Supporters of Arkansas' pioneering Medicaid expansion program were relieved by the outcome of last week's election on Super Tuesday, with most Republican state legislative primary contests resulting in victories for pro-expansion candidates.
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who wants to preserve but modify his Democratic predecessor's expansion program, backed candidates in eight GOP primary races and saw six of those candidates win.
Led by former Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, Arkansas expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act in 2014 through an innovative model that placed the new beneficiaries in private health plans sold in the ACA exchange. The state's expansion expires at year-end unless the GOP-controlled Legislature renews it.
Hutchinson, who previously opposed the expansion but now supports a more conservative-friendly version, needs every vote to support his plan, because state law requires 75% approval in both legislative chambers.
The current lawmakers remain in office until the end of 2016 and will be around to vote on Hutchinson's proposal in the legislative session starting next month. But last week's primary to pick candidates for November's general election was important for Hutchinson's efforts to win approval for his plan, said Rich Huddleston, executive director of the pro-expansion Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families.
“If the elections had gone another way, that could have sent clear signals to the Republicans currently in office who voted for (expansion) that their seat might be up for a big challenge in future years,” Huddleston said.
Three of the pivotal races were in the state Senate, where the expansion plan previously passed by a single vote. All three candidates favoring Hutchinson's plan won their primary contests.
