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Arkansas Lawmaker: Hold Off On Vendor Request For Insurance Exchange

David Sanders
Michael Hibblen
/
KUAR News

A state legislator is asking a panel to hold off on looking at vendors for Arkansas' insurance exchange as lawmakers weigh the future of the state's Medicaid expansion and health care system.

Republican Sen. David Sanders on Tuesday asked the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Board of Directors to delay releasing its request for qualifications for information technology vendors for the insurance exchange. Sanders co-chairs the marketplace's legislative oversight committee.

Sanders noted that Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson last month questioned whether the state should move forward with its plans for a state-run exchange. Hutchinson last month said he'd support keeping Arkansas' compromise Medicaid expansion if the state can make key changes to the program.

Sanders also noted the state is awaiting a consultant's review of its Medicaid eligibility and enrollment system.

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