READ A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON OUR NATIONWIDE LISTENING TOUR.
The Campaign for an American Solution made its eighth stop in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Campaign joined Governor Mike Beebe in his ongoing roundtables with stakeholders in the health care reform debate.
The inclusion of the Campaign in one of the Governor’s roundtables was a natural fit. It allowed the Campaign to hear directly from stakeholders who have been discussing the same issues as the Campaign.
In fact, Arkansas started its roundtable for the same reason the Campaign has been talking directly with Americans all over the country: to find common ways to develop comprehensive health care reform and strengthen health care in America.
To view Karen Ignagni's presentation to the Governor's Roundtable, click here.
Arkansas faces the same problems and question on health care as the other states on the Campaign’s tour. Arkansas’s small businesses and individuals are forcing the same tough choices that other employers and individuals from other states are facing. According to the 2005 Arkansas Fact Book: A Profile of the Uninsured:
- 17% of residents of Arkansas do not have health insurance compared to 16% nationally;
- In 2004, only 3 out of 4 adults aged 19-64 had insurance.
The Fact Book also demonstrates that employers in Arkansas are the main source of health care coverage for the citizens of Arkansas. But like other states, small businesses are finding it tough to provide health care coverage for employees. In fact:
- In 2004, 71% of Arkansans received health care coverage as a benefit of employment.
- In 2003, 93% of Arkansan companies employing 50 or more employees provided health care coverage.
On the other hand, only 26% of Arkansan small businesses employing 50 or less employees provided health care coverage to employees.
For more information on Arkansas health care statistics click here for the full 2005 Arkansas Fact Book: A Profile of the Uninsured.
