Topic: Health

Managed care is a bad investment for Oklahoma

Following voters’ approval of Medicaid expansion during the June 30 election, Oklahoma’s next steps should be relatively simple. The state has already been providing high-quality, low-cost Medicaid for years; the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) has a decades-long track record of excellence in efficiency and effectiveness. OHCA could expand Medicaid to cover more than 200,000 low-income Oklahomans for between $125 million and $164 million, all without raising taxes.   [More...]

Ensuring Medicaid expansion delivers on its full potential

While voting to expand Medicaid was a monumental step forward, the subsequent decisions by our elected officials and policymakers are just as important to ensure that Oklahomans get the most impact from their investment. The state’s processes moving forward with expansion will impact hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans and it’s important they get it right. [More...]

SQ 814: Decrease Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund Payments and Fund Medicaid Program Amendment

State Question 814 would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to change the way Oklahoma’s tobacco settlement money is distributed.  [More...]

Oklahoma City man experiences health care disparities first hand

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. [More...]

Census data show Oklahoma still lags nation in poverty rate

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… Read more [More...]

For this community-focused family, Medicaid coverage is essential

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. [More...]

A closer look at SQ 802 results dispels myth that Oklahomans voted against their self-interest

A look at the results with attention to more than surface-level detail reveals a more accurate picture of the election: close vote counts in most precincts, a correlation between votes and income, and a strong impact from American Indian communities. [More...]

No matter how we fund it, Medicaid expansion will be the best investment we’ve ever made

Oklahomans on June 30 approved State Question 802, which amended the Oklahoma Constitution to expand Medicaid to low-income adults. Now it’s time to take the next step in implementing that promise. Funding expansion will be a key issue for the Legislature to tackle this spring. [More...]

Statement Re: Passage of State Question 802

Statement from the Oklahoma Policy Institute: Oklahomans made the right choice Tuesday by passing SQ 802, which will provide life-changing health care coverage for more than 200,000 Oklahomans and create a significant economic stimulus when implemented. OK Policy is grateful… Read more [More...]

‘We really needed Medicaid expansion a long time ago’

Medical student Daniel Pham has seen firsthand the benefits Medicaid expansion would have on Oklahoma’s most vulnerable residents. He believes expansion is the first step to lowering Oklahoma's uninsured rate, making our communities healthier, and providing Oklahomans with the care they deserve. [More...]