Alabama Lottery Bill To Fund Medicaid Misses Deadline For November Ballot
If the legislature, which is meeting in a special session, eventually goes forward with the proposal favored by the governor, the vote will have to take place in a special election. Also in Medicaid news, Arkansas officials report that more than 300,000 people are signed up for the state's expanded Medicaid program.
AL.com:
Alabama Lottery Bill Won't Make It On November Ballot
The Alabama House of Representatives today blocked a committee meeting that was necessary for Gov. Robert Bentley's lottery proposal to get on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election. That means that if lawmakers still approve a proposed constitutional amendment to allow a lottery during the special session, a special election would be required to place it on the ballot for voters. Bentley, who proposed the lottery as a way to boost funding for the state General Fund and Medicaid, said this evening he was not giving up, even though it would now require a special election. (Cason, 8/23)
Arkansas Online:
307,878 Listed On Expanded Medicaid Rolls
The number of Arkansans who had completed enrollment in the state's expanded Medicaid program reached 307,878 at the end of last month, exceeding by more than 50,000 state officials' initial estimate of those who would be eligible. The number covered under the program as of July 31 could be even higher because the enrollment total didn't include applicants who had been deemed eligible but who had not yet completed enrollment. (Davis, 8/24)