flowing into the state because of the Private Option. I am hopeful that he will be thoughtful and deliberate about the changes that he will propose to the administration of health care in the long run, as they will effect hundreds of thousands of Arkansans. I am confident that both parties can come together to create reasonable solutions to our health care issues for our citizens.”
Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, a member of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee:
“The Governor’s comments today (Thursday) laid the framework for moving Arkansas beyond the Private Option and the Medicaid Payment Improvement Initiative. My understanding is that the Private Option will end and a legislative task force will design the path forward. The Task Force will have input from stakeholders including private business with expertise in their respective fields and will have expanded freedoms as we move from the current waiver system to block grants.”
Rep. Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro:
“I do not support Obamacare and still stand by what I ran on that Obamacare will be devastating to the taxpayers. I agree with the Governor that Arkansas taxpayers cannot afford a $200 million insurance plan starting in 2021. I will be paying close attention to the mission of the task force. I represent every constituent of District 52 – not only those that don’t have insurance coverage but those that must pay for the plan, those whose policies were cancelled and those whose premiums and deductibles skyrocketed. I will not support Obamacare in its present form or any other form it may be presented in. The voters spoke loud and clear in November and now it is my turn to speak for them.”
Sen. John Cooper, R-Jonesboro, a member of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee:
“I am happy that we finally see the end in sight for the PO (Private Option). As I understand it, the task force will gather information on how to go forward on health reform. I am consistent in wanting to end the PO. I won’t support a repackaging of PO principles by another name. I don’t think the struggles are over on reform, but hopefully we have gotten started.”
Rep. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville:
“I deeply appreciate Governor Hutchinson moving quickly to address this issue and offering a solution which will end the PO in Arkansas. I look forward to the discussion in the House of how we end the PO and will push hard to end the PO program, sooner than the 2016 deadline mentioned today (Thursday). The folks of District 54 are strongly opposed to the PO and I intend to vote in accordance with the will of the folks in my district.”