HB 1001 - Arkansas Works Act of 2016

• Creates the Arkansas Works Program to provide health insurance to eligible individuals ages 19-64 with income at or below 138% of federal poverty level through private insurance market mechanisms rather than traditional Medicaid.

• Requires program participants to obtain silver-level health insurance plans through the health insurance marketplace with state-paid premiums and cost-sharing reductions, or employer-sponsored coverage if available and cost-effective.

• Mandates eligible individuals receive annual wellness visits from primary care providers and those earning up to 50% of federal poverty level must participate in job training and job search programs through the Department of Workforce Services.

• Establishes automatic program termination and transition requirements if federal medical assistance percentages fall below specified thresholds (95% in 2017, 94% in 2018, 93% in 2019, 90% in 2020 or later) within 120 days of such reduction.

• Sunsets December 31, 2021; terminates the Health Care Independence Program on December 31, 2016 and creates the Arkansas Works Program Trust Fund for program funding using premium tax collections and spending reductions.