Gov. Mike Beebe: Arkansas' Pre-Existing Condition

Governor Admitted Concerns, Failed to Make Effort to Protect Arkansas

“In the end, Mike Beebe just decided that Arkansas will give up without a fight. 

That is the complete absence of leadership.”

 – Tim Murtaugh, Republican Governors Association

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has failed to be a vocal defender of his state against looming unfunded federal mandates resulting from the federal takeover of the entire health care system by Washington Democrats and has determined that he will give up without a fight.  The government-run medical system is a massive shift in policy which will blow wide holes in state budgets, kill jobs, drive up costs, increase taxes and restrict freedom of Americans’ medical choices. 

While Congress and President Obama were headed down this disastrous path, Beebe admitted that it would harm Arkansas’ budget, particularly in the area of Medicaid.  However, he largely sat on his hands and watched the process move forward without expending much effort.  Sadly, while nearly 40 states are taking action to protect themselves from the unfunded mandates and economic damage rolling down from Washington, DC, Beebe has already determined that Arkansas will take its lumps:

“…Beebe said today he and state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel have not had any conversation about Arkansas challenging the bill’s mandates, though the governor says he has concerns about increased demands on the state Medicaid program.”

“Good leaders get out in front of problematic situations, which is exactly what Mike Beebe has not done regarding the monstrous government takeover of health care,” said Tim Murtaugh, spokesman for the Republican Governors Association.  “First, he meekly observed how bad it will be for Arkansas when this is implemented, then he didn’t aggressively lobby his members of Congress.  In the end, Mike Beebe just decided that Arkansas will give up without a fight.  That is the complete absence of leadership.”