Topic: Health

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...]

Jeff Alderman: Missouri analysis shows economic benefits of Medicaid expansion

Jeff Alderman, MD is an associate professor at OU-Tulsa, and a regular contributor to OK Policy’s blog Governor Mary Fallin recently decided to forego Medicaid expansion for low-income adults in Oklahoma under the Affordable Care Act.  The Governor asserted that… Read more [More...]

Wrong Number: Medicaid cost estimates are exaggerated and misleading

In announcing her decision not to participate in the expansion of Medicaid for low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act, Governor Mary Fallin asserted: Expanding Medicaid as written in the [Affordable Care Act] would cost the state of Oklahoma as… Read more [More...]

STATEMENT: Governor’s decision not to join Medicaid expansion is deeply troubling

Governor Fallin’s decision not to expand the Medicaid program to cover uninsured low-income adults is deeply troubling and unfortunate, putting politics over the interests of Oklahomans. Read more... [More...]