We repealed that provision in this year's legislative session. Another example of a way we're trying to help families is through ARKids First. Before, the program was created, some parents were forced to give up Medicaid benefits for their children if they got jobs. ARKids First allows those in families who make up to twice the federal poverty level to keep their jobs and get health insurance for their children. More than 6,000 children have health coverage because of ARKids First, and the number is growing.
Parents work hard to support their families.
If government is going to tax their income, it needs to use their money wisely. That's why we've appointed some of the most capable people in Arkansas to administer state government. Lee Frazier at the Department of Human Services, Mike Pickens at the Insurance Department, Rush Deacon at the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Mike Dodson at the Securities Department and others have left lucrative private-sector jobs to help make state agencies more efficient and effective. Dr. Sandra Nichols, director of the Department of Health, turned down a much higher salary in North Carolina because she cares about Arkansas and wants to make it a better, healthier state. Recently, we added another name to that list.