Republican lawmakers in Arkansas sent a letter to State Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford this week urging him not to apply for a $3.8 million grant that would fund the state's health insurance exchange, according to an Arkansas News report.
State Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford received a letter on Tuesday signed by House Minority Leader John Burris (R-Harrison) and five other Republican legislators. Gov. Mike Beebe said previously that although legislative approval was not required to apply for the grant, he would not authorize Commissioner Bradford to proceed without a "strong consensus" within the legislature.
The deadline for Arkansas to apply for the grant is Friday. Commissioner Bradford said yesterday he had initially planned to seek $20 million, but altered the amount to $3.8 million after receiving feedback from Republican legislative leaders. He planned to ask for more money in December, but now it appears the state will not apply for any money at this time.
Commissioner Bradford said he was "disappointed" by the Republican response, which will put the state "considerably behind" on the planning process for the exchange, according to the report.
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State Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford received a letter on Tuesday signed by House Minority Leader John Burris (R-Harrison) and five other Republican legislators. Gov. Mike Beebe said previously that although legislative approval was not required to apply for the grant, he would not authorize Commissioner Bradford to proceed without a "strong consensus" within the legislature.
The deadline for Arkansas to apply for the grant is Friday. Commissioner Bradford said yesterday he had initially planned to seek $20 million, but altered the amount to $3.8 million after receiving feedback from Republican legislative leaders. He planned to ask for more money in December, but now it appears the state will not apply for any money at this time.
Commissioner Bradford said he was "disappointed" by the Republican response, which will put the state "considerably behind" on the planning process for the exchange, according to the report.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
Maine Proposes Legislation for Health Insurance Exchange
Missouri Lawmakers Table Discussion of Health Insurance Exchange
CMS: Use Revised ABN Form by Jan. 1