Advocates say outside of improving education, expanding Medicaid is the number one thing Oklahoma can do to help children.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman said benefits from increasing health care access for poor families range from kids being able to visit the doctor regularly to healthier parents who are better able to care for their kids.
"When you can get $9 back for every $1 you spend, only a fool wouldn’t do that. And, unfortunately, I’m tired of our state being in that 'fool' category," Dorman said.
Oklahoma City School Board Vice Chair Gloria Torres said many families don’t qualify for SoonerCare but still can’t afford insurance, which strains schools and hurts kids’ education.
"For many of our children, that school nurse is the only medical attention or the first medical attention that they will receive. Parents will send them to school even when they’re sick — 'Go see the nurse as soon as you get there,'" Torres said.
Doctor Scott Melson with Let’s Fix This said expanding Medicaid would preserve and possibly increase health care access in rural areas, where up to 90 percent of people are on SoonerCare.
Melson said expansion is not the only thing that needs to happen, though.
"We need to reform payment rates, not just to doctors and hospitals, but also to everyone who bills SoonerCare services. We need better access to occupational therapists, to physical therapists, speech language pathologists and absolutely to mental health services," Melson said.
Oklahoma Democrats are pushing for Medicaid expansion. Republicans, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, have shown interest but are apprehensive about federal funding continuing at 90 percent.
"Medicaid is the fastest growing expense in our state budget, and before we commit our state to accepting even more Medicaid dollars, Oklahomans deserve accountability and transparency with our state’s management of the Healthcare Authority," Stitt said in his State of the State address on Monday.
