Arkansas Governor Proposes $150M Medicaid Increase in FY2028 Budget
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders unveiled a nearly $7 billion fiscal year 2028 budget proposal that includes $150 million in new Medicaid funding, plus $200 million in one-time surplus funds and $75 million in dedicated interest earnings for the program, alongside $25 million for SNAP, $70 million for school vouchers and $20 million for early childhood education. The increased Medicaid administrative funding includes $34 million for supportive living services for Arkansans with complex disabilities who have been on a waitlist. Finance Secretary Jim Hudson told lawmakers Medicaid claims spiked this year but said the state can meet Medicaid's operational needs through the end of fiscal year 2027. Advocacy group Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families praised the Medicaid and SNAP investments but called the budget "light on details," and House Democratic leader Andrew Collins said the new Medicaid funding won't cover needed provider reimbursement rate increases.