(1) The General Assembly finds that: The income of many elderly Arkansans slightly exceeds the Medicaid eligibility level;
(2) Without adequate health care, many elderly Arkansans will develop more serious health problems, causing them to become debilitated and resulting in loss of independence, higher health costs, and possibly death; and
(3) Expanded Medicaid coverage would improve the health of elderly Arkansans, extend their lives, and reduce their health costs.
(4) When funds become available, the Department of Human Services shall raise the resource eligibility limit for persons sixty-five (65) years of age and over to four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a single individual and six thousand dollars ($6,000) for a married couple.