Healthcare

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1934: Motor vehicles; creating the Jamie Lea Pearl Act; requiring medical needs motor carriers to have certain tax exempt status; effective date.

HB 1934, the "Jamie Lea Pearl Act," establishes rules for small medical transportation providers in Oklahoma. It requires these "medical needs motor carriers" to be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, operate vehicles with a maximum weight of 5,000 pounds and capacity for five passengers (including the driver), and provide non-emergency medical transport (like dialysis or cancer treatment) at little or no cost. Key provisions include mandating $100,000 insurance per person for bodily injury, quarterly vehicle safety inspections, a 10-hour daily driving limit for drivers, and retention of background checks and drug test records for two years. The law directly affects small companies transporting patients for non-emergency medical needs, excluding regular taxis, school buses, or commercial carriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates low-cost non-emergency medical transport (e.g., dialysis) with nonprofit requirements and insurance, improving patient access to healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 2899: Professions and occupations; dental practice; teledentistry requirements; Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Act; legislative findings; allowances; requirements; exemption; effective date.

This bill updates Oklahoma's teledentistry rules, requiring dentists to hold an Oklahoma license when diagnosing or treating patients remotely within the state and mandating that all teledentistry records be maintained in Oklahoma or within 50 miles of its border. It also expands the Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Program, offering up to $60,000 annually for five years to dentists who agree to provide care to Medicaid patients (at least 30% of their practice) and serve in designated underserved areas (with exemptions for specialists and FQHC providers). The program prioritizes new dental graduates, particularly from the University of Oklahoma, and requires participants to teach at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry if selected as faculty. The law aims to increase dental access in rural and underserved communities while ensuring Medicaid-dependent patients receive care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dental loan repayment program to incentivize Medicaid care in underserved areas, improving access for low-income patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Oklahoma · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 2033: Public health and safety; creating the Community Health Center Access to Care Revolving Rund; State Department of Health; appropriated funds; limits; effective date; emergency.

HB 2033 creates a revolving fund called the "Community Health Center Access to Care Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Department of Health. The fund, not limited by fiscal years, will use appropriated monies to increase access to care at federally authorized community health centers (as defined under 42 U.S.C. §330). The Department of Health can spend these funds to support such centers, with expenditures requiring State Treasurer warrants based on approved claims. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was declared an emergency to allow immediate implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds via revolving fund to expand community health center access, increasing public service funding without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates revolving fund to increase access to community health centers, directly advancing healthcare access and funding public health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Oklahoma · House Mar 5, 2025

HCR 1004: Concurrent resolution; consent decree; Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Forensic Center, and the putative class; approval.

HCR 1004 is a procedural resolution approving a consent decree resolving a class-action lawsuit against Oklahoma's mental health system. It formally authorizes the Oklahoma Legislature to adopt the court-approved settlement between the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Forensic Center, and a group of individuals alleging inadequate competency restoration treatment for people found incompetent to stand trial. The decree resolves claims about delays in providing required treatment to ensure court competency, avoiding further litigation costs. This resolution does not create new policy but legally ratifies an existing court agreement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeApproves consent decree resolving inadequate competency restoration treatment delays in criminal justice system, advancing mental health care for defendants95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApproves consent decree resolving mental health treatment delays, mandating improved competency restoration services for vulnerable patients per court settlement.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 1169: Abortion-inducing drugs; repealer; emergency.

HB 1169 repeals multiple Oklahoma statutes (63 O.S. 2021 Sections 1-729a through 1-757.16) that previously regulated abortion-inducing drugs. The bill directly affects existing state law by removing these specific provisions without creating new restrictions or requirements. Key mechanisms include the formal repeal of all listed sections, which covered various aspects of abortion drug regulations. This is a procedural bill with no new policy changes, simply eliminating the repealed statutes from the Oklahoma Statutes. The "emergency" declaration in Section 2 allows immediate implementation upon approval but does not alter the bill's substantive effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals abortion drug regulations, removing restrictions on access to healthcare services related to reproductive care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 26, 2025

HB 1577: State Medicaid program; medically necessary; donor human milk-derived products; reimbursement; promulgation of rules; policy or procedure; Oklahoma Health Care Authority; federal approval; effective date.

HB 1577 requires Oklahoma Medicaid to cover medically necessary donor human milk-derived products (like donated breast milk) for infants under 12 months in inpatient or outpatient settings. Coverage applies when a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner certifies it is needed due to low birth weight (under 1,500 grams), prematurity (34 weeks or less gestation), or a specific medical condition. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority must establish quality standards for these products, provide separate reimbursement (not bundled with hospital payments), and develop implementing rules while seeking federal approval. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, directly impacting Medicaid-covered infants and healthcare providers in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid coverage for medically necessary donor human milk products, expanding access for infants with low birth weight/prematurity under specific medical conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 26, 2025

HB 1008: Abortion; prohibition of abortion; definitions; prescribing standard based upon preservation of the life of a pregnant woman; emergency.

HB 1008 prohibits most abortions in Oklahoma except when necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman facing a medical emergency involving physical disorder, illness, or injury directly related to pregnancy. It defines "medical emergency" as conditions where abortion is required to save the woman's life, and imposes penalties of up to $100,000 or 10 years in prison for violations. The bill explicitly states it does not criminalize women for pregnancy outcomes and preserves access to contraceptives when used before pregnancy detection. The law takes immediate effect as an emergency measure upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes most abortions with penalties (up to $100k/10 years), expanding criminalization in healthcare access, opposing criminal justice reform trends.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access except in life-threatening emergencies, limiting a key healthcare service and patient access to reproductive care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

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