(a) The appropriate division of the Department of Human Services is authorized to establish a program to provide for long-term care facility care for all residents of this state who are found to be qualified for and in need of long-term care facility care, as provided in this section.

(b) The program shall consist of:

(1) Long-term care facililty care for those persons eligible to receive medical care benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act in accordance with federal and state regulations promulgated therefor, within the maximum limitations provided under federal law or regulation for federal reimbursement for long-term care facility care under Title XIX of the Social Security Act; and

(2) A program of state financial assistance for long-term care facility care for persons who are not eligible for medical care benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act to the extent that the cost of the class of long-term care facility care for which the person is determined to be qualified exceeds the ability of the person to pay for the care.

(c)

(1) However, the deputy director of the appropriate division of the department shall, in establishing the level of payment for services and benefits for long-term care facility care to be provided under the provisions of this section, promulgate appropriate rules and regulations to limit the cost of services to the State of Arkansas to funds available or estimated to be available to the appropriate division for that purpose during each fiscal year.

(2) The regulations promulgated by the deputy director shall provide that all persons eligible within each class of eligibility shall receive equal consideration for benefits.

(3) The deputy director of the appropriate division of the department is authorized to promulgate such additional rules and regulations as deemed to be necessary to prevent abuse of benefits under this section, yet make available to the residents of this state who are eligible the full benefits of this section within the limitation of funds available therefor.

(d) The Director of the Department of Human Services, with the approval of the Governor and after obtaining the advice of the Legislative Council, may provide for an expanded comprehensive program of long-term care facility care for residents of this state if he or she deems the program advisable or appropriate in order to take advantage of expanded federal programs or participation therein, within the limitation of funds that may be available to the department therefor.

(e) [Repealed.]