Oklahoma Academy Group Urges State To Accept Medicaid Dollars
Fallin resists push for Medicaid expansion
By: Sarah Terry-Cobo The Journal Record
OKLAHOMA CITY – A nonpartisan think tank’s top priority for improving Oklahomans’ health is likely not a political reality. On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Academy recommended that the governor and Legislature accept federal money to expand Medicaid or Insure Oklahoma. However, other goals for mental health and substance abuse might gain traction.
On Tuesday, the organization released its top priorities for improving health outcomes for Oklahoma residents. The recommendations stem from the Oklahoma Academy’s annual Town Hall forum in October in which 125 people spent three days developing consensus suggestions for legislators and community groups.
State Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, participated in the October 2014 forum. There are other ways to improve state residents’ health outcomes, she said. Expanding Medicaid or Insure Oklahoma aren’t very likely in this legislative session, she said.
“I don’t see that happening, especially with the continued budget crunch,” she said. “We’re reticent to do mandates here in Oklahoma. It’s that pioneering spirit; we don’t like to be told what to do.”
Gov. Mary Fallin respectfully but strongly disagreed with expanding Medicaid, spokesman Alex Weintz said in an email to The Journal Record. Accepting federal money to expand that program requires the state to spend billions, which isn’t fiscally responsible, he said.