Category: Press Releases & Statements

KIDS COUNT 2021: Oklahoma remains in bottom 10 for child well-being

Oklahoma children remain in the nation’s bottom 10 when it comes to major health and well-being indicators, according to the 2021 edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book published annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.   Oklahoma ranks 42nd overall… Read more [More...]

OK Policy announces three new board members

The Oklahoma Policy Institute has announced the addition of three new members for its board of directors. [More...]

Statement, Re: FY 2022 Budget Agreement

More than 100 days into this current legislative session, Oklahoma lawmakers emerged from weeks of closed door discussions to release details for the coming year’s state budget.  Based on the information presented during a Thursday afternoon media conference, we’re pleased… Read more [More...]

May 25 online event will help provide resources to help individuals, organizations connect Oklahomans to health care 

As Oklahoma prepares to expand Medicaid coverage starting July 1, Oklahomans who are newly eligible for health care coverage need to know both that they are eligible to apply and how to apply for coverage. To fill this information gap,… Read more [More...]

OK Policy to Host American Indian Health Care Spotlight on April 29

Nearly 200,000 more Oklahomans will have access to life-saving health care when Medicaid expansion goes into effect on July 1, including tribal citizens who would benefit from closing existing health care coverage gaps.  To spotlight health care options for American… Read more [More...]

OK Policy Statement: Half-billion dollars in corporate and individual tax cuts is irresponsible, shortsighted and dangerous

It’s been just three years since Oklahoma lawmakers passed a historic $531 million in additional state revenue to support education. On Thursday, the Oklahoma House approved a sweeping set of corporate and individual tax cuts that undoes that historic achievement… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma among worst states for higher education cuts, harming students who already face the greatest barriers

Even before COVID-19 brought new challenges to state education systems, a new report out this week shows that Oklahoma was one of 6 states that cut higher education funding by more than 30 percent between 2008 and 2019: Oklahoma cut higher education allocations by 35.3 percent, or $3,515, per student in 2019 when compared with a decade earlier. Oklahoma had the nation’s third largest percentage decrease in state higher education funding during that period, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report released Feb. 17.  [More...]

OK Policy’s Response to 2021 State of the State Address

In pointing Oklahomans towards his vision of Oklahoma as a Top 10 state, Gov. Stitt during his State of the State address shared a quote he attributed to Will Rogers: “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” However,… Read more [More...]

Statement: OHCA’s approval of privatizing Oklahoma’s health care is bad health care policy and lacks sufficient public comment processes

Statement from Carly Putnam, Policy Director for the Oklahoma Policy Institute:  “The OHCA’s decision today to approve funding for privatizing management for the state’s Medicaid program was rushed, disallowed a robust public comment process, and advanced bad health care policy… Read more [More...]

OK Policy Statement: State officials forcing public to choose between health, government participation 

UPDATE: OHCA officials said Wednesday morning (Jan. 20) that this meeting will be rescheduled following a decision by the board chair. # # # The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is continuing to stifle taxpayers who want to comment on a… Read more [More...]