The Regular Session of the 91st General Assembly began on Monday, January 9, 2017. Bill filing began on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, and the final deadline to file legislation was on Monday, March 6. The session ended on Monday, April 3, 2017. The amount of bills submitted that affect Medicaid may seem overwhelming, but this list will give you access to each bill’s history, actual language and details, as well as how your Legislators voted for these issues.
Passed
HB1706 | now Act 775 – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO DESIGNATE THAT A RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION IS AN INSURANCE COMPANY FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES UNDER ARKANSAS LAW; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1901 | now Act 958 – TO CREATE THE VOLUNTEER HEALTH CARE ACT.
HB1283 | now Act 902 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
SB195 | now Act 835 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1284 | now Act 852 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB2177 | now Act 892 – TO CLARIFY THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES OF THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO POST-ELIGIBILITY TREATMENT OF INCOME OF INSTITUTIONALIZED INDIVIDUALS OF LONG- TERM CARE MEDICAID.
HB1954 | now Act 802 – TO REQUIRE A PROGRAM SAVINGS PLAN FOR THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE SYSTEM.
SB564 | now Act 978 – TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF HEALTHCARE FRAUD; AND TO UPDATE THE MEDICAID FRAUD ACT AND THE MEDICAID FRAUD FALSE CLAIMS ACT.
HB1162 | now Act 141 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS TAX LAW CONCERNING INCOME TAX, SALES AND USE TAXES, AND THE SOFT DRINK TAX; AND TO SUPPLEMENT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TRUST FUND TO OFFSET DECREASED DEPOSITS FROM TAX REVENUES.
HB1033 | now Act 50 – TO AMEND INITIATED ACT 1 OF 2000, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS ACT, TO REDUCE THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WAITING LIST; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1025 | now Act 46 – TO AMEND THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM ACT TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM
SB81 | now Act 83 – AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF MEDICAID INSPECTOR GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1200 | now Act 120 – AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES – REYNOLDS CENTER ON AGING, BOOZMAN COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ARK. BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE, & THE AREA HEALTH ED. CENTER IN HELENA APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
SB146 | now Act 203 – TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING TELEMEDICINE; AND TO CREATE THE TELEMEDICINE ACT.
HB1491 | now Act 230 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES GENERAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.
HB1016 | now Act 517 – TO CONVERT THE HOSPITAL REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEMS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO DIAGNOSIS-RELATED GROUP METHODOLOGY.
HB1919 | now Act 605 – TO CODIFY THE PROCESS FOR THE REVIEW OF RULES IMPACTING STATE MEDICAID COSTS; AND TO EXEMPT MEDICAL CODES FROM THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS AND LEGISLATIVE REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
HB1501 | now Act 591 – TO MODIFY AND REPEAL LANGUAGE REFERENCING THE SUPERSEDED ELDERCHOICES PROGRAM.
HB1626 | now Act 568 – TO AMEND THE PROHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
HB1264 | now Act 546 – TO PROVIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES PERFORMED BY A WALK-IN CLINIC OR EMERGENT CARE CLINIC WHEN THE PATIENT DOES NOT HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER ASSIGNED.
SB206 | now Act 699 – TO AVOID UNNECESSARY EXPANSION IN MEDICAID COSTS AND SERVICES RELATED TO REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS; AND TO CODIFY THE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS MORATORIUM.
HCR1012 | approved by Gov – TO ENCOURAGE THE GOVERNOR TO SUBMIT A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO COVERAGE FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN FROM THE COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION ISLANDS.
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- Senate votes – concurred
- House votes – concurred
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HB1646 | now Act 745 – TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING PUBLIC EDUCATION.
SB196 | now Act 1045 – AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2017-2018 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1183 | now Act 1092 – TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY AND EFFICIENCY OF CHIROPRACTIC COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND TO ALLOW MEDICAID RECIPIENTS DIRECT ACCESS TO A CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN WITHOUT REFERRAL FROM A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.
