An act TO AMEND THE APPROVALS REQUIRED FROM THE 10 GOVERNOR AND CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER OF THE STATE BEFORE 11 THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CAN TAKE CERTAIN 12 ACTIONS RELATED TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM, the official text

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.

1 State of Arkansas             As Engrossed: H3/31/25
2 95th General Assembly
                                      A Bill

3 Regular Session, 2025                                           HOUSE BILL 1588

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5 By: Representative McAlindon

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8                               For An Act To Be Entitled

9              AN ACT TO AMEND THE APPROVALS REQUIRED FROM THE

10             GOVERNOR AND CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER OF THE STATE BEFORE

11             THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CAN TAKE CERTAIN

12             ACTIONS RELATED TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; TO

13             REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE

14             DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SEEKS OR IMPLEMENTS AN

15             EXPANSION OF COVERAGE IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID

16             PROGRAM; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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19                                          Subtitle

20                       TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL

21                       ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN

22                       SERVICES SEEKS OR IMPLEMENTS AN

23                       EXPANSION OF COVERAGE FOR THE ARKANSAS

24                       MEDICAID PROGRAM.

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26 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

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28  SECTION 1. Arkansas Code � 20-77-110 is amended to read as follows:

29  20-77-110. Increase in reimbursement rate or cost to state -- Expansion

30 of coverage.

31  Notwithstanding any other provision in federal law or departmental

32 commitment which may exist to the contrary, the Department of Human Services

33 shall not:

34             (1)(A) Increase increase any reimbursement rate to any provider

35 or provider groups supported in whole or in part by funds administered by the

36 department, nor shall it without first seeking and receiving the approval of

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    As Engrossed: H3/31/25                                                 HB1588

1 the Governor and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State.

2              (B) If reimbursement rates are decreased, the department

3 shall report to the Legislative Council concerning the reasons and

4 justification for the decrease in reimbursement rates;

5              (2) Adopt adopt any other rule or amendment to the Arkansas

6 Medicaid Program that would result in an obligation of the general revenues

7 of the state without first seeking and receiving the approval of the Governor

8 and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State; or

9              (3)(A) Apply for or implement any rule or amendment to the

10 Arkansas Medicaid Program or a Medicaid waiver from the Centers for Medicare

11 & Medicaid Services that would expand coverage to any additional individuals

12 or class of individuals and result in an obligation of the state without

13 first obtaining approval by a two-thirds () vote from either the Legislative

14 Council or, if the General Assembly is in session, the Joint Budget

15 Committee.

16             (B) Subdivision (3)(A) of this section does not affect any

17 Medicaid state plan amendment or federal waiver in existence and implemented

18 as of the effective date of this section.

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20                          /s/McAlindon

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