Topic: Health

STATEMENT: Governor’s proposed budget falls far short

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement in response to Governor Fallin’s state of the state address and budget proposal: It is a positive sign for Oklahoma that the Governor has significantly scaled back her tax cut proposal from last… Read more [More...]

Quotes in Favor of Medicaid Expansion

Health Care Providers Pam Cross, Executive Director the Health Alliance for the Uninsured – “We really support efforts to look at this from several perspectives — certainly the health care needs of individuals, but also the impact that their poor… Read more [More...]

Guest Blog (Shelley Cadamy Munoz): As good as it gets

Shelley Cadamy Munoz, a Tulsa resident, is the adoptive mother of three children. This post first appeared on her blog on January 20, 2013 and is reposted with permission. Usually when I write, I try to come up with some… Read more [More...]

Wither Insure Oklahoma?

In announcing that Oklahoma would not take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to expand Medicaid to cover low-income adults, Governor Mary Fallin stated she was committed to developing an “Oklahoma Plan to reduce the… Read more [More...]

Crappy Holidays: Retail work in Oklahoma

Early January is a busy time of year for retail stores.  Shoppers flock to malls and shopping centers to take advantage of storewide after-holiday sales, spend their gift cards, and return or exchange items.  While many consumers find the holiday… Read more [More...]

Graph of the Day: Off Medicaid and ‘back to work’?

Incoming House Speaker T.W. Shannon recently suggested that SoonerCare/Medicaid enrollees in Oklahoma should get “off of Medicaid and back to work.”  The idea that the Medicaid program is providing health care to adults who are choosing not to work is… Read more [More...]

What Governor Fallin’s healthcare decisions mean for Oklahomans

Just before Thanksgiving, Governor Mary Fallin announced a pair of important decisions related to the Affordable Care Act. She said that Oklahoma would not participate in the expansion of Medicaid for low-income adults and would not create its own state-based… Read more [More...]

How medical debt erodes Oklahomans’ financial security

Medical debt is money owed for medical goods or services, like doctor’s visits, lab fees, or hospital stays.  One survey of low-income households in eight states, including Oklahoma, found that 46 percent of low-income households carried medical debt.  National survey… Read more [More...]

Leadership urged to reconsider Medicaid expansion decision

In a letter from its Board of Directors, Oklahoma Policy Institute has urged Governor Fallin and legislative leaders to reconsider the Governor’s decision not to participate in the expansion of Medicaid for uninsured low-income adults. “The practical benefits of accepting… Read more [More...]

Medicaid Expansion: OK Policy’s Letter to Leadership

To:      Governor Mary Fallin             Speaker-Elect T.W. Shannon             President Pro Tem Brian Bingman From: Oklahoma Policy Institute David Blatt, Director             Board of Directors             Vincent LoVoi, Chair             Don Millican             Nancy Robertson                     Albert ‘Kell’ Kelly             Steve Burrage             Susan Neal             Linda Edmondson Subject: Medicaid… Read more [More...]