Oklahoma’s costly lack of foresight in not funding mental health care (Guest post: Tiara Blue)

Tiara Blue is an instructor at Murray State College in Tishomingo and a contributing writer for NonDoc. Foresight. I underlined this word twice in my notes for the late Professor J. Rufus Fears’ “Ancient Rome” course. I was just a… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s plan to extend health coverage: What we know

It’s now been nearly four years since the U.S. Supreme Court made it optional for states to extend coverage to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act. Oklahoma has been among the dwindling number of states refusing to act, leaving… Read more [More...]

Statement: Plan to accept federal funds for health care can be key piece to prevent budget disaster

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement in response to news that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority has developed plans to accept federal funds for expanding health coverage: It is great news for Oklahoma that state officials have come up… Read more [More...]

The Legislature is sending mixed signals on mental health and incarceration

The connection between mental health and Oklahoma’s sky-high incarceration rate isn’t lost on Oklahoma lawmakers. As Sen. A.J. Griffin recently said, “We spend less money on mental health services, and we have a very high frequency of mental health patients… Read more [More...]

A few of the Oklahomans who the Legislature is trying to kick off SoonerCare (Neglected Oklahoma)

Camille Landry is a writer, activist, and social justice advocate who lives in Oklahoma City.  This post is part of our “Neglected Oklahoma” series, which tells the stories of Oklahomans in situations where the basic necessities of life are hard… Read more [More...]

More holes in the safety net: Oklahoma ends Uncompensated Care Fund

To cope with mid-year budget cuts, the state Department of Health announced that it had eliminated the Uncompensated Care Fund, which covered some of the health care costs for low-income, uninsured Oklahomans at the state’s federally-qualified community health centers... Read more [More...]

Health Department cuts mean increased disease and risk of death (Capitol Updates)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s Proposed Medicaid Cut Won’t Pass Federal Muster (Guest Post: Jesse Cross-Call)

Jesse Cross-Call is a Policy Analyst in the Health Policy division of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. This post previously appeared on the Center’s Off the Charts blog. Oklahoma’s Senate is considering legislation, which its House passed last… Read more [More...]

Sayre, OK loses its hospital (Neglected Oklahoma)

Camille Landry is a writer, activist, and social justice advocate who lives in Oklahoma City.  This post is part of our “Neglected Oklahoma” series, which tells the stories of Oklahomans in situations where the basic necessities of life are hard… Read more [More...]

Success story: Oklahoma significantly improves uninsured rate for Hispanic children

Amanda Rightler is a senior at the University of Tulsa studying chemistry and economics. In addition to interning at OK Policy, she participates in undergraduate chemistry research and enjoys volunteering in the community.  Recent data gives encouraging news on health… Read more [More...]