More than a quarter million Arkansans depend on the private option for health insurance. Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s address to the General Assembly this morning including this stirring reminder of the stakes this week and in the fiscal session to come: 

This is one of those moments in history where your decision will impact our communities, our economy, our balanced budget, our health care system, and most importantly the lives of thousands of real people that reside in each of your districts.

It is about the lady in West Memphis who works full time at a sandwich shop and has a four-year old daughter and is seven months pregnant. She has health coverage. She doesn’t go to the doctor a lot but she has piece of mind because she has prenatal care and health coverage that is otherwise not available.

It’s about the 60-year-old gentleman in Jonesboro who has been a self-employed painter and handyman for more than 40 years. He had heart problems, slowed his work capability down. He could not afford health insurance. He got health insurance because he made less than federal poverty level. He said, “I’ve never asked for help. I didn’t want to be one of those guys that asked the government for help.” But he says he would have died without this health coverage.

These stories remind us of our responsibility. We serve people, not causes. We serve one agenda – and that is the agenda of the people of Arkansas.  

Support for special health care reporting made possible by the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.

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