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Committee hears major proposal to raise Arkansas hospital reimbursements; amendment adopted, final vote delayed
Summary
Representatives and hospital leaders debated a wide-ranging bill to lift a floor on commercial hospital reimbursements relative to neighboring states. Lawmakers adopted an amendment changing a numeric threshold and asked for more data; the committee did not finish consideration and will reconvene.
Lawmakers spent several hours debating a proposal led by Representative Wardlaw aimed at narrowing the gap between commercial hospital reimbursements in Arkansas and neighboring states. Supporters argued the state’s hospitals — particularly rural facilities — receive some of the lowest commercial payment rates in the nation and face closure risk; opponents warned of premium increases for employers and employees.
Representative Wardlaw said Arkansas hospitals are paid well below neighboring states: “A hospital in nearby Oklahoma treating the same patient with the same…
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