Obama administration approves Arkansas request to implement Medicaid expansion through the private sector

[mota bhai 2,675]

Arkansas will expand Medicaid to cover individuals whose income is less than 133 percent of the federal poverty line — the expansion contained in the Affordable Care Act.

But rather than placing those newly eligible residents on traditional Medicaid, Arkansas will offer them private coverage. Residents will be able to buy the private healthcare plans offered in the state's insurance exchange — the other half of ObamaCare's coverage expansion.

Iowa, following Arkansas's lead, has already proposed a similar waiver, and state officials have said Arkansas's plan could serve as a broader model.

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/325123-feds-approve-high-profile-waiver-for-obamacare-medicaid-expansion

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The Republican wall is cracking. Sweet.

[mota bhai 2,675]

More detail from the WaPo:

There are about 200,000 Arkansans who qualify for the Medicaid expansion. Instead of having them enroll in the public program, like other states will do, Arkansas will send them to their new health insurance marketplace to buy individual plans. When they get to the point of purchase, the Medicaid agency will foot the tab for their health insurance coverage.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

More detail from the WaPo:

There are about 200,000 Arkansans who qualify for the Medicaid expansion. Instead of having them enroll in the public program, like other states will do, Arkansas will send them to their new health insurance marketplace to buy individual plans. When they get to the point of purchase, the Medicaid agency will foot the tab for their health insurance coverage.

Nothing wrong with that approach.