Knowledge is Power: Obamacare Medicaid Expansion (Arkansas Works) So-Called Requirements

An earlier Conduit for Action quiz detailed the history of the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion program, previously called the Private Option and now called Arkansas Works. As a reminder, this is primarily a welfare program providing health insurance paid for by the taxpayers to able-bodied, working age adults, many of whom do not or will not work. According to Governor Asa Hutchinson, this welfare program is a pillar of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). When Governor Hutchinson decided to keep this welfare program and change the name to Arkansas Works, he promoted the idea of “requirements” for work and for some to pay small portions of their premiums.

These “requirements” have become a talking point for the Governor and other legislators. However, actions speak louder than words and reality is not always the perception cast by politicians. A recent waiver the Hutchinson administration submitted to Washington D.C. was also billed as a “work requirement” (exposing the so-called work requirement from the previous year as being a sham).

This quiz will cut through the rhetoric, and focus on the reality and actual implementation of these so-called “requirements”. What people will learn is that when a requirement is not enforced and filled with exemptions and loopholes, it completely undermines the so-called "talking point" requirement.

Sources:

1 – 3: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/dec/19/insured-face-tax-taps-over-amounts-due--1/

4 – 9: DHS Spokesperson, http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/may/20/state-seeks-to-log-medicaid-users-work--1/ ; See Also http://www.conduitforaction.org/still-no-work-requirement-for-arkansas-works-obamcare-in-arkansas/

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* 1. If a person is required to pay a portion (2%) of their health insurance premium under Arkansas Works, and they do not do so, what happens?

That person will be dropped from their health insurance plan. That way they are treated the same as the taxpayers who are funding and subsidizing this Obamacare welfare program if they did not pay their own health insurance plans.

The health insurance premiums are still paid by the taxpayer and there are generally no consequences for the person not adhering to this so-called requirement.

Their wages are garnished for the amounts they owe the state.

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* 2. How much do Arkansas Works recipients currently owe in unpaid premiums?

$2.5 million

$6 million

$8 million

$12 million

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* 3. Will the state charge interest or penalties on these unpaid premiums?

Yes

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* 4. What percentage of people on Arkansas Works currently use the work refferals under the current program framework.

40%

97%

100%, because it is a "requirement"

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* 5. Under a new "work requirement" waiver submitted to the federal government, what percentage of people on the Arkansas Works program would be totally exempt from this "work requirement"?

10%

25%

at least 50%

70%

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* 6. How much will it cost the taxpayers to implement a computer system to track work "requirement" compliance?

$500,000

$1.2 million

$2.5 million

$4 million

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* 7. How many hours must a 19 to 49 year old able to work person actually work under the proposed "work requirement" to the Obamacare Arkansas Works program to keep their health insurance?

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* 8. What are the "options" a person has to fulfill the "work requirement" proposed under the Obamacare Arkansas Works program? At least 80 hours of the following is supposed to be completed each month.

Volunteer

Look for a job (up to 40 hours per month)

Participate in a job search training (up to 40 hours per month)

Participate in activites and programs through the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

Take a class on health insurance, using the health system, or healthy living (up to 20 hours per year)

Participate in "on-the-job" training

Participate in vocational training

Enrollment in an educational program

Actual employment or self-employment

All of the above

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* 9. If a person does not meet their "work requirement" for two straight months (for those not falling under a exemption), will they lose their health insurance?

Yes, this is a monthly requirement. They will be dropped from their coverage unless they fit into one of the exemptions

No, as long as they meet the requirement for the third month and all other months of the year.

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* 10. Have you subscribed to Conduit for Action's email list to get new surveys and articles automatically sent to your inbox?

Yes.

No. Enter email HERE if you wish to subscribe.

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* 1. If a person is required to pay a portion (2%) of their health insurance premium under Arkansas Works, and they do not do so, what happens?

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* 2. How much do Arkansas Works recipients currently owe in unpaid premiums?

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* 3. Will the state charge interest or penalties on these unpaid premiums?

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* 4. What percentage of people on Arkansas Works currently use the work refferals under the current program framework.

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* 5. Under a new "work requirement" waiver submitted to the federal government, what percentage of people on the Arkansas Works program would be totally exempt from this "work requirement"?

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* 6. How much will it cost the taxpayers to implement a computer system to track work "requirement" compliance?

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* 7. How many hours must a 19 to 49 year old able to work person actually work under the proposed "work requirement" to the Obamacare Arkansas Works program to keep their health insurance?

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* 8. What are the "options" a person has to fulfill the "work requirement" proposed under the Obamacare Arkansas Works program? At least 80 hours of the following is supposed to be completed each month.

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* 9. If a person does not meet their "work requirement" for two straight months (for those not falling under a exemption), will they lose their health insurance?

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* 10. Have you subscribed to Conduit for Action's email list to get new surveys and articles automatically sent to your inbox?

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* 11. In what town do you live?