Withdrawn
HB1803 | WITHDRAWN – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPOSE AN INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX ON RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB765 | WITHDRAWN – TO HARMONIZE THE INTERPRETATION OF FEDERAL MEDICAID REGULATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF MEDICAID INSPECTOR GENERAL IN REGARDS TO PROVIDER AUDITS.
HB1916 | WITHDRAWN – TO REQUIRE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES TO USE THEIR OWN MEDICAID PROVIDER NUMBER OR A MODIFIER TO A MEDICAL CODE WHEN BILLING THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
UNRESOLVED – When the session ended, these were still in committee:
HB1878 – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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HB1809 – TO REFORM MEDICAID SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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SB593 – TO REFORM THE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
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- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill.
HB1903 – TO CREATE THE ENHANCED ELIGIBILITY AND AUTHENTICATION ACT.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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HB2124 – TO ELIMINATE THE ASSET OR RESOURCE TEST FOR LONG-TERM CARE MEDICAID WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR VETERANS.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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HB2145 – TO CREATE THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPOSE AN INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX ON RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
- Read bill
HB1271 – TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTH INSURANCE INNOVATION ACT OF 2017; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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HB1300 – TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PRIORITIZE SPENDING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO FULLY FUND HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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HB1810 – TO CLARIFY AND ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR SMALL INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
- Read bill
SB603 – TO PROVIDE NECESSARY MEDICAID FUNDING TO COVER INCREASES IN COSTS INCURRED BY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
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- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill
SB604 – TO ESTABLISH THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT ADEQUACY COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FOR REGULAR REVIEWS OF MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
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- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill
SB756 – TO IMPLEMENT COST SAVINGS AND MANAGE GROWTH IN OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS DURING THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION TO PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE.
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- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill
SB175 – TO REQUIRE MEDICAID PROVIDERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO DISCLOSE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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HB1981 – TO AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO SPECIFIC MEDICAID POPULATIONS; AND TO REFORM THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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SB503 – TO PROVIDE FOR CONSISTENT TREATMENT IN REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE EDUCATION OF ARKANSAS STUDENTS DURING PLACEMENT IN A FACILITY IN A BORDER STATE.
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- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill
SB434 – TO REMOVE THE ENROLLMENT CAPS IN THE LIVING CHOICES ASSISTED LIVING MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM.
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- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill
HB1502 – TO CREATE AN EXEMPTION TO THE DEFINITION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY AND THE DEFINITION OF ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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SB355 – TO TERMINATE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM WHICH IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE “PRIVATE OPTION” AND THE ARKANSAS WORKS PROGRAM.
- Check status & upcoming events
- Senate votes – referred to committee
- House votes
- Read bill
HB1182 – TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO ALLOW AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO BE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.
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- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
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SB120 – TO AMEND ARKANSAS TAX LAW CONCERNING INCOME TAX, SALES AND USE TAXES, AND THE SOFT DRINK TAX; AND TO SUPPLEMENT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TRUST FUND TO OFFSET DECREASED DEPOSITS FROM TAX REVENUES.
- Check status & upcoming events
- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
- Read bill
HB1257 – TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT.
- Check status & upcoming events
- Senate votes
- House votes – referred to committee
- Read bill
Our friends told us about TEFRA, a type of Medicaid funding that provides for disabled children and that requires the family to pay a premium. Our primary insurance pays first for all that it will cover, and Medicaid makes sure that Lila doesn’t go without the rest. We gladly pay a monthly fee for this essential assistance!
We never expected to need Medicaid. Even though we’d paid taxes for years for Medicaid, we didn’t know that a person’s life can change drastically in a moment – a car accident, a stroke, a job loss, a cancer diagnosis, a chromosomal difference – to cause them to need Medicaid. We thought that if we worked hard enough, we could take care of ourselves and Lila. But no matter how hard we work or what we give up, we just can’t afford to provide for all of Lila’s needs. Now, because of Medicaid, Lila is thriving, and we’re not being crushed under the weight of Lila’s ever-growing medical debt. We have hope that she will continue to develop and someday be a valued, contributing member of society. We are incredibly thankful for Medicaid.
Medicaid Saves Lives 