Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) would like to see the state's alternative to Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act continue, according to a report from The New York Times.
According to the report, Gov. Hutchinson, who took office this year after defeating Democrat Mike Ross, recently asked lawmakers to keep the state's alternative to Medicaid expansion in place for a couple more years.
Gov. Hutchinson has said the alternative to Medicaid expansion will be reviewed by a task force, which could recommend changes or replacing it, according to the report.
The program uses federal funds to provide health insurance premium assistance to more than 200,000 Arkansas residents with incomes below or at the federal poverty line.
Each year, Arkansas' Republican-dominated Legislature must reauthorize the program according to the report.
The New York Times reported that Gov. Hutchinson aims "to find a 'compassionate, reasonable and cost-effective' way to provide healthcare for people currently benefiting from the private option."
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