In March 2017, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his intention to seek a waiver allowing a work requirement for certain recipients of the state's expanded Medicaid program, known as Arkansas Works. The requirement, because of which over 12,000 Arkansas Works recipients have lost coverage so far this year, is the first of its kind in the country.
Reporter Benji Hardy with the Arkansas Times and the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network was at that press conference, and has been following the story ever since. Hardy's latest article for both outlets is titled "When Arkansas Works Doesn't," and examines the story behind two women who lost their health insurance coverage for failing to comply with the state's 80-hour-a-month work requirement.
Hardy spoke with KUAR's Daniel Breen about his latest story, and about the origins of Medicaid expansion and the work requirement in Arkansas.
Click the audio link above to hear the full interview.