OK House Report from Rep. Cynthia Roe
This week at the Capitol, the House and Senate have been hearing budget requests from state agencies, boards and commissions. These meetings may not grab headlines, but they are some of the most important work we do as legislators.
These hearings give lawmakers the opportunity to review how taxpayer dollars were spent last year and to hear requests for fiscal year 2027. It is our responsibility to ask questions, look closely at the numbers and make sure agencies are being good stewards of public funds.
Next week, we will hear from the largest state agencies, often referred to as the Big Six. Those include the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
These agencies represent a large share of the state budget, and their presentations help lawmakers understand where dollars are being spent and where needs exist. These are requests, and the Legislature will make the final decisions and pass a balanced budget before session ends.
While budget work is underway, I also filed legislation focused on protecting families and supporting mothers and children.
House Bill 3287 would require hospitals and health care facilities to post clear signage for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. The goal is simple but powerful. When someone enters a medical facility, they should have a discreet way to ask for help if they are being abused or exploited. The bill also directs facilities to establish protocols to ensure victims can be safely connected with law enforcement and support services without alerting an alleged perpetrator. For many victims, a hospital visit may be the only safe moment to speak up. If someone finds the courage to speak up about what they are experiencing, we should do everything we can to make it easy for them to be heard and to get the help they need.
I have also filed House Bill 3286, which focuses on improving insurance coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care. This legislation would require health insurance plans to cover breastfeeding supplies, breast pumps, lactation consultant services and postpartum care for at least one year after birth. It also ensures coverage for services provided by certified nurse-midwives, licensed midwives and doulas, including home births and home visits. Supporting mothers in the critical months after childbirth helps families get off to a strong start and can reduce more costly complications down the road.
Both of these bills are about protecting life and strengthening families. It is our responsibility to ensure Oklahoma’s health care system serves the people it is meant to serve.
I hope you all are having a great January. Before you know it, the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature will begin, and we will be off to the races for another whirlwind session to create meaningful change.
As winter weather approaches, please stay safe and take care. I continue to keep our district in my prayers each day.
Please remember that I work for you, and I love to hear from you.
Feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns. My email address is cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at 405-557-7365. Thank you for letting me represent you at the Capitol!
Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican, represents House District 42 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties.
