The Latest: Hutchinson uses veto to save Medicaid program

Arkansas was the first state to win approval for its hybrid Medicaid program, created three years ago as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care law.

Arkansas lawmakers have approved a plan to preserve the state's hybrid Medicaid expansion, backing an unusual tactic requiring a veto from Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson to save the program covering more than 250,000 poor people.

The House on Thursday voted 76-13 with 11 voting present to approve a Medicaid budget bill that would end the program using federal funds to purchase private insurance on Dec. 31.

Hutchinson and legislative leaders pushed for the line-item veto plan after the Medicaid budget bill with the expansion funded fell short of the three-fourths votes needed in the Senate.