At a capitol press conference on May 11, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other organizations such as the State Chamber thanked state house members who voted 80-15 to pass HB 1381. The bill, which previously passed the State Senate on a 39-9 vote, now heads to Governor Fallin for her approval.
“Having a well-funded health care system in Oklahoma is important to improving the economic climate in Oklahoma,” said State Chamber CEO Fred Morgan. “It is important to employers, employees and all health care consumers that we do everything we can to reduce or eliminate cost-shifting which occurs when government programs such as Medicaid do not cover the cost of services provided. HB 1381 certainly helps reduce this hidden tax.”
“Enacting HB 1381 is vital to rural Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “Some of the most at-risk hospitals are in rural Oklahoma, and both access and affordability are important as we grow our state’s rural economy. We simply need to make the federal government pay more of their share of Medicaid expenses. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau is very pleased the legislature is sending this bill to the Governor.”
HB 1381, the Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program, would assess a fee on Oklahoma’s hospitals that would then be used to achieve a two-to-one federal match to be used for Medicaid reimbursement. Supported by the hospitals affected by the fee, this fee could not be passed on to consumers.
“Any state employee will express that one of their greatest concerns is the rising cost of health insurance. Any bill that helps reduce inflationary pressures on health care costs is welcome and encouraged,” Oklahoma Public Employees Association Director Sterling Zearly. “OPEA is pleased to join with the health care community, business leaders and others in thanking the legislature for this vote and encouraging Governor Fallin to sign this important bill into law.”
“This bill is not just window-dressing,” stated Duncan businessman Terry Snyder. “This bill has very tangible, real-life effects. In addition to helping hospitals throughout the state – which are obviously economic engines in themselves – this bill will help make communities like Duncan more competitive in economic development and job creation. HB 1381 helps stabilize our health care delivery system, while also helping to make our health care more affordable to non-Medicaid consumers.”
“While session is not yet over, it is very clear the legislature, Speaker Steele, Pro-Tempore Bingman, and Governor Fallin have significantly improved the job creation climate in Oklahoma,” Fred Morgan stated. “HB 1381 is another important part of this overall picture, and I encourage Governor Fallin to sign this bill.”
To download audio of OFB President Mike Spradling speaking at the HB 1381 press conference, click here.
