ICYMI: Republicans Defeat Democratic Attempt to Waste Taxpayer Dollars Implementing ObamaCare

Insurance chief denied OK to spend fed funds on health insurance exchange

By John Lyon, Arkansas News Bureau, April 5, 2012
LITTLE ROCK — A legislative panel today failed to endorse state spending from a multimillion-dollar federal grant to implement a key component of the national health care reform law.

State Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford had sought an endorsement from the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Subcommittee for the state Insurance Department’s use of a $7.7 million federal grant to fund various aspects of planning for a federally mandated health insurance exchange in Arkansas.

The subcommittee voted 10-3 on the request, with 11 votes needed for a favorable review from the 20-member panel.

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The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in legal challenges to the federal health care law last week. A ruling is expected in June.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of states waiting for the next two months to see some resolution before we spend millions of dollars of taxpayer money,” said Rep. John Burris, R-Harrison...

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Voting for the motion were Reps. Tiffany Rogers, D-Stuttgart; Tommy Baker, D-Osceola; David “Bubba” Powers, D-Hope; Linda Tyler, D-Conway; Gary Leding, D-Fayetteville; and John Catlett, D-Rover, voting as the alternate of Robert Moore Jr., D-Arkansas City; and Sens. Luker; Sue Madison, D-Fayetteville; Gene Jeffress, D-Louann; and Mary Anne Salmon, D-North Little Rock.

Voting against it were Reps. Burris, Rice and Robert Dale, R-Dover, and Sen. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home. Co-chairman Rep. James McLean, D-Batesville, did not vote...
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