Oklahoma protections for abused children still a long way from the pinnacle

In October, findings were submitted by the outside experts monitoring the Pinnacle Plan, Oklahoma’s court-mandated effort to fix its child welfare system. Their report raises serious concerns about the plan’s implementation in its first year.  In particular, the report makes… Read more [More...]

Medicaid proves its worth in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Senate will hold an interim study meeting this afternoon to consider possible changes to the Medicaid program.  In March, OK Policy released an issue brief titled “Medicaid Proves Its Worth in Oklahoma” that made the case for how… Read more [More...]

Health Insurance Marketplace and the Affordable Care Act: Resources and Information

Major provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will begin January 1, 2014. One of the most important provisions is the creation of the new Health Insurance Marketplaces (also known as Exchanges) that will allow uninsured Americans… Read more [More...]

Growing the supply of primary care providers

With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) many uninsured Oklahomans will have access to health insurance coverage starting in 2014. The influx of newly insured Oklahomans will create a greater demand for health care services.… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s improbable victory over big tobacco (Guest Post: Michael Givel and Andrew L. Spivak)

Michael Givel is Professor of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma. Andrew L. Spivak is Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. This is an edited and abridged version of a brief… Read more [More...]

New Census data shows continued drop in uninsured Oklahoma kids

Fifteen years after Oklahoma expanded Medicaid eligibility for children, the number of uninsured children in the state continues to fall.  The child uninsured rate in Oklahoma reached an historic low of 8 percent in 2011-2012, which is half the rate… Read more [More...]

What you need to know about Oklahoma’s new Health Insurance Marketplace

Beginning October 1 and lasting until March 31, 2014, Oklahomans without access to affordable health insurance through their employer or a government sponsored plan will be able to purchase a plan through the new Health Insurance Marketplace. Read more... [More...]

Insure Oklahoma extension paves way for longer-term solution

Last Friday, Oklahoma received formal word that the federal government has agreed to extend Insure Oklahoma, the state’s publicly-funded premium assistance health insurance program, until the end of 2014, subject to certain program changes.  This one-year extension means that individuals… Read more [More...]

Reforming the child welfare system: A progress report

One year after Oklahoma finalized an historic plan to transform its child welfare system, significant changes have been put in place. However, major obstacles remain and the ultimate success of the Pinnacle Plan will depend on many more years of… Read more [More...]

Action Items for Oklahoma: Health Care – Improve Health Outcomes through Smart Policy Reforms

A new issue brief provides policy reforms to improve health outcomes in Oklahoma. These reforms include increasing primary care providers, investing in the prevention of public health epidemics, and expanding access to affordable health insurance. [More...]