Signed by Governor Mike Beebe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the "Health Care Independence Program," effective July 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Health Care Independence Program to provide assistance for workers seeking health care (Sec. 21).

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to pay premiums and provide cost-sharing subsidies for “eligible individuals” purchasing private health care plans (Sec. 21).

• Defines “eligible individuals” as individuals who meet the following criteria (Sec. 21):
• Individuals between 19 and 65 years of age;
• Individuals who have an income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level;
• Individuals who are United States citizen or have legal documentation to work in the United States; and
• Individuals who would not be more effectively covered by Medicaid, including those with "exceptional medical needs".

• Appropriates $100 million from the “Arkansas Healthy Century Trust Fund” for the “Medicaid Expansion Program” (Sec. 19).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the "Health Care Independence Program," effective July 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Health Care Independence Program to provide assistance for workers seeking health care (Sec. 21).

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to pay premiums and provide cost-sharing subsidies for “eligible individuals” purchasing private health care plans (Sec. 21).

• Defines “eligible individuals” as individuals who meet the following criteria (Sec. 21):
• Individuals between 19 and 65 years of age;
• Individuals who have an income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level;
• Individuals who are United States citizen or have legal documentation to work in the United States; and
• Individuals who would not be more effectively covered by Medicaid, including those with "exceptional medical needs".

• Appropriates $100 million from the “Arkansas Healthy Century Trust Fund” for the “Medicaid Expansion Program” (Sec. 19).

Full Bill Text