Committee backs resolution encouraging state to align Medicaid rules with recent federal change for Compact migrants

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee adopted an amendment and passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, a nonbinding measure encouraging the governor to amend state Medicaid eligibility rules to extend coverage to migrants from the Compact of Free Association islands.

Sen. Eads, who introduced the amendment, told the committee the change would align Arkansas policy with a recent federal law. "Congress passed a bill just this last December that was signed into law by President Trump called the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, which again makes these citizens eligible for Medicaid coverage," Sen. Eads said. He described the resolution as a way for the legislature to "participate in the process" and formally encourage the executive branch to move forward.

Mary Franklin, director of the Division of County Operations at the Department of Human Services, identified herself for the record and was present to answer procedural questions about changing eligibility rules.

Sen. Sullivan asked why the governor needed encouragement; Sen. Eads said he believed the governor was willing to act but that the legislature wanted to register its view and participate in the process.

The committee adopted an amendment to the resolution and then approved the resolution by voice vote. As a concurrent resolution, the measure expresses legislative support but does not itself change eligibility rules; any statutory or regulatory change would require separate executive or legislative action.