By:
Miguel Rios
September 24, 2020 // Updated: January 5, 2021
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/Ricardo-Chavez-Oklahoma-Policy-Institute-Medicaid-Stories.jpeg?fit=375%2C281&ssl=1)
Ricardo Chavez has been helping his family navigate through health care access since he could walk. After relying on Medicaid himself years later, he witnessed firsthand the disparity that exists between those with quality access to health care and those without.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 23, 2020 // Updated: September 26, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/Oklahoma-Policy-Institute-Capitol-Update-Former-House-Speaker-Steve-Lewis-2020.png?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
It is an open question whether any sort of law enforcement reform will make it across the finish line during the session next year. The call for reform increased exponentially after the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota and other…
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By:
Dave Hamby
September 20, 2020 // Updated: September 19, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/OKPolicy-The-Weekly-Wonk-Recent-Publications-and-Resources-From-Oklahoma-Policy-Institute.jpg?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
Census data show Oklahoma still lags nation in poverty rate; Policy Matters: Poverty is an issue, now more than ever; Education Secretary appointment may set up interesting dynamic; State has a moral and legal duty to protect inmates from COVID-19.
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By:
Damion Shade
September 19, 2020 // Updated: September 22, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/Blog-COVID-19-Policy-Analysis-Coronavirus-Oklahomas-prisons-and-jails-require-executive-action-to-combat-COVID-19-social-preview.png?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
Numerous prisons in this state are battling growing outbreaks, but Oklahoma’s policymakers still have time to act.
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Proposed policy solutions
• Second federal relief package
• Implement Oklahoma’s Medicaid expansion quickly
• Enforce federal eviction moratorium
• Rent assistance
New Census data released today show Oklahoma’s poverty rate remained higher than the national average in 2019 but…
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 14, 2020 // Updated: September 14, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/Oklahoma-Policy-Institute-Capitol-Update-Former-House-Speaker-Steve-Lewis-2020.png?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
Gov. Kevin Stitt recently announced the appointment of Ryan Walters, a young former classroom teacher from McAlester, as his new Secretary of Education. Walters, who was McAlester Teacher of the Year in 2015 and a finalist for State Teacher of…
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By:
Dave Hamby
September 12, 2020 // Updated: September 12, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/OKPolicy-The-Weekly-Wonk-Recent-Publications-and-Resources-From-Oklahoma-Policy-Institute.jpg?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
Policy Matters: ‘Skinny’ relief bill is inadequate; Oklahoma’s move away from private prisons (Capitol Update); Oklahomans deserve transparency from state leaders.
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By:
Miguel Rios
September 9, 2020 // Updated: February 23, 2021
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/For-this-community-focused-family-Medicaid-coverage-is-essential-Oklahoma-Policy-Institute-Blog.png?fit=375%2C211&ssl=1)
Registered nurse Ginger Glory and her family are dedicated to serving their community in any way they can. However, they also rely on Medicaid to help provide necessary specialty care to their family that is unavailable within the tribal health system.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 8, 2020 // Updated: September 8, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/Oklahoma-Policy-Institute-Capitol-Update-Former-House-Speaker-Steve-Lewis-2020.png?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
Due to a $24.4 million budget cut for FY 2021, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) cancelled its contract with the Cimarron Correctional Facility, a private prison in Cushing. During negotiations, ODOC offered to decrease the number of beds in…
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By:
Dave Hamby
September 6, 2020 // Updated: September 5, 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/OKPolicy-The-Weekly-Wonk-Recent-Publications-and-Resources-From-Oklahoma-Policy-Institute.jpg?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
Every vote counts; Voting & elections: Policy notes and numbers; We're hiring!
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