Arkansas Advocates Raise Alarm Over Medicaid and SNAP Cuts
In a recent appearance on Talk Business & Politics and Capitol View, Keesa Smith-Brantley, the executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, voiced concerns regarding proposed Congressional cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). With around 800,000 Arkansans currently relying on Medicaid, Smith-Brantley warned that these cuts could severely impact access to healthcare.
Arkansas has applied for a Medicaid waiver that would implement work requirements for able-bodied adults. However, Smith-Brantley, who has firsthand experience from her time at the state Department of Human Services, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such mandates. “The majority of Arkansans on Medicaid or SNAP are already working,” she stated. She emphasized that the real issue lies in the availability of quality jobs, indicating that if only low-wage positions are available, many individuals will still qualify for Medicaid despite working.
The proposed Congressional cuts to SNAP further exacerbate the situation. A House proposal could leave Arkansas responsible for an unprecedented $110 million, while a Senate version suggests a slightly more manageable $55 million. "Our state legislature and governor will have to figure out how to cover these costs," she explained. Without these funds, Smith-Brantley warns, the state may have no choice but to eliminate SNAP altogether.
This week, the annual KIDS COUNT Data Book highlighted Arkansas’s dismal rankings in education, health, and economic well-being, placing it 45th nationally. Smith-Brantley remains hopeful that recent legislative efforts, such as the LEARNS Act, will yield positive changes, particularly in literacy rates.
For more insights, viewers can watch Smith-Brantley’s full interview in the video linked below.
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