Name: Legislators must protect Oklahomans’ health care - Oklahoma Policy Institute
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Legislators must protect Oklahomans’ health care  - Oklahoma Policy Institute

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As the Governor and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) quickly attempt to privatize part of the state’s Medicaid program, also known as SoonerCare, , , and have raised concerns about negative impacts on , and . Privatizing Medicaid isn’t supported by any . In fact, it could potentially cost the state up to an additional per year.&nbsp; It will also likely hamper access to care for many Oklahomans. From rural residents to those with mental health needs, privatized managed care will have for some Oklahomans.&nbsp;The Oklahoma Legislature is now the only entity that can protect the management of Oklahoma’s SoonerCare program from being hastily outsourced to private companies. The proposed managed care plan will award in management contracts to these private companies, which can collect up to 15 percent in profits and administration fees — three times higher than the amount OHCA currently uses for administrative management. As stewards of the state budget, lawmakers must protect the health care of hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans and stop this irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars.&nbsp;Hasty implementation of privatized managed care could have on people insured by Medicaid. In its own move to managed care, , but was ultimately required to delay its start time by several months because of concerns about inadequate provider networks. Similarly, the OHCA hopes to fully implement privatized managed care on October 1, 2021, allowing only one year for this substantial change. As a result, it has rushed through the planning before legislators or much of the public could weigh in. This timeline, outlined below, places the health of Oklahomans at risk.&nbsp;Additionally, through the (CMS). Privatizing the Medicaid program is contingent on this federal approval, and advocates will have an opportunity to weigh in through federal comments in advance of CMS’ decision.&nbsp;No matter if or how the state moves forward with privatized managed care, Medicaid expansion will go into effect on July 1, 2021, ensuring that 200,000 Oklahomans will become newly able to see a doctor and fill a prescription without jeopardizing their financial well-being. Expansion is also expected to bring into the state’s economy. To ensure these gains are fully realized, Oklahoma legislators should ensure that Oklahoma’s Medicaid expansion is robust and accessible, not hamstrung by private insurance agencies that are incentivized to limit care in search of profit.&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite some claims that privatization is a done deal, the Legislature retains the authority to reverse this decision, either by barring privatization through state statute or by stipulating that OHCA appropriations not be used to fund commercial managed care. By taking action this session, legislators can more prudently manage taxpayer dollars that would be wasted with third-party management, ensure the fiscal health of the state’s medical providers especially in rural communities, and safeguard the health of all Oklahomans insured by Medicaid.&nbsp;&nbsp;—Actions for AdvocatesThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. .

As the Governor and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) quickly attempt to privatize part of the state’s Medicaid program, also known as SoonerCare, , , and have raised concerns about negative impacts on , and . Privatizing Medicaid isn’t supported by any . In fact, it could potentially cost the state up to an additional per year.&nbsp; It will also likely hamper access to care for many Oklahomans. From rural residents to those with mental health needs, privatized managed care will have for some Oklahomans.&nbsp;The Oklahoma Legislature is now the only entity that can protect the...

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Emma Morris

okpolicy.org

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Legislators must protect Oklahomans’ health care - Oklahoma Policy Institute

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