House GOP leader says Medicaid a work in progress

LITTLE ROCK—The Republican leader of the Arkansas House says his party is still working on legislation to change the state’s Medicaid system.

Rep. Bruce Westerman told reporters Monday that he believes fraud and abuse are major problems in the system based on anecdotal evidence he has seen.

He declined to be more specific about the alleged fraud or about the reforms Republicans would be proposing to fix it. Westerman said Republican lawmakers would be releasing proposed reforms later this session.

Gov. Mike Beebe has said that while he believes the state already effectively combats Medicaid fraud, he would be open to any proposals to further reduce it.

Lawmakers are deciding how to solve a Medicaid budget shortfall and whether to expand the program under the federal health care law.