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In The Know is a daily synopsis of Oklahoma policy-related news and blogs. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
Today In The News
Plan aired to bring docs to rural areas: Oklahoma State University officials on Wednesday announced a six-year, $3.8 million grant from the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust to help fund a medical residency program in mostly rural parts of the state. OSU President Burns Hargis said the money from the trust fund will be matched with $5.6 million in federal funding through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority [The Republic]. Increasing the number of rural providers can help improve Oklahoma’s health care as a whole by strengthening access to care [OK Policy].
Upcoming event: Zarrow Mental Health Symposium: Mental Health Association Oklahoma will host the 21st annual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium September 17 – 18, 2015 at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa (100 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103). This year’s theme is “Integrating Healthcare: Treating Mind, Body, and Spirit” [OK Policy].
Memorial held for Labor Commissioner Mark Costello: A memorial gathering for lain state Labor Commissioner Mark Costello was held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa on Wednesday [Tulsa World]. Costello’s body will lie in repose in the Capitol rotunda today [KOCO]. Costello’s family has requested donations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Oklahoma in lieu of flowers [KSWO].
10 years later, Hurricane Katrina victims call Tulsa home: More than 1,500 Katrina evacuees were bused to Camp Gruber, a National Guard base near Muskogee, where the Tulsa chapter of the American Red Cross had 48 hours’ notice to set up shelters, medical clinics and kitchens. The convoy came nonstop from Houston, and some evacuees had soiled their pants aboard the buses. Others were too exhausted to get out of their seats, and a frantic — but, fortunately, inaccurate — report went out over Red Cross walkie-talkies that bodies were on board [Tulsa World].
Controversies surround organizations serving the poor and homeless: Controversy has erupted in Tulsa over a soup kitchen and food pantry’s plan to relocate to the Pearl District [Tulsa World]. Night Light, a Tulsa organization that serves the poor and homeless weekly under a downtown bridge, is under threat from the city council [Tulsa World]. Following an emotional city council meeting, a homeless shelter in Norman is one step closer to relocating to the east side of the city [Norman Transcript].
Video: Forum on OKC Police, Minority Communities: Video of the Oklahoma Watch-Out forum on police and minority communities, featuring Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty and Councilman John Pettis Jr, is now available [Oklahoma Watch].
Two correctional officers receive national honor: Two correctional officers from Oklahoma have been honored for their actions during a 2014 hostage situation at the Lexington prison. [Journal Record]. The state’s prisons are operating at 116 percent of capacity but only 60 percent of staff, prompting state House Speaker Jeff Hickman to report that the system is “one lawsuit away” from a federal takeover [OK Policy].
Schools ask for piece of Tulsa Vision renewal for teacher recruitment, student safety: Tulsa schools have suggested using Vision funds to provide housing assistance and summer professional development for Tulsa teachers. Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist said it would cost a little more than $5 million a year. Jenks Public Schools Superintendent Stacey Butterfield said they also want more sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, and better signs and road markings around schools. [KWGS].
Quote of the Day
“It really excites me, because I want to go back and practice in a rural area. Having these residencies in those rural areas allows us to actually go out and be in the community. You kind of become a part of that community, and that’s important in getting us to stay there.”
– Jesse Arthur, a third-year medical student at Oklahoma State from Pauls Valley, speaking about a TSET grant to OSU to establish a medical residency program in rural parts of the state (Source)
Number of the Day
1st
Oklahoma’s ranking out of all 50 states for percentage for special education students expelled from school
Source: Oklahoma Watch.
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
A Racial Gap In Attitudes Toward Hospice Care: Hospice use has been growing fast in the United States as more people choose to avoid futile, often painful medical treatments in favor of palliative care and dying at home surrounded by loved ones. Nearly half of white Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in hospice before death, compared with only a third of black patients. At the root of the resistance, say researchers and black physicians, is a toxic distrust of a health care system that once displayed “No Negroes” signs at hospitals, performed involuntary sterilizations on black women and, in an infamous Tuskegee study, purposely left hundreds of black men untreated for syphilis [Kaiser Health News].
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