Capitol Report – State budget agreement reached for FY 2020 

Posted on: 5/17/19


On Wednesday in a joint press release from the governor, Senate and House of Representatives, a budget agreement for FY 2020, which begins July 1, 2020, was announced. “This year’s budget is historic. Holding firm to my commitment of no new taxes, we will put away $200 million more in savings while also increasing the state’s investment in core services by more than five percent,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said.  

Portions of the FY 2020 budget proposal were voted and passed from the House and Senate in the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget on May 16. The General Appropriations bill, HB 2765 (Wallace/Thomson), reflects a state appropriation of $8,132,075,682 and a spending increase of 5.4 percent from the FY 2019 budget. The summary of the budget for health and mental health are listed below. The House of Representatives will take up the FY 2020 Budget on Friday May 17 and Senate will hear the budget on Monday May 20 so that the Legislature may adjourn no later than May 24. Adjournment by May 24 is one week in advance of the Oklahoma constitutional requirement to adjourn by the last Friday in May. OHA will share details of what the amounts listed below mean for provider rates and other hospital services as we know more in the days ahead.

Health Care
  • $62.8 million for Graduate Medical Education programs to support physician training for rural hospitals.
  • $105 million reallocation to increase provider rates for physicians, hospitals and nursing homes.
  • $29 million saved to a new preservation fund to preserve Medicaid provider rates when the federal government’s three-year rolling average results in a rate decline.
  • $10 million to decrease the Developmental Disability Services wait list and increase provider rates.
  • $4.6 million to increase immunizations and staff county health departments throughout the state.
Criminal Justice
  • $20 million to reform the funding of district attorney offices.
  • $10 million for Smart on Crime programs through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
  • $1.5 million for the Women in Recovery diversion program.
  • $1.7 million to address increasing demand for mental health services.
For more information, click here. (Sandra Harrison)

Save the dates for OHA 2022 events

Posted on: 2/18/22


It’s a new year and a new lineup of important events for you and your staff. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to engage in advocacy, education and networking all year long. Mark your calendar now!

OHA Advocacy Day - Tuesday, April 5, Oklahoma History Center. Join us for our annual legislative day. We will begin with a member briefing at 3 p.m., followed by a legislative reception at 5 p.m. Watch for registration materials soon.

OHA-PAC Golf Tournament - Tuesday, June 21, Jimmie Austin Golf Club at OU, Norman. Time and details TBA.

OHA Health Care Leaders Forum - Tuesday, July 19 - Thursday, July 21, Shangri-La Resort, Grand Lake. Watch for registration soon!

OHA Connect 22 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Friday, Nov. 11, Oklahoma City Convention Center and Omni Hotel, downtown Oklahoma City. Plan now to attend OHA’s annual conference and exhibit hall. More details to come.

Details on these events and other upcoming education opportunities will be available on the OHA website.