According to Gov. Mike Beebe’s own whip count, the Arkansas House is two votes shy of continuing its privatized Medicaid expansion under Obamacare and saving health coverage for more than 80,000 people.
Beebe told reporters Monday in Washington, where he had been attending the National Governor’s Association annual meeting, that he believed there were 73 votes in favor of accepting federal funds for the expansion. He needs 75 votes out of the 100-member House because the Arkansas constitution requires that funding bills receive a 75-percent supermajority in both chambers.
The Democratic governor said he thought two members were undecided, so he and the House leadership have no room for error in pushing the funding bill through.
The bill has failed multiple times in the House since clearing the Senate, but House Republican leaders have pledged to keep voting until it passes. The next vote is expected Tuesday.
