Gov. Mike Beebe is asking Arkansas electric cooperative officials to support funding for the expansion of Medicaid in Arkansas that will be considered by lawmakers beginning in February.
Beebe spoke Monday at the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Directors Winter Conference in Little Rock. He said Arkansas' private option to expand Medicaid freed enough money for about $100 million in tax cuts during the last legislative session.
Beebe said if funding for Medicaid expansion is denied then other programs will have to be cut. Beebe urged the directors to tell state House and Senate members that they support funding the program.
The governor said he believes some lawmakers are concerned that anything seen as supporting the federal health care law will cost them re-election.