Legislative update: Ensuring Access to Medicaid Act to be heard Monday

Posted on: 3/5/21

HB 1091 by Rep. Carol Bush needs your attention this weekend. The bill is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on Monday, March 8. HB 1091 is an anti-MCO bill that protects patients and providers from managed care organizations. More importantly, it removes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s ability to unilaterally implement managed care. Call your Oklahoma House of Representatives member today and tell them to vote yes on HB 1091. To get contact information for your representative, click here. Read below for an update on other legislative activities this week.

Two bills did not move forward this week in the Senate appropriations committee. SB 932 would have repealed the income tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals, while SB 930 would have repealed the property tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals. Both bills were authored by Floor Leader Kim David. SB 932 was never heard in committee, but SB 930 was heard on Wednesday. Due to our robust lobbying efforts, the bill was laid over in committee, never receiving a vote. This was a team effort with OHA working collaboratively with our fellow system lobbyists and hospital CEOs. Sen. David does plan on holding an interim study this summer to study the matter further. 

Another bill we need to bring to your attention is HB 2504 by Rep. Chris Kannady. This bill makes significant changes to the relationship between the city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, giving the state commissioner of health unprecedented influence over their respective boards. OHA participated in a call this week with fellow advocates opposed to the bill. HB 2504 is eligible to be heard on the House floor and we will monitor it closely going forward. 

Thank you to everyone for your efforts this week. Our biggest fights are on the horizon with the next legislative deadline fast approaching on March 11. This is when bills must be heard in their chamber of origin to advance in the process.

Please make sure you’re registered for VoterVoice as our engagement with you will almost certainly increase over the coming weeks. (Scott Tohlen)