Arkansas Lawmaker Urges Delay On 'Private Option' Vote

The Republican chairman of the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee says he believes Arkansas  lawmakers should delay voting on a proposal to tap federal Medicaid money to buy private health care insurance for low-income residents.  

Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway told reporters he believes lawmakers should recess for about three weeks to brief the public on the "private option" proposal being considered as an alternative to expanding Medicaid's enrollment under the federal health care law.

The House was expected to vote on the proposal Thursday afternoon and an attached budget bill the following day.  

Rapert did not vote on the private option bill when it was approved by the Senate last week. Rapert said he believed lawmakers could wrap up other remaining issues before recessing for a few weeks.