Arkansas

SCI Coverage Institute

Coverage Institute funds will provide technical assistance and logistical support to the Governor’s Health Care Roundtable, which is a newly-convened expert panel tasked with developing the Arkansas Health Care Plan.

SCI Demostration Grant

In 2001 the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, was awarded a SCI Demonstration Grant. Having already received a HRSA State Planning Grant, Arkansas built on qualitative and quantitative research, recently passed legislative initiatives, and a voter initiative to use tobacco settlement funds for Medicaid expansions. The SCI grant funds have supported work to expand coverage of pregnant women up to 200 percent FPL and 19-64 year-olds through a public-private partnership.

Grant Highlights

• Arkansas Department of Human Services submitted a HIFA waiver to cover low-income workers in a safety nets benefit program in January 2003 and also submitted a revised waiver in the fall of 2004. It is still under consideration at CMS.
• The Arkansas Health Insurance Roundtable was formed as a platform for development of long-term strategic health care plan. The roundtable members convene on a regular basis to discuss which models to pursue. Models currently under consideration include using the state's public employee pool as a mechanism to expand coverage, a "pay or play" strategy, and a reinsurance mechanism.
• During 2004, work from the SCI grant helped initiate the Arkansas General Assembly Joint Interim Committee on Health Insurance and Prescription Drugs.
• In 2001, legislation was passed allowing the development of Health Insurance Purchasing Groups (HIPGs).
• SCI funding supports the Arkansas grant team in creating a long-term sustainable effort to promote the development of evidence-based health insurance policy and programs.
• On January 1, 2005 the first HIPG, the North Little Rock Chamber Alliance Program, was created. It allows businesses with fewer than 100 employees to band together to purchase comprehensive insurance at lower rates. Administratively housed within and sponsored by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the program allows businesses with fewer than 100 employees to band together and negotiate coverage with health insurance carriers. As of July 2005, 500 individuals were enrolled in the HIPG.