‘Tough Sledding Ahead’ For Private Option, State Senator Says

The 90th General Assembly may be nearly two months away, but two incoming state senators say they already have good clues as to what will dominate the January legislative session.

State Sen. John Cooper, R-Jonesboro, who starts his first full session Jan. 12, and Sen.-elect Blake Johnson, R-Corning, who defeated State Sen. Robert Thompson, D-Paragould, on Nov. 4, both said the session will be dominated by economic issues as well as healthcare.

Cooper, who won a special election earlier this year after the resignation of then-embattled State Sen. Paul Bookout, D-Jonesboro, said he expects a broad-based session.

“Taxes and public business, as well as regulatory reform and tort reform, will carry a big percentage of our time,” Cooper said.

On healthcare, Cooper said while he would not predict the outcome of what will happen with the reauthorization vote on the private option, he did say it is in a tough situation.

“Legislatively, it is tough to make predictions. But I would say it is tough for reauthorization. It is tough sledding ahead,” Cooper said. “But we will have alternatives in place.”

Cooper said legislators are still looking at different approaches, but that a proverbially “Plan B” would seek to unwind many of the issues the program has faced and that whatever is done would appeal to both sides.

Opponents of the plan have said the program has had cost overruns each month since it began, while supporters have said it has helped rural hospitals meet budget needs.

“I don’t think anyone will say, ‘Immediately end it.’ But there will be an exit strategy to deal with it,” Cooper said. “You have to remember that Crittenden (Regional) Hospital closed during the time of the Private Option. With the Private Option, those who looked at it as a savior, they wasted their confidence in something that did not hold up.”

The 11 Democratic votes in the State Senate are expected to hold up in support of the private option, but where the other 16 votes from Republicans come from is a mystery.

The resignation of Sen. Michael Lamoureux, R-Russellville, who will become chief of staff for Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson, reduces one more vote for the plan. There is a possibility that a special election for his replacement may not be settled before a reauthorization vote takes place.

Sen.-elect Johnson agreed with Cooper on the timetable issue, saying it was too early to comment on what would move through the legislature next year.

“I do know that they are working on something,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he heard a lot from people while on the campaign trail about the healthcare program.

“It was the top issue,” Johnson said. “We have to find some way to make the system more stable.”

However, a U.S. Supreme Court case, expected to be heard in March, may have some bearing on the decision made by legislators, Johnson said Thursday.

According to published reports, the case, King v. Burwell, will look at the constitutionality of so-called tax credit subsidies in healthcare exchanges.

A decision by the nine justices is expected by late June, just days before the start of a new fiscal year in the state.

Hutchinson has said that he won’t comment further on the private option until late January as he studies the issue and discusses possible changes.

State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, who was elected President Pro-tempore for the current and next General Assembly, said ongoing conversations are taking place and will continue as the program’s fate is considered. Dismang will be a guest on this week’s TV edition of Talk Business & Politics, which airs Sundays at 9 a.m. on KATV Ch. 7.

POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS
Both Cooper and Johnson said the decision made by voters Nov. 4 was historic.

Republicans won a U.S. Senate seat, all four U.S. House seats, all seven constitutional offices, 64 seats in the state House and 23 seats in the state Senate.

Republicans also won six state House seats in previously-blue Northeast Arkansas as well as two state Senate seats.

Johnson said the shift from Democrat to Republican in Arkansas has given the GOP a cautious mandate.

“Our response will be to govern effectively and efficiently. It is up to us,” Johnson said. “We can’t take anything for granted. They (the people) have expectations and we have to do what their will is. We have to earn the trust.”

Cooper said while issues like the private option will probably control the debate and headlines, a better economy could help alleviate the need for programs like the private option.

“It (Private Option) will dominate the debate, but we need a better economy,” Cooper said.

As for the political shift, Cooper said it gives Republicans an opportunity to lead and put forth ideas.

“It will be a challenge. We have to be worthy of the confidence the people placed in us,” Cooper said.