Arkansas officials outline need to keep state insurance plans well funded

Arkansas regulators are calling for more funding for state employee insurance plans to help avoid future budget shortfalls, KUAR reports. Jake Bleed, director of the state Employee Benefits Division, said the insurance program for public school employees is in good shape for now, but could get worse due to rising health care costs and other factors without action from lawmakers. “Our surplus for 2022 is $63 million, for 2023 we’re tracking at a $25 million surplus,” Bleed said.