Arkansas on epic healthcare reform quest

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signs the state's "private option" Medicaid expansion law in April 2013. /npr.org photo

I have been politically aware since Jimmy Carter was elected president and a member of the U.S. workforce nearly as long. Arkansas' level of cooperation and conciliation on healthcare reform seems unprecedented.

The Natural State is on the verge of creating the country's first public-private, universal payer, value-based healthcare delivery system. This pioneering effort could show the way forward for many other states.

In the most exciting project I have worked on so far at HealthLeaders Media, top Arkansas officials including Gov. Mike Beebe share their amazing healthcare reform journey in a three-part series of stories and accompanying health plan column:

Health Plan Column: An Unlikely State Schools Nation on Healthcare Payment Reform

Part I: Crisis Spurs Healthcare Payment Reform in Arkansas

Part II: Governor Details Healthcare Payment Reform Path in Arkansas

Part III: Payment Reform Paying Off in Arkansas, For Now