Cox’s Corner
by State Representative Doug Cox, M.D.
It was a good week at the Capitol as bills continued to be heard in committee. Actually, the committee work was completed last week and now the bills that survived will be debated and voted on by the full House.
Congratulations to Cleora School! They were designated by the Healthy Oklahoma program as a “Certified Healthy School.” They are the first school in Oklahoma to receive a bonus award for having only healthy food and beverage options for parties, events, fund raising and concessions. They were awarded a grant by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust for $2,625 to help build a new playground.
I have received some negative emails for my proposal to eliminate able-bodied adults from the Medicaid (SoonerCare) system. At present time, it looks like Medicaid is going to suffer a $110 million dollar budget cut, which after losing the matching federal funds means a $360 million decrease. We simply do not have enough money to continue benefits for healthy employable adults. The cuts will not affect children or pregnant ladies, only able-bodied adults who are between the ages of 18-64. This is the Medicaid population that can work.
I am sympathetic to their situation and realize that I will see them in the ER when they cannot get in to see a physician without insurance. However, with limited funds I feel we must prioritize to care for the children, those with disabilities, low income pregnant women and our low income seniors, including those in nursing homes. I would point out that this population of low income abled-bodied adults (33,953 males, 77,109 females) may continue to qualify for rent subsidies, utility subsidies, child care subsidies and food stamps.
It is sad to lose their SoonerCare insurance; however, many of these folks qualify for care through our tribal clinics, Indian Health Service facilities or VA clinics. In addition, Oklahoma now has 80 Federally Qualified Health Clinics – such as the Route 66 clinic in Afton – that serve this population. Lastly, many communities have free clinics, such as the Christian Clinic in Grove. In other words, there is a pretty good safety net of health care in place for them if they lose their SoonerCare.
Unfortunately, this may be just one example of reduced government services on the horizon until the present decrease in oil and natural gas prices resolves. I anticipate that may take a couple of years.
Visitors to the Capitol this week included students from Cleora school, Shawn Anderson, M.D. from Rapid Remedy in Grove, the crew from Delaware County Child Special Advocacy Network in Jay, Dan Sullivan from GRDA and Nick Brown from Delaware County DHS. In addition, Mike Nelson from Excalibur Sporting Goods in Afton spoke to a House committee regarding concealed carry permits.
Thanks for allowing me to serve as your state representative. I can be reached at dougcox@okhouse.gov or 405-557-7415.
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