State Legislature floor deadline next week; Ask your lawmaker to vote yes on SB 131

Posted on: 4/16/21

The April 22 floor deadline is fast approaching and several bills OHA is monitoring are still works in progress going into next week.

HB 1633 by Rep. David Hardin and Sen. Michael Bergstrom would pass the burden of paying for county or municipal inmate care for incidences of self-harm from the county/municipality to the inmate. The bill was heard on the Senate floor this week, but was laid over (not voted on) when the bill’s author began receiving questions that indicated the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is opposed to the bill. It’s unclear if Sen. Bergstrom will attempt to take the measure up again next week. 

SB 548 by Sen. Julie Daniels and Rep. Tammy Townley would prohibit the collection of medical debt if a good faith estimate is not provided and agreed to by the consumer prior to care being provided. The bill faces stiff opposition by OHA and others, and we’re working to have the bill not heard on the House floor by the deadline. 

Amendments to SB 674 by Sen. Greg McCortney and Rep. Marcus McEntire on telehealth parity have received support from a medical coalition that includes OHA, Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA), Oklahoma Osteopathic Association (OOA), and BCBS. We expect the bill to be heard on the House floor next week. 

Last, but certainly not least, the Oklahomans Caring for Oklahomans Act is expected to run next week. SB 131 by Sen. Jessica Garvin and Rep. Marcus McEntire will build on the Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s existing primary care case management model to improve health outcomes and control costs. The bill received opposition from the State Chamber this week. Billed as growing government by the State Chamber, they seem to take no issue with the state privatizing the Medicaid system to the tune of $2 billion in year one. Although an OHA action alert was sent on Thursday, please continue to contact your representative and ask him or her to vote yes on SB 131. We need an overwhelming show of support from the House to send a clear message to the Senate that the bill be heard. 

Stay tuned and ready to take action as the fight against commercial managed care continues. (Scott Tohlen)