We are now in Week 11 of the Second Session of the 60th Legislature, and the work at the Capitol continues at a steady pace. So far this session, the House has passed 211 measures out of policy committees, along with 44 Senate bills and joint resolutions off the House floor. The Governor has also signed the budget, so we are full steam ahead.
One of the most important wins this week was the passage of Senate Bill 1145, which now heads to the governor’s desk. This is a major step forward for many of our retired public employees who have dedicated years of service to our state.
SB1145 authorizes a costof- living adjustment for members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System who have been retired for at least 10 years as of June 30, 2026. Those who have been retired between 10 and 20 years will receive a 3% increase, while those retired for more than 20 years will receive a 6% increase. This adjustment is targeted to those who have been retired the longest and have felt the effects of rising costs the most. It is a thoughtful way to support the people who spent their careers serving Oklahoma.
I also want to address Senate Bill 1942, as there has been a great deal of misinformation circulating about this measure. After taking a closer look at the issue, it is clear that reform is needed.
Dental insurance is big business, generating billions in revenue. Meanwhile, many of our local dentists are small business owners who are being squeezed by practices from these insurance companies that simply do not make sense. In some cases, executives at large insurance companies are earning millions upon millions of dollars in compensation, while the providers delivering care are asked to absorb increasing financial pressure.
Right now, insurance companies can dictate what a dentist may charge for services that they do not cover. Please understand me when I say that is not standard practice in any other industry. This had a trickle-down effect, which then creates an imbalance that interferes with the doctor-patient relationship.
Dentists already accept significant discounts, often around 55% off their standard fees, just to participate in insurance networks.
Requiring them to take additional losses on services that are not even covered is not sustainable.
SB1942 makes straightforward but important changes. It clarifies that a service is only considered covered if it is actually reimbursed. It also prevents dental insurers from setting prices on services they do not pay for.
This bill restores a measure of fairness and prevents further costs from being passed down to you, the customer. The bottom line is this… if an insurance company is not paying for a service, it should not have the authority to control the price of that service.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the highlights of the week. It was Oklahoma State University Day at the Capitol, which is always one of my favorite days of session. It is a chance to celebrate a great institution, connect with students and alumni, and recognize the impact OSU continues to have across our state.
It is a true honor to serve you! You remain in my thoughts and prayers each day. I value hearing from you directly. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
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.
