Oklahoma state insurance expansion sought
Legislative task force makes suggestions to improve health care access

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT Comments 0
Published: November 14, 2008

Expanding a state program that helps small businesses provide health care coverage to their low- and middle-income employees and encouraging Oklahomans to take more responsibility for their health were among suggestions made Thursday that may be developed into legislation next year.

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AT A GLANCE

What else was advised?

Suggestions made to reduce the number of uninsured Oklahomans and improve access to health care:

→Most task force members suggested expanding the Insure Oklahoma program and finding another dedicated funding source as the program grows.

→Rep. Ben Sherrer, D-Choteau, said he likes the idea of a proposed hospital provider fee, which could be used to bring in more federal money to the state. Sherrer said financial incentives could be given to those who take personal responsibility for their health, such as quitting smoking, eating better or exercising.

→Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, said health plans need to move with employees, noting that four out of 10 workers change jobs every year. She also said legislators should look at lawsuit reform, also called tort reform.

→Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, a co-chairman of the task force, said insurance companies should offer a "bare-bones” accident health policy for young adults who cannot afford a full-benefits plan. Cox, the only physician in the Legislature, urged increased price transparency of the cost of procedures and prescription drugs. He cautioned against legislating too many regulations.

The state House Health Care Reform Task Force spent five months developing ways to reduce the number of uninsured Oklahomans and improve access to health care.

Members were told at several task force meetings that the Insure Oklahoma program has served as a model to other states.

Rep. Kris Steele, co-chairman of the task force, said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, has "made it very clear” that health care is going to be a top priority.

Steele, R-Shawnee, said the Insure Oklahoma program, approved in 2004, is intended to reduce the number of uninsured residents in the state, which the Oklahoma Health Care Authority announced Thursday is about 580,000.

Under the program, the state pays 60 percent of insurance costs, the employer pays 25 percent and the employee pays the remaining 15 percent. The state’s portion of the cost is funded by tobacco tax revenue and federal Medicaid matching dollars.

Legislators last year voted to expand the program, but the changes are awaiting federal approval.

About 15,000 people are enrolled in the program, Steele said. The program is enrolling about 1,000 people a month and is expected to reach its maximum enrollment of 40,000 people in about two years.