Arkansas Leaders Praise Senate Health Care Reform Bill

Arkansas leaders from various sectors have expressed strong support for the final Senate version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill is expected to provide hundreds of thousands of Arkansans with health insurance coverage, reduce health care costs for small businesses, and extend the life of Medicare. AARP, Arkansas small business owners, the Arkansas Hospital Association, health economists, and advocates for children and families have all praised the bill, citing its potential to improve access to affordable health care, create more jobs, and reduce the nation's deficit.

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate bill would provide health insurance coverage to approximately 400,000 uninsured Arkansans through expanded Medicaid and multi-state health insurance exchanges.
• The bill would also reduce health care costs for small businesses, allowing them to do more work with the money they have.
• AARP strongly supports provisions in the Senate bill to strengthen long-term services and supports, including provisions to improve access to Medicaid home and community-based services.
• Fifty-six percent of Arkansans in Medicare Part D were "at risk of falling into" the doughnut hole in 2009, facing full-price prescription drugs.
• The Arkansas Hospital Association supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, considering it essential for universal coverage for health care services.
• Health Economist Len Nichols praised the bill for its potential to make insurance and quality health care accessible and affordable for all Americans, including rural Arkansans.
• Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families applauded the Senate's work to progress health reform, citing the bill's comprehensive, affordable, and accessible health care for low- and moderate-income children and families.
• The bill would be fully paid for and would actually reduce the nation's deficit.
• Arkansas small business owners, such as Bret Park and Lisa Sharp, expressed gratitude for Senator Lincoln's support and hope that the reform will improve their ability to afford health coverage for their employees.
• Hospital CEO Mike McCoy stated that the bill will increase access to affordable, quality coverage and create a market-based exchange.

Statistics:

• 400,000 uninsured Arkansans may gain health insurance coverage through expanded Medicaid and multi-state health insurance exchanges.
• 56% of Arkansans in Medicare Part D were "at risk of falling into" the doughnut hole in 2009.
• 375,000 AARP members in Arkansas support Senator Lincoln's health care reform efforts.
• 490,000 Arkansans would receive health coverage and assistance through Medicaid or subsidies to make health insurance more affordable for working families.
• 700 employees of Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville would benefit from the bill's reform.

Sources:

• "AARP Strongly Supports Senate Health Care Reform" (no date)
• Arkansas Hospital Association, "AHA Supports Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (no date)
• Len Nichols, "Senate Legislation is Good for Arkansas and Our Country" (no date)
• Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, "Statement on Senate Health Reform Bill" (no date)
• Mike McCoy, CEO of Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, "Letter to Senator Lincoln" (no date)
• Lottie Shackelford, Former Mayor of Little Rock, "Support for Senator Lincoln's Health Reform Efforts" (no date)
• AARP, "AARP Supports Health Care Reform" (no date)
• AACF, "Center on Budget and Policy Priorities" (2007-2009)