Jay Bradford, the insurance commissioner, made a final run this morning before a House committee to advocate legislation to set up insurance exchanges in Arkansas to implement federal health legislation. The alternative is to let the Obama administration run the exchanges from Washington. It received a favorable vote, 11-7, drawing the minimum 11 votes required for a “do-pass” recommendation. It fell one vote short last week.
The Democratic Party was prepared to declare victory either way. It excoriated Republicans on the commitee in advance for voting last week for Obamacare, or Washington control of Arkansas health coverage decisions.
The debate was delayed to allow time for all members to be in place. The vote came after 30 minutes of the familiar arguments. Rep. Keith Ingram provided the decisive vote, after not voting Friday.