Statement from Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, on the passage of the Private Option:

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) would like to applaud the legislature for backing Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s plan to continue funding for the Private Option. The Private Option provides affordable, quality health coverage to over 220,000 Arkansans. It has also provided financial certainty for our hospitals and the state’s budget.

The Private Option has been a huge success. Beyond improving health – the rate of uninsured adults was cut in half over the last year – the Private Option has been good for hospitals in Arkansas, reducing the cost of treating uninsured patients by over $69 million in just six months.

A legislative task force will determine what shape the Private Option and the broader Medicaid program will take in the future. AACF will work to make sure our lawmakers know how important quality, affordable coverage is for Arkansas families.