LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers are expected to focus on a proposed $114 million increase in funding for Medicaid as they continue budget hearings for the legislative session.
The Joint Budget Committee is to meet Thursday and plans to review the proposed budgets for the Health and the Human Services departments. The panel began its hearings on Tuesday in preparation for the session that begins Feb. 13.
Gov. Mike Beebe has proposed a $117 million increase in the Human Services budget, with most of that intended for growth in Medicaid. Beebe has proposed a $4.7 billion total budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
A budget subcommittee that will look at the financially troubled Arkansas Forestry Commission is also scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon.
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