Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly A Bill 2
Regular Session, 2025 HOUSE BILL 1588 3
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By: Representative McAlindon 5
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For An Act To Be Entitled 8
AN ACT TO AMEND THE APPROVALS REQUIRED FROM THE 9
GOVERNOR AND CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER OF THE STATE BEFORE 10
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CAN TAKE CERTAIN 11
ACTIONS RELATED TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; TO 12
REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE 13
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SEEKS OR IMPLEMENTS AN 14
EXPANSION OF COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID 15
PROGRAM OR INCREASES COSTS TO THE STATE FOR THE 16
ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 17
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Subtitle 20
TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL 21
ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN 22
SERVICES SEEKS OR IMPLEMENTS AN 23
EXPANSION OF COVERAGE OR INCREASES COSTS 24
TO THE STATE FOR THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID 25
PROGRAM. 26
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 28
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SECTION 1. Arkansas Code § 20 -77-110 is amended to read as follows: 30
20-77-110. Increase in reimbursement rate or cost to state — Expansion 31
of coverage. 32
Notwithstanding any other provision in federal law or departmental 33
commitment which may exist to the contrary, the Department of Human Services 34
shall not: 35
(1)(A) Increase increase any reimbursement rate to any provider 36 HB1588
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or provider groups supported in whole or in part by funds administered by the 1
department, nor shall it without first seeking and receiving the approval of 2
the Governor and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State. 3
(B) If reimbursement rates are decreased, the department 4
shall report to the Legislative Council concerning the reasons and 5
justification for the decrease in reimbursement rates; 6
(2) Adopt adopt any other rule or amendment to the Arkansas 7
Medicaid Program that would result in an obligation of the general revenues 8
of the state without first seeking and receiving the approval of the Governor 9
and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State ; or 10
(3)(A) Apply for or implement any rule or amendment to the 11
Arkansas Medicaid Program or a Medicaid waiver from the Centers for Medicare 12
& Medicaid Services that would expand coverage to any additional individuals 13
or class of individuals or that would increase any cost to the state and 14
result in an obligation of the state without first obtaining approval by a 15
two-thirds (⅔) vote from either the Legislative Council or, if the General 16
Assembly is in session, the Joint Budget Committee. 17
(B) Subdivision (3)(A) of this section does not affect any 18
Medicaid state plan amendment or federal waiver in existence and implemented 19
as of the effective date of this section . 20
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