Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2788: Statewide Recovery Fund; transfers of funds; effective date; emergency.

HB 2788 transfers specific funds back into Oklahoma's Statewide Recovery Fund from several existing programs. It moves $1.56 million from domestic violence services, $162,668 from food assistance programs, $1.49 million from health workforce initiatives, $2.16 million from rural healthcare, $5 million from medical facilities, $20.5 million from mental health hospital construction, and $3.3 million from water resources projects. All transfers align with recommendations from the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was enacted without the governor's signature on May 29, 2025.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds healthcare programs by transferring $1.49M from health workforce and $2.16M from rural healthcare to recovery fund.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1140: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; requiring portions of certain appropriated funds be used for certain purposes; authorizing request for early transfers of certain funds for specific purpose. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1140 allocates $100,000 from unspent state general revenue funds to Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for purposes already required by law. The bill directs the department to use these funds for its existing duties, without creating new programs or services. It includes an emergency provision allowing immediate implementation upon enactment, bypassing the usual waiting period. The bill became law on May 29, 2025, without the governor's signature. This is a procedural funding measure, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $100,000 from unspent funds to mental health/substance abuse services for existing duties, directly funding healthcare services as defined.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · House May 19, 2025

HB 2052: Health insurance; exemption of certain domestic health maintenance organizations from certain provisions of the Health Maintenance Organizations Act; effective date.

HB 2052 exempts certain domestic health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that exclusively contract with Oklahoma's Medicaid program (via the Oklahoma Health Care Authority) from most state health insurance regulations. These HMOs, which serve only Medicaid recipients and no other patients, are no longer subject to specific provisions of the Health Maintenance Organizations Act, including requirements about benefit coverage and certain administrative rules. The exemption applies solely to services provided to Medicaid recipients under Oklahoma Statutes Title 56, Section 4002.2. The law became effective November 1, 2025, after passing without the Governor's signature.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExempts Medicaid-only HMOs from benefit coverage requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for services to vulnerable patients.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 927: State Medicaid program; modifying appointment procedures for the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. Effective date.

SB 927 amends Oklahoma's Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board procedures by prohibiting the pharmaceutical industry representative from voting on drug-related matters. It updates the appointment process to stagger initial terms for one physician, one pharmacist, and the lay representative to ensure board continuity. The bill affects the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the board members, with changes taking effect November 1, 2025. The board's composition (10 members: 4 physicians, 4 pharmacists, 1 lay representative, 1 pharmaceutical industry rep) and appointment lists remain unchanged.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits pharmaceutical industry representatives from voting on drug matters to prevent conflicts of interest, strengthening Medicaid program integrity and review processes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 95: Workers' compensation; amending definitions. Effective date.

SB 95 updates key definitions in Oklahoma's workers' compensation law to clarify eligibility and claims processing. It directly affects injured workers (claimants), employers, insurance carriers, and medical providers by defining terms like "case manager" (requiring specific nursing licenses or certifications) and "carrier" (explicitly including self-insured employers). The bill also clarifies what constitutes a "compensable injury," excluding age-related conditions like arthritis and adding drug testing rules for claims involving intoxication. These changes aim to standardize claims administration and reduce disputes over coverage. The bill became effective after the governor signed it on May 6, 2025.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExcludes age-related conditions (e.g., arthritis) from compensable injuries, restricting healthcare coverage under workers' compensation for specific medical conditions.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExcludes age-related conditions (e.g., arthritis) from compensable injuries, restricting worker benefits under workers' comp.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 2012: Public health and safety; harm-reduction services; deleting sunset date; effective date.

HB 2012 removes the July 1, 2026, expiration date for Oklahoma's harm-reduction services program, making it permanent. It authorizes government agencies, religious institutions, nonprofits, for-profit companies, and tribal governments to provide services including needle distribution, HIV/hepatitis testing, referrals for addiction treatment, and safe needle disposal. Providers must register with the State Department of Health and report quarterly on services delivered, such as the number of people served, needles distributed, and test results. This bill directly affects people who use injection drugs by expanding access to health services aimed at reducing disease transmission and overdose risks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill permanently authorizes harm-reduction services including addiction treatment referrals, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism through rehabilitation rather than punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill makes harm-reduction services permanent, authorizing needle distribution, HIV/hepatitis testing, and addiction referrals - directly advancing public health access and prevention services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1111: Poor persons; Department of Human Services; requirements; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits; increase; deduction; eligibility; households; amounts; term; restriction; codification; effective date.

HB 1111 simplifies SNAP eligibility for Oklahomans aged 60+ or with disabilities who have no earned income and live in qualifying households. It allows these individuals to skip annual recertification, use a shortened application form, and remain eligible for benefits for 36 months after approval. The bill also establishes a minimum $100 standard medical deduction for households with elderly or disabled members, covering verified expenses like prescriptions and doctor visits, pending a USDA waiver. These changes take effect November 1, 2025, for all new applications and recertifications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes $100 medical deduction for prescriptions/doctor visits, reducing out-of-pocket costs for elderly/disabled SNAP households.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 2233: Professions and occupations; Massage Therapy Act; Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision; effective date.

HB 2233 updates Oklahoma's Massage Therapy Practice Act by clarifying licensing rules and scope of practice for massage therapists. It directly affects licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, and other health professionals who may provide massage services. Key changes include renaming the regulating board to the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, explicitly allowing "direct access" (public can seek massage without medical referral), and defining massage therapy as soft tissue techniques (e.g., touch, pressure, heat) while prohibiting diagnosis, prescribing, or medical techniques like ultrasound. The bill also clarifies exemptions for physicians, students, and specific practices like the Feldenkrais Method when performed within their established professional scope.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows direct access to massage therapy without medical referral, improving patient access to health services per bill's scope of practice update.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1831: Community health workers; creating the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act; definitions; establishment of certificate; voluntary certification; powers; rules; fees; effective date.

HB 1831 creates Oklahoma's first formal certification system for community health workers, establishing voluntary certification through the State Department of Health. It defines key terms, sets eligibility (Oklahoma residency, 18+ years old, U.S. residency, and 1,000 hours work experience option), and requires the Department to set standards, exams, and fees. The law specifically enables certified workers to serve as health liaisons, identify service gaps, and build community health capacity - while also authorizing partnerships with faith-based organizations for outreach. The certification becomes effective November 1, 2025, and does not require mandatory certification for workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates certification system for community health workers to improve access, identify service gaps, and build community health capacity - advancing healthcare access and workforce support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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