Arkansas Governor Declares Clinton Administration Directive To Enroll Eligible Children In ARKids A ‘Moot’

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is considering a directive from the Clinton administration on the state's Medicaid program "moot" since the Bush administration has not attempted to enforce it, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported last month. In July 2000, HCFA (now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) ordered the state to enroll all eligible children in ARKids A, the state's traditional Medicaid program, instead of allowing parents to select to enroll their children in ARKids B, a Medicaid waiver program that covers children with higher incomes. The waiver program requires a "small" copayment and offers fewer services than the traditional Medicaid program. Saying that free coverage under the ARKids A program carries a "stigma," Huckabee has wanted to allow parents of Medicaid-eligible children to choose between the two programs (Blomeley, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/21). Huckabee added that some "prideful" parents would prefer to enroll their children in ARKids B because they "want to contribute to their children's health coverage" through the copays. Despite the Clinton administration's order to place all Medicaid-eligible children into ARKids A, Huckabee resisted "in the hopes that Bush would be elected" (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 2/23). After "dar[ing]" the Clinton administration to take away federal funding for not following the order, Huckabee said he thought the Bush administration, with Tommy Thompson as HHS secretary, would allow Arkansas to manage the programs as it saw fit. Referring to the Clinton directive, Huckabee said, "Our thought is the administration that sent that letter is gone. That administration is gone, and we haven't had a moment of trouble from the Bush administration."

Pending Waiver Request
Arkansas filed a waiver request in February, which is still pending, that would allow parents to choose between the two programs, the Democrat-Gazette reports. Peter Ashkenaz, a spokesperson for CMS, said last month that the agency was "waiting for a response" from Arkansas before making a decision on the waiver. State Medicaid Director Ray Hanley, however, said it is "unnecessary" for CMS to take action. "It is simply not an issue of concern at this time with any parties as far as I can tell," he said. While CMS has not "expressed approval," Hanley said he believes that federal approval "is not needed" and that the state will "address ... questions [that] come up with federal authorities" (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/21). For further information on state health policy in Arkansas, visit State Health Facts Online.