The Oklahoma Legislature may again try a backdoor method to expand health coverage to the uninsured and poor in the state. A state house interim committee today heard from the new director of the Health Care Authority. Becky Pasternik-Ikard reviewed a plan from the last session that died.
That plan called for a $1.50 increase in the Oklahoma cigarette tax to help fund the additional people to be covered. Lawmakers rejected the idea, even though it was promoted by Governor Fallin in her State of the State Address.
Oklahoma is among some 20 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.