A patient's eye-opening perspective on Oklahoma's mental health system

Any Oklahoman with an interest in mental health issues would do well to read the article titled “Asylum” that appeared in the December issue of This Land, a new Tulsa-based monthly magazine. The article is a vivid first-hand account by… Read more [More...]

Guest Blog (Donna Rhodes): Long Term Care – The sleeping giant is stirring

Donna Rhodes is the CEO of the Long Term Care Authority, a public trust authority of the city and county of Tulsa leading the Tulsa community and the state in addressing long term care reform. While the voice of long… Read more [More...]

New Medicaid online enrollment puts Oklahoma out in front

“Is there anyone here from Oklahoma?” I was at a national conference of health care policy experts and advocates last month when the morning’s plenary speaker, Cindy Mann, Medicaid Director for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, posed that… Read more [More...]

Guest Blog (Tricia Brooks): CMS proposes a Medicaid rule you (and states) may like

This blog was authored by Tricia Brooks, a Senior Fellow at the  Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University. It originally appeared on November 4th on Say Ahhh! A Children’s Health Policy Blog and is cross-posted here with permission.… Read more [More...]

Health Care Reform (5): Shifting more long-term care away from institutions

This is the fifth in an ongoing series of posts examining the new federal health care reform law. Our previous posts have explored the “cliff effect”; the  impact on state budgets; the Temporary High Risk Pool; and tax credits for… Read more [More...]

New data on poverty and uninsured show recession's continued effects

The U.S. Census Bureau today released its annual report on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage for 2009 based on its March Current Population Survey.  The data reflected the severity of the recession throughout 2009: the national poverty rate rose… Read more [More...]

Guest blog (Ryan Kiesel): SQ 756 – Voters to decide fate of health care reform. But not really

Ryan Kiesel, the author of this guest blog, has served as State Representative from District 28 since 2004 and is not seeking reelection.  Ryan is the leader of the Oklahoma Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society. This November, Oklahoma… Read more [More...]

Health care reform (4): Tax credits for small business

This is the fourth in an ongoing series of posts looking at the impact of the new federal health care reform law on Oklahoma and Oklahomans. Our previous posts have explored the “cliff effect” , the  impact on state budgets… Read more [More...]

New program for uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions now accepting applications

A key provision of the health care reform law passed in March creates new insurance options for individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The new program, known as the Oklahoma Temporary High Risk Pool, began accepting applications this week. Click here… Read more [More...]

On the Rohde again: Nick's family bids Oklahoma farewell

This week, Wayne Rohde sent out an e-mail informing his friends and networks of his family’s decision to leave Oklahoma. For the last several years, Wayne and his wife Robyne have been tireless and fierce advocates for Nick’s Law, legislation… Read more [More...]