Health care law committee to begin work

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislative leaders yesterday announced membership and meetings of the Joint Committee on Federal Health Care Law, a special legislative committee that will study how the new federal health care law affects Oklahoma.

Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman and House Speaker Kris Steele ordered the formation of the joint committee this past legislative session to ensure Oklahoma properly addresses the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

At the direction of co-chairmen Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, the Joint Committee on Federal Health Care Law will do its work through a series of public meetings in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The committee’s first meeting will be Sept. 14 in Oklahoma City. The committee is expected to meet at least five times through November.

“Having suitable health care options in Oklahoma is an issue the Legislature takes very seriously and intends to proactively protect and address through this committee,” said Stanislawski, a Certified Financial Planner. “Oklahoma patients, taxpayers, businesses, health practitioners, insurers and others all have wide-ranging questions and concerns about this largely unwanted new federal law. The law will affect all Oklahomans, some in significant ways, so this committee will seek to address all relevant questions and concerns for the benefit of all Oklahomans.”

Among the topics to be studied are the state of health care in Oklahoma, logistics and ramifications of implementing the federal health care law, implementation timelines, responses to the law and the costs local governments and businesses may face as a result of the law.

The committee will also explore the implications Oklahoma’s lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality may have on the law’s implementation here.

“Clearly, most Oklahomans oppose this law. While we have taken steps to guard against harmful portions of the law, we would be remiss if we did not continue reviewing it so we can do our best to protect a choice-based, free-market health care system for Oklahomans,” said Mulready, a 28-year insurance industry veteran. “Simply put, the committee will show Oklahoma what to expect from this law, how we can continue to protect Oklahoma’s interests and how we can make sure we are best prepared as a state.”

The committee will solicit testimony and recommendations from a wide range of public and private sector experts. It is expected to hear from state and federal policymakers, business officials, insurance agents and brokers, legal experts, health care industry officials and more.

“All parties will be at the table working to make sure Oklahomans have health care choices, not mandates,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “This is an opportunity for Oklahoma to assert our state’s rights and I’m confident all stakeholders will rise to the challenge so we can avoid dangerous federal mandates wherever possible.”

Ultimately, the committee will make recommendations on how the state should address components of the federal health care law.

“The committee will explore all possibilities for putting forth Oklahoma solutions that support a free market health care system,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “Not everything is clear about this law, and most of us don’t like it, but what we do know is Oklahoma cannot afford to be caught flat-footed, unprepared and unprotected if it takes effect. As much as anything else, this committee ensures Oklahoma is prepared.”

Committee members are:

Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, co-chair

Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, co-chair

Sen. Cliff Aldridge, R-Oklahoma City

Sen. Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow

Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa

Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore

Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman

Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove

Rep. Randy Grau, R-Edmond

Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City

Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa

Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague

Health care compact heads to Governor Fallin

The Oklahoma state Senate this week (Wednesday, May 11) passed Oklahoma’s health care compact. Oklahoma became the fourth state to pass such a proposal. It authorizes an accord among participating states and, according to a leading national advocate, would allow Oklahoma to create its own health care policies. Supporters contend the compact could trump prior federal law. 


Read full story by Patrick B. McGuigan at www.capitolbeatok.com.

Bill Addressing Accessible Health Care Passes House

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL - House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, Rep. Glen Mulready and Rep. Mark McCullough comment on HB 2130, approved today by the House of Representatives. The measure defines the membership and appointments to the Health Care for the Uninsured Board (HUB) which will oversee the implementation of the health care exchange.

House Speaker Kris Steele:

“Oklahoma ranks fifth highest in the nation in the percentage of citizens without health insurance. We now have the opportunity to construct a system that will provide meaningful access to quality, affordable health care coverage. The health care Exchange will empower Oklahomans to make good choices for their families. It will also enable small business owners to purchase health plans that best meet their needs.”

Rep. Glen Mulready:

“This is an important step towards ensuring that any Exchange established in Oklahoma is a free enterprise and focused solution for private markets. It incorporates the continued role of professional insurance brokers and agents in helping Oklahoma families make the best long term healthcare decisions for their families. The last thing we want to do is leave this role to the federal government. This establishes our governing board and confirms we have state control that best suits the state of Oklahoma.”

Rep. Mark McCullough:

“It is very exciting for me to see Oklahoma’s Insurance Exchange actually taking shape. It has been over three years since Ed Haislmaier of the Heritage Foundation first came to the Capitol to discuss this groundbreaking innovation in health insurance delivery. Oklahoma is on its way to leading the nation away from top-down, government run health care and toward individual choice and the free market.”

NEXT STEP:
House Bill 2130 passed the House by a vote of 51-34. It now heads to the Senate for additional consideration.