Arkansas Works Act of 2016: Private Option: Medicaid funds used to purchase private health insurance (QHPs) in the exchange for people who are eligible for expanded Medicaid (enrollees can pick from among available silver plans in their area, and Arkansas Medicaid pays the premiums). Notwithstanding any general or specific laws to the contrary, it is the intent of the General Assembly for the Arkansas Works Program to be a fiscally sustainable, cost-effective, and opportunity-driven program that:
(1) Empowers individuals to improve their economic security and achieve self-reliance;
(2) Builds on private insurance market competition and value-based insurance purchasing models;
(3) Strengthens the ability of employers to recruit and retain productive employees; and
(4) Achieves comprehensive and innovative healthcare reform that reduces state and federal obligations for entitlement spending.