[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6095496,"mediaKeyId","2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486","parentId",2837542,"title","Committee debates expanding governor authority to move Medicaid populations into provider‑led PAS program; bill fails to meet threshold","audioSeconds",987,"startMs",2351000,"endMs",3338000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486&start=2351&end=3338","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486/thumbnail_2351000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6095496/Arkansas/Committee-debates-expanding-governor-authority-to-move-Medicaid-populations-into-providerled-PAS-program-bill-fails-to-meet-threshold","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095496-9b0fb759f9c1e59dca350f12bf7eddc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180432&Signature=UWAfd6nT74NBhmixOA92c3z9RZncbQIdlIEIoJJWfETyUx8rodgcbajveM87C6Q3Azw0O~o-PZAlcDAz~JlV98sZNlXyXOXZqizCxuDZXzoTKIbGigetAvjtIbJ-QVL78R9eQv1lBAqLVkVy~ldBwENNh8X2yT-N9MD0lZ~LO7qbbjPkPCjTbR5d-pWXE63CYogQhQz1IwoVBWj68UaBdMdGOFghPd277J9XPN87Se0xUJLqfRV8IESgEDIHvmyAFSS~DIKwSOulHBaaHQZIBEBj6V8-9UyDkPtilPVWSePDH-70h~7PvdIZ9lXB9DRgmLJjBqoGDGrXVU~YASmmZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 18‑82, presented to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, proposed to let the governor (with Legislative Council/ALC approval) move specified Medicaid populations into the state’s provider‑led PAS program as a means to pursue utilization controls and potential savings.

The amendment the sponsor presented — which DHS helped draft — clarified two points: it would allow the governor to add a population not otherwise excluded from the PAS if the governor so chooses (subject to ALC approval), and it removed language that could inadvertently change how 340B‑priced drugs were handled for providers in the PAS program, preserving current 340B practice. Elizabeth Pittman of DHS described the amendment for the committee: “This amendment does two things. One, it clarifies that… the governor may add a population… The second removes language around 340B drugs so current practice may continue.”

Committee discussion ranged widely. DHS and Medicaid staff explained that PAS can produce savings and that the money follows the patient — moving a population into PAS would move the existing Medicaid dollars that pay for that population. Staff and witnesses described the PAS program as a provider‑led alternative to third‑party managed care, intended to preserve in‑state provider control over care coordination while seeking savings. Representative Lademan and others said they were concerned that shifting populations without additional funding could dilute funds for existing PAS populations such as those with developmental disabilities; DHS responded that long‑term care populations remain exempt and that funds would “follow the patient.” Melissa Weatherton, Medicaid specialty populations lead, described how a traumatic brain injury waiver could be housed under PAS without sending patients to human development centers or behavioral‑health inpatient facilities.

After debate the sponsor moved that HB 18‑82 do pass as amended. The chair called a roll; the chair later announced the bill received eight yes votes and did not meet the 11‑vote threshold required to advance, so the motion failed. Several members said they supported further study or more specific guardrails before moving populations into PAS.

Committee members who opposed or expressed caution cited concerns about preserving funds for disabled populations, ensuring sufficient oversight and guardrails, and requiring detailed implementation plans before authorizing transfers. Supporters emphasized that PAS offers a state‑based, provider‑led approach intended to produce savings without turning to third‑party out‑of‑state managed‑care companies.

