Topic: Health

Rebuilding Oklahoma: Policy Recommendations to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Strengthen Our State for the Long Term

The Oklahoma Policy Institute has evaluated legislative and administrative actions — both state and federal — that will best prepare the state for a long-term recovery that benefits the health and well-being of all Oklahomans. [More...]

‘Safe at Home’ slows virus outbreak, but endangers domestic violence survivors (Guest Post: Molly Bryant)

As Oklahoma families hunker down in their homes because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many domestic violence advocates are bracing for the increase in family violence. While essential for public health, the so-called “safe at home” policies have isolated domestic violence survivors with their abusers under tense conditions making them, ironically, less safe at home. [More...]

Oklahoma needs Medicaid expansion yesterday 

Oklahoma’s Medicaid expansion is long overdue, but focusing attention on a July 1 start date overlooks an important fact: there is nothing preventing Oklahoma from expanding Medicaid now, and Gov. Stitt should act to do so as soon as possible.  [More...]

Oklahoma’s safety requires statewide “stay-at-home” order

Gov. Stitt on Wednesday extended his executive order to close non-essential businesses to all 77 counties through April 30. However, that’s not enough. To slow the virus’s spread and give our health systems the resources to respond, Gov. Stitt should issue a statewide stay-at-home order.  [More...]

Governor should extend health care comment period as virtual ‘public hearings’ lack transparency, full representation

As Oklahomans are rightly turning their attention to our nation’s urgent health emergency, Gov. Stitt should withdraw his health care proposal, or at the very least, extend the comment period to allow as many Oklahomans to participate.  [More...]

COVID-19 crisis shows the need for health care now. Here’s three things lawmakers can do to protect Oklahomans’ health care. 

There are many things the state can do to address the issues, but here are three actions state policymakers must immediately take. [More...]

OK Policy: Oklahoma making mockery of public hearing process

"The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is making a mockery of the public hearing process and appears oblivious to the fact that there is a national health emergency occurring." [More...]

Medicaid expansion: An opportunity to improve financial health

With 14 percent of residents uninsured, a significant portion of Oklahomans are at risk of incurring financially devastating medical debt. An important yet often overlooked outcome of Medicaid expansion is the positive impact it has on the financial well-being of beneficiaries. [More...]

Expanding Medicaid can be life-changing for older Oklahomans

While many think Medicaid expansion will mainly benefit younger Oklahomans, like new parents and others just starting their careers, it’s important to remember that older Oklahomans between the ages of 45 and 65 stand to benefit as well. Because rural areas have a disproportionately higher population of residents over age 45, Medicaid expansion will make more health care dollars available in rural communities where they are in urgent need. [More...]

Tennessee waltzes down the wrong path with Medicaid block grant proposal

Rather than tilting at windmills with a legally questionable approach that poses serious threats for the state’s Medicaid population, our state should focus on tried and tested ways of improving access to care and health outcomes for Oklahomans. [More...]