Audio: Sen. Sanders Vs. Greenberg On ‘Private Option’

If you missed KARN’s Dave Elswick Show on Friday afternoon, then you missed some exciting radio as Sen. David Sanders squared off  against former Rep. Dan Greenberg on the private option.

Sanders has been one of a handful of Republicans who have been working tirelessly on a compromise bill rather than the standard Medicaid expansion.  Greenberg heads up a conservative group called Advance Arkansas Institute (AAI) that has been working against the private option  – although they say they do not take a position on the bill but rather the policy.

Things quickly came to a head as the two Republicans who are also friends sparred on the air in a heated exchange when Sanders asked to remain on the air to discuss the private option with Greenberg instead of jumping off without a debate.

“Sen. Sanders you are right to say let’s not demonize the private option but let’s not deify it either,” began Greenberg.

“I have never…Dan, I will cut you off there. I have never deified the private option,” interrupted Sanders as both men tried to speak over each other.

“I have never demonized it,” replied Greenberg.

“What I have said consistently – Dan – is that there are 3 bad options – Dan – that is exactly what I have said,” shot back Sanders. “And listen – Dan – what I have said consistently is that there are 3 bad options and this is the least harmful option to the state of Arkansas. So first of all if you are going to talk, you are going to be honest, you are not going to be dishonest and that is what you and that is what (AAI guest speakers) Haislmaier and that is what Christie Herrera have been – dishonest on this and I will tell you I don’t appreciate it and you know it’s true.”

This was the most heated portion of the exchange.  Debate over the nature of the premium support feature of the plan was discussed as well as other parts of the private option plan.

The heated exchange captured here is likely taking place across Arkansas as state legislators discuss the private option plan before returning to the capitol for a big vote on Monday on the appropriation bill to fund it, which will require 75 percent in both chambers.

Listen to more of the conversation below.