HHS secretary visits Oklahoma to celebrate first day of Medicaid expansion coverage
Posted on: 7/2/21
Yesterday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, along with CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, visited Oklahoma for a series of events celebrating the Medicaid expansion coverage now in effect here.
In the morning, Brooks-LaSure led a Medicaid Roundtable at Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center in Tahlequah. Patti Davis, OHA president, participated in the discussion along with tribal and hospital representatives.
At a Tulsa press conference later, Becerra congratulated those who had worked for more than a decade on bringing Medicaid expansion to Oklahoma.
“Today is a victory for the nearly 200,000 Oklahomans who have been waiting for health care,” said Becerra. “I want to congratulate Oklahoma on joining the ranks of states that are bringing quality health care coverage to our neighbors and families.”
“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of people in this country and a step in the long road to achieving health equity by providing access to essential health care,” said Brooks-LaSure. “Oklahoma is now a model for other states looking to expand health coverage to those who need it most.”
Later in the day, Davis attended a small roundtable in Tulsa with both Becerra and Brooks-LaSure and other stakeholders. The focus of the roundtable was how the health disparities and mental health of Oklahomans will be served with Medicaid expansion.
Other topics discussed included Medicaid expansion, Medicaid managed care and 340B reimbursement. Davis mentioned that the administration will be getting a letter signed by herself and the 24 Oklahoma 340B hospitals asking for CMS protection on the 340B program. Beccera and Brooks-LaSure indicated receptivity to the discussion on 340B.