Because the motion failed on a procedural threshold, the committee did not adopt HB 18‑82; members said the topic could return later with more specificity or during the interim.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE 4/1/2025 10:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 18‑82 would have allowed the governor, with ALC approval, to move defined Medicaid populations into the state PAS program to pursue utilization and cost savings; the amended bill clarifies governor authority and preserves 340B practice. The measure failed to reach the required 11‑vote threshold.","taxTitle","PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21192,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095501,"Committee debates covering GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs under Medicaid; bill fails to reach required threshold",640,1502000,2142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486&start=1502&end=2142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486/thumbnail_1502000.jpg","/articles/6095501/Arkansas/Committee-debates-covering-GLP1-weightloss-drugs-under-Medicaid-bill-fails-to-reach-required-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095501-25fdd14a5b50dc2303cf9d1417ba2e51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180432&Signature=MsDkl6l6sMMY8csIuu4fll2f2HrktrN0u~FNRiohPSPDB8CLjjs9GlshWRw0RKcLagVUBBo430kMsAlJazsCfB5ZTS0wngfDdduVJqqiEPZd6pzWXRvhV8HgR4c76CorkM6yAujeCdATGzmUh-5Lo3BHTk7dFsfnd67VSOCIQbvKkCYJWjyWap9QG9E~PMCSWJTbmQmYh6EOC~IHaf-tBao7~4eqo2jSKm5c3sWMvgj-Vzt-ommVxP6BQAefiG89yX5xN8ThglHLd2YfV2eJDSHgiRn2TH-H0EKB2x8SltB9x8Y~7NnSxndIt6bSjw8XG83y7WSvf4kRw-u-QnQIJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House members in the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee considered House Bill 13‑32, a bill by Representative Pilkington that would require the Arkansas Medicaid program to cover GLP‑1 class drugs for weight loss no later than the date a final federal rule is issued based on a proposed federal rule affecting Medicare and Medicaid.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Pilkington, said the bill simply aligns state coverage with a forthcoming federal rule: “If the federal rule comes down that you can use these to treat weight [loss], then we would expect the state to follow suit,” she said. She emphasized the measure would not take effect until a federal decision and said states such as Mississippi have pursued similar moves to control long‑term Medicaid costs.

Elizabeth Pittman of the Arkansas Department of Human Services told the committee DHS has not budgeted money for an expansion and that the department’s fiscal estimate — which does not include rebates or downstream savings — shows a significant state share. “We do not cover weight‑loss drugs as a class of medication at this time, so that would be an expansion of coverage for us,” Pittman said.

The sponsor and DHS both discussed possible offsets from improved health outcomes. Austin Grinder, who said he brought a University of Mississippi study to the sponsor’s attention, summarized that study’s first‑year findings: pharmacy costs rose by about $61 per beneficiary while medical costs declined by about $59 per beneficiary, a small net increase in year one that the study’s authors said could change over time as medical savings grow.

Committee members pressed DHS and the sponsor on details including whether prior steps (diet, exercise programs) would be required before coverage, how federal changes would trigger state action, and whether the department had modeled rebates and long‑term savings. Pittman noted DHS’s fiscal numbers “are based solely on what we would have to expend on the drug. They don’t account for any return on investment.” Representative Bentley and others said they were reluctant to expand coverage while federal policy and Medicaid funding remain uncertain.

Representative Pilkington made a motion that HB 13‑32 do pass. The committee later called the roll. For the record, the chair said the bill received eight yes votes and therefore did not meet the 11‑vote threshold required; the motion failed on that basis.

The debate combined clinical, budgetary and policy questions: sponsors and advocates framed the bill as a potential cost‑saving, preventive measure tied to a future federal rule; DHS flagged immediate budgetary effects and the absence of set‑aside funds; an outside summary of Mississippi’s experience suggested near‑term pharmacy cost increases largely offset by small medical cost decreases in year one, with uncertainty about longer‑term savings.

With the committee unable to reach the supermajority threshold, HB 13‑32 will not advance at this time.","House members in the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee considered House Bill 13‑32, a measure to make Arkansas Medicaid cover GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs after a final federal rule. DHS warned of immediate state cost and the bill failed to reach the required 11‑vote threshold.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095491,"Votes at a glance: committee approves multiple public‑health and regulatory bills, several measures deferred or failed",4932,46000,4978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486&start=46&end=4978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837542-6fe52387ff07ff3a8b83ab5d90585486/thumbnail_46000.jpg","/articles/6095491/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-approves-multiple-publichealth-and-regulatory-bills-several-measures-deferred-or-failed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095491-8aefb74402c5d32c21dd86a50d6ad29a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180432&Signature=nJin33OT3wUzqcgZ4XQZ021tvakcfZpPy36uWT~6-WE2EbyDikIgvvYMgJJ~BZfP-9LFIsId1BXE0rYGLeizL5Bj426OMDJR0GzU7l8j6S2khSfrmp14m5TiO~uGtwrXl3Z7~apkEjNNwzk5XATjenYzS~9CUvzXRtlj7NoDsjbij0hzehtoHHLiGG3RQvlukVK0L~BX5KjwSvySzAy6fPFRN5l-4c1PeKMIXwZh36nFsspvdzCIVFqLbKOvIVOwxiNqFINsgCvyYo5N5asAoweAaP5gm0ysH6U2OLthekt58yQzinbu7KCO0aW50bnXCWAlzuYmfO40L-pibxgrpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee considered a range of bills. Most were approved by voice vote after brief presentation; a few drew longer debate and two bills failed to reach the committee’s required thresholds. Below is a concise list of the actions the committee took and short context where debate occurred.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 16‑53 (psychiatric residential treatment facility licensure and quality‑of‑care oversight): Passed by voice vote after brief presentation by Representative Fran Kavanaugh and Melissa Weatherton (DHS). Motion to pass carried by voice.

