Asa Hutchinson | Arkansas Governor
LITTLE ROCK – Governor
Hutchinson’s weekl
y r a d i o a d d re s s c a n
be found online in MP3
format and downloaded
HERE.
Almost a year ago, I announced
my support for
a legislative task force to
determine the future of
the Medicaid program in
Arkansas. This Healthcare
Task Force is set to make
recommendations in the
near future.
This taskforce provides
the opportunity to create
a new and different
approach for providing
healthcare in this state.
We have a responsibility
to help those going
t h r o u g h c h a l l e n g i n g
times. However, we need
to make sure people are
motivated to work versus
providing incentives for
people not to work. We
want to provide a safety
net; we want to provide
health coverage for those
making less than 138 percent
of the poverty level,
but we also want people
to move up the economic
ladder.
The Healthcare Task
Force is hard at work and
I am asking the legislators
to consider a new strategy
and a new plan. It’s called
“Arkansas Works.” The
brand illustrates what we
are trying to achieve—
help Arkansans attain jobs
and invest in their own
healthcare.
This is what I envision
for “Arkansas Works.” It is
a program that incentivizes
people to work, focuses
on employer-based
insurance, encourages
personal responsibility
and assures the financial
integrity of the program.
People who are capable
and able-bodied deserve
an opportunity to climb
the economic ladder. “Arkansas
Works” will be a
system that incentivizes
people to do just that.
As a state, we cannot
build a healthcare system
where people are opting
out of health insurance
provided by their employer.
I want to see a greater
emphasis on employerbased
insurance, not government-
based insurance.
A critical element in
this discussion is encouraging
personal responsibility.
Everyone should
have some investment
in their own healthcare.
That being said, there
should be consequences
for those who are not paying
their premiums or failing
to take responsibility.
One of the responsibilities
of government is to
keep an eye on taxpayers’
dollars. We need to make
sure providers are doing
what they should be doing
and that people who need
coverage are receiving
coverage. And those who
are able to make their own
way have the resources
and motivation to do so
without having to rely on
government-based healthcare.
That’s why program
integrity is key.
This is the time for a
solution that works for
Arkansas. People can take
an active role in their
own healthcare by getting
checkups, eating properly
and living a healthier, active
lifestyle. I also want
our employees to take
charge of their health.
As we reform our Medicaid
program, I want Arkansas
priorities to guide
the effort. By working
together, we can reduce
overall healthcare costs,
help people get back to
work and feel better about
their lives.
With “Arkansas Works”
there’s nowhere to go but
forward.