OPINION/COLUMN
There are a lot of healthcare changes in store for our state! The first is that Oklahoma secured $223,476,948.62 through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The second is that changes are coming to the SoonerCare/Medicaid program.
Both of these changes were a part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was approved at the federal level last year.
The nearly $224 million federal investment is aimed at improving how healthcare is delivered in our rural communities.
The program can go about this in several ways, such as providing more mobile clinics, virtual appointments and transportation assistance in communities where those services are currently limited. According to the Oklahoma State Health Department, the program also strives to: help emergency patients receive treatment sooner; expand care for mothers and babies during and after pregnancy; make behavioral health services easier to access; and allow rural hospitals and clinics to invest in new technology.
This investment is coming at the right time for our state. A recent July report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform found that 45 rural hospitals in Oklahoma are at risk for closing and 18 of those are at risk for immediate closure.
These resources should help rural health care facilities remain open and equipped to serve Oklahomans for years to come.
Also, you may have heard that there will be some federal changes to the Medicaid program. Well, those changes are quickly approaching.
If you are currently enrolled in SoonerCare or Medicaid, you might have received a letter from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority about the new work requirements to stay eligible.
Starting Jan. 1, enrolled program members ages 19 to 64 will have to complete 80 hours of work a month or show they make a minimum monthly income of $580. These hours can come from employment, community service, work programs or educational programs.
After Jan. 1, members will have 30 days to comply with the new rules. There is a long list of people who are exempt from the new requirements. Those exemptions can be found on the Health Care Authority’s website.
I encourage those who are Medicaid and SoonerCare members to stay diligent about keeping your information updated with the Health Care Authority and to pay attention to your mail and email for more information from the state agency.
I hope you all have had a great start to September! I am looking forward to family time, fall festivities and treats. I pray for our district daily, and I am here if you have any questions or concerns.
You can email me at cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7365.
Thank you for letting me be your voice 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.
