Intercepting the Football: Blocking Regulators’ Touchdowns in Arkansas

May 23, 2013 2 Comments
dismang-jonathan

A proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution would require legislative approval of rules passed by administrative agencies in Arkansas. The resolution, SJR7, has been championed by incoming Senate President Pro Tem Jonathan Dismang. It represents a dramatic shift in power in governance, away from unchecked regulatory authority towards democratic accountability. If ratified by the voters in next year’s general election, this proposed constitutional amendment would require a legislative … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans, Regulatory Reform Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Health Care Boondoggle: Medicaid Doesn’t Improve Health Outcomes

May 2, 2013 4 Comments
piggybank320

Any government program is, by definition, a failure -- unless it improves peoples’ lives. Some conservatives think that improving people’s lives through government is difficult at best (and sometimes impossible), and that the burden of proof is on the advocates of social programs to demonstrate that they truly help people. I tend to agree. So I watched in disbelief as many Arkansas Republican legislators recently went along with Governor Beebe’s plan to expand the Medicaid program -- … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Health Care Reform, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Obama Admin Admits Medicaid Expansion Won’t Protect Hospitals

April 17, 2013 Leave a Comment
medicaid-pills_png_800x1000_q100

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you two news items that could change the shape of the Medicaid expansion debate happening at this very moment in Little Rock. First, you must read this article by Michael Cannon of Cato Institute that reveals: 1. The PPACA is not likely to reduce uncompensated care in 2014. 2. The PPACA won’t reduce the deficit. 3. Hospitals can stop crying poverty. 4. States don’t need to expand Medicaid to protect hospitals. How do we know all of this? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Health Care Reform, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Senator Rapert Calls Again for “Private Option” Delay

April 11, 2013 4 Comments
medicaid expansion

Yesterday I reported that state Senator Jason Rapert announced (while attending AAI’s Monday town hall meeting in Conway) that he wanted the legislature to delay passage of the “private option” Medicaid expansion. Now the AP has picked up on the story. According to a new report, Rapert reiterated his calls for delay this morning at the Capitol, saying lawmakers should take three weeks off to go talk to their constituents and then reconvene. Talk to your constituents? What a great … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Private Option” Clears First Hurdle in Senate, But Fight Is Just Beginning

April 5, 2013 2 Comments
Private option is Obamacare

This morning, by a vote of 24-9, the Senate passed SB1020 or the “private option” version of Medicaid expansion. Two members did not vote. While the passage of the bill is no doubt significant, this is only the beginning of a long legislative process. The bill now goes to the House and, assuming it passes there, it will go to the governor and become law -- but that’s not the end of the ballgame. The legislature also would have to pass a separate appropriations bill to fund the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AFP on Medicaid: ‘Take Time To Get It Right’

April 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
pelosi_oh_no_ap

Our friends at AFP-Arkansas have released a new ad against the Medicaid "private option." You should take 30 seconds to watch it because, well, it's really good: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AAI Announces Medicaid Town Halls

April 2, 2013 4 Comments
AAI town hall announcement

If you’re like me, you’ve been startled to see allegedly conservative lawmakers heralding the wonders of expanding government in Arkansas via the Medicaid “private option.” Well thank God for our affiliate, the Advance Arkansas Institute: today they announced five town hall meetings to be held across the state next week. The meetings will focus on Medicaid expansion and the “private option” -- they’ll feature national policy experts, including Christie Herrera of the Foundation … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Gallery, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Private Medicaid Option: From the Sphinx’s Mouth

March 27, 2013 5 Comments
skeptical Churchill

Yesterday, I attended a meeting of conservative activists and legislators at the Capitol. Senator David Sanders and Representative Randy Alexander were the guest speakers. The topic was Medicaid reform / expansion / the ”private option.” Winston Churchill famously said “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Compared to the Medicaid “private option,” Russia is a first-grade textbook. Although Senator Sanders gave an extensive talk about the private option, its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Gallery, Health Care Reform, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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