Lawmakers Ask Governor to Refrain from Managed Health Care Plan
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, and a group of state lawmakers today sent a letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt expressing concern that should he try to attempt to use his position to try and implement a commercial managed health care plan for the state it would prove to be a disaster.
Humphrey said he and a group of 10 legislators as well as 33 health care business owners and CEOs of rural hospitals attended a meeting Nov. 30, at which there was overwhelming consensus that managed health care would be disastrous for Oklahoma. They said they feared the governor may try to direct the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to use surplus funds to implement a managed health care plan and would try to act before the legislative session begins Feb. 1. They urged him to please refrain from such an action.
“When looking at states with the best Medicaid programs – Oklahoma coming in at No. 4 – they have chosen not use the managed care framework,” the lawmakers said. “Furthermore, the states performing the worst all have commercial managed health care programs. Why would we change to a managed care program when ours has been recognized as one of the best in the nation?”
The lawmakers said they hope the governor will reconsider any current plans to implement a managed health care plan in Oklahoma and will instead work cooperatively with the state House of Representatives and the state Senate to ensure Oklahomans receive the health care management program that best meets their needs.
“Through a collaborative effort, together we can develop a plan that is fiscally responsible and reflects sound policy by working through the Legislature and the legislative budgetary process,” they concluded.
The following lawmakers signed the letter:
- State Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita
- State Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant
- State Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton
- State Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell
- State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
- State Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
- State Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City
- State Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow
- State Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow
- State Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton
- State Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
- State Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounts
- State Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula
- State Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
- State Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
- State Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
- State Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
- State Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville
- State Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater
- State Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
- State Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
- State Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener
- State Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole
- State Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City
- State Rep. David Bullard, R-Durant
- State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman
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