Oklahoma House approves re-balancing budget and GME funding

Posted on: 2/21/18

On Monday, the House approved bills re-balancing the fiscal year budget and providing funding for the state’s medical schools during the second special session. HB 1020xx modifies general appropriations for the FY2018 fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. The general appropriations bill reduces FY2018 appropriations by applying a 0.66 percent across-the-board cut to all state agencies. Because of the inability of the Legislature to pass additional revenue, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (Medicaid) only has enough revenue to get through to March. If HB 1020xx is passed by both Houses and signed by the governor, it may avoid provider rate cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year.

The House also passed HB 1022xx, which appropriates $31.8 million from the FY2017 General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to replace federal funds withheld due to the deferred federal financial participation expenditures claimed on the Quarterly Medicaid Statement of Expenditure. It appropriates $110 million from the FY2019 General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to be distributed to Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma for the benefit of the Dean’s Graduate Medical Education Program, in the same ratio as such funds were provided for such purpose by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority in fiscal year 2017.

HB 1021xx, also passing Monday, states it is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Human Services fully fund Advantage Home and Community-based Waiver Program, Money Follows the Person, Homeward Bound Waiver, In-home Supports, Advantage Waiver, Personal Care and state-funded community residential and vocational services and Adult Day Services.

The bills now move to the Senate for its consideration. (Lynne White)