Skip to Content

FGA congratulates Arkansas on the approval of their new Medicaid waiver

Naples, FL – The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) congratulates the state of Arkansas and Governor Asa Hutchinson on the approval of their Medicaid waiver.

Today, the Trump Administration approved Gov. Hutchinson’s request to implement work requirements for the state’s Medicaid expansion, making Arkansas the third state to win approval for this commonsense reform that will help Arkansans move from welfare to work.

This new work requirement closely mirrors the work requirement in the food stamp program, requiring able-bodied adults to work, train, or volunteer to remain eligible.

The reform is much needed: data from Arkansas shows that nearly half of all enrollees in the state’s Medicaid expansion do not work at all. In addition, since expanding Medicaid, the state has enrolled 51 percent more able-bodied adults than ever expected, resulting in cost overruns of more than $1.4 billion.

“Arkansas’ new Medicaid waiver will help able-bodied adults get back on their feet and get back to work. This waiver will also free up limited taxpayer resources to help the truly needy and fund other state priorities, including education, public safety, and needed infrastructure,” said Tarren Bragdon, CEO and President of FGA. “We applaud the efforts of the governor, the Hutchinson administration, and the legislature. Thanks to their efforts, Arkansas is quickly becoming a model for reducing dependency, reducing fraud, and expanding jobs and opportunity for all.”

The Foundation for Government Accountability is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that specializes in health care, welfare, and work reform. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.

###

At FGA, we don’t just talk about changing policy—we make it happen.

By partnering with FGA through a gift, you can create more policy change that returns America to a country where entrepreneurship thrives, personal responsibility is rewarded, and paychecks replace welfare checks.