- House Bill 11‑42 (\"RESTORE Act\" — restorative reproductive health coverage): Presented by Representative Alyssa Brown; sponsor said the bill would offer optional coverage for restorative reproductive medicine without mandating IVF coverage. Passed by voice vote.

- Senate Bill 257 (Medicaid provider requirements; standards change, 35 to 65): Presented by Senator Lundstrom as sponsor in the House; committee passed the bill by voice vote.

- House Bill 17‑68 (amendments made and passed as amended): Sponsor withdrew and later presented a corrected version with amendments; committee passed the bill as amended by voice vote.

- House Bill 12‑77 (underground petroleum storage tanks / reporting deductible adjustments): Representative Grammledge said the change gives ADEQ and the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association tools to reduce orphan tanks; passed by voice vote.

- Senate Bill 460 / related amendment (CAP compliance and grant redirection): Sponsor said the measure reduces the compliance advisory panel to the federally required membership and redirects a small marketing/recyclables grant fund (approx. $28,000) to compliance assistance; passed as amended by voice vote.

- SB 100 (allow physician assistants to be recognized as primary care providers under Medicaid; billing remains at practice level; PAs remain supervised physicians): Sponsor said the change formalizes workflow and administrative recognition; DHS testified physician‑assistant services are reimbursed at 80% of physician rate for covered services. Passed by voice vote.

- House Bill 13‑32 (GLP‑1 coverage for weight loss under Medicaid): Discussed at length with DHS and witnesses; roll call produced eight yes votes and the bill did not meet the 11‑vote threshold required to advance (failed).

- House Bill 18‑82 (expanded governor authority to move populations into PAS program; DHS‑draft amendment adopted): Committee adopted a DHS‑sponsored amendment clarifying governor authority and preserving current 340B practice, but the final motion failed on a roll‑call threshold (8 yes votes; did not meet required 11 votes).

- House Bill 18‑69 (maternal outcomes management system / designation and grant framework): Sponsor said activities and grants would be contingent upon appropriation; initial discussion estimated start‑up costs in the low millions and possible grant pot in the millions; chair recorded that the bill failed to secure the 11‑vote threshold and did not advance.

- House Bill 11‑64 (Medicaid cognitive assessments for early Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnosis): Sponsor and the Alzheimer’s Association described the bill as enabling coverage for cognitive assessments primarily for higher‑risk individuals; passed by voice vote.

- House Bill 18‑56 (increase penalty for perpetual care cemetery violations): Sponsor described constituent concerns and enforcement gaps; committee passed the bill by voice vote.

- House Bill 18‑54 (recognition of prior 40‑hour training for home health workers moving between employers): Sponsor said the bill removes unnecessary retraining; passed by voice vote.

- House Bill 18‑58 (diabetes screening for children at age 3): Sponsor sought further work and requested interim study due to cost and implementation questions; the item was moved to interim study.

Other procedural notes

- Several bills were deferred for additional work, and committee members asked DHS and sponsors for fiscal analyses on items that would change Medicaid coverage or program structure. Members repeatedly requested more detailed cost projections before approving coverage expansions.

What to expect next

Sponsors and DHS said they will continue analysis and may return with more specific fiscal modeling or amendments in a future meeting or during the interim. The committee chair encouraged members to coordinate with staff to move deferred bills back onto the active agenda once outstanding issues are addressed.","During the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee meeting members passed multiple bills by voice vote and took action on several other measures; a few bills failed to reach required thresholds and one item was moved to interim study. This roundup lists actions, outcomes and brief notes on debate where applicable.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee debates expanding governor authority to move Medicaid populations into provider‑led PAS program; bill fails to meet threshold

Committee debates covering GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs under Medicaid; bill fails to reach required threshold

Votes at a glance: committee approves multiple public‑health and regulatory bills, several measures deferred or failed