Health Care

Kim McGuire had already spent nearly two weeks at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City when a hospital case manager delivered the news: her insurance would not cover a transfer to a rehabilitation facility.

Oklahoma Republican lawmakers are dead-set on reversing a 2020 vote to enshrine Medicaid expansion in the state's constitution. Their two-prong effort to remove the language and shrink Soonercare in the state came as a surprise to the Democratic minority.

If approved, the measures could remove Medicaid expansion from the state constitution or allow the Legislature to not fully cover its costs if federal support changes.

Nearly 2,000 Oklahomans die from stroke-related complications annually. That burden is felt more in rural communities, where access to specialized care is limited.

The report was prepared by economist Dr. Russell Evans for Care Providers Oklahoma, which represents a portion of the state's nearly 300 nursing homes.

The policy seeks to help detect symptoms early and connect patients to care before their mental health condition worsens and treatment becomes more costly.

Oklahoma lawmakers advanced a bill that would create an income tax deduction for members of this community-based option to cover medical expenses.

Consumers are now navigating the consequences of this expiration with limited choices.

The agency provided updates on its plans during a webinar Thursday.

This followed concerns from Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board members related to the order's legality and impact on providers.