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Arkansas House To Vote Again On Private Option, Senate Delays Action

Arkansas Capitol

Arkansas' compromise Medicaid expansion is up for a vote in the state House, a day after an effort to keep the program alive failed in that chamber.

The House is expected to vote Wednesday on legislation to continue the "private option" that was approved last year as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health law.

Through the private option, Arkansas is using federal Medicaid funds to purchase private insurance for low-income workers.

The legislation failed in the House Tuesday, falling five votes shy of the 75 needed in the 100-member chamber.

Senate President Michael Lamoureux said his chamber wouldn't vote on an identical funding bill Wednesday as initially planned. Lamoureux said he still believes the measure has the 27 votes needed in the 35-member chamber to pass

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