This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services - Division of Medical Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, authorizing a total of 92 regular employee positions, which includes the insertion of a new Fiscal Support Specialist position. It also deletes several existing positions, such as the Assistant Director of Quality Assurance and an Attorney position. The total appropriation for regular salaries is set at $6,166,219, with additional funding bringing the overall total to $12,482,031. The bill allocates over $10 billion for various grant payments, including hospital services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care, while also restricting the use of funds for advertising related to the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Human Services to submit a waiver application to increase reimbursement rates for assisted living facilities and requires monthly updates to the Legislative Council on these actions. It introduces new provisions for postpartum mothers in the Arkansas Medicaid Program, ensuring eligibility redetermination within eight weeks of childbirth and facilitating their transition into available Medicaid categories. The Department is also tasked with applying for federal waivers and providing quarterly reports on these transitions, along with monthly reporting on the Arkansas Medicaid Program Trust Fund. An emergency clause is included to ensure the bill's provisions take effect by July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB19 V3 - 4-24-2024 03:24 PM: 19-5-101, 04-24-2024, 23-64-601, 19-5-402
Old version SB19 V4 - 4-30-2024 02:05 PM: 19-5-101, 04-30-2024, 23-64-601, 19-5-402
SB 19: 19-5-101, 04-30-2024, 23-64-601, 19-5-402
Act 161: 19-5-101, 04-30-2024, 23-64-601, 19-5-402