Accepting Federal Dollars Would Make our Residents and our State Stronger

Accepting Federal Dollars Would Make our Residents and our State Stronger

The debate over whether Oklahoma extends healthcare coverage to more low-income residents is both an ethical and economic imperative. I have seen, firsthand, the impact on a person’s health because they simply lacked health insurance. They come to our institution in poor health, with many treatable conditions left untreated.

Just shy of 1 in 5 working age (19-64) Sooners is without health coverage, making Oklahoma the state with the second highest uninsured rate in the U.S. Fortunately, there’s a proven solution. Drawing down federal dollars to support SoonerCare would provide access to care for 200,000 people, including more than 46,000 parents and 18,000 seniors. The uninsured are our friends, neighbors, and family members who often work hard every day at one or more jobs to provide for their families. But when they are done for the day, there is no money left to buy health insurance.

In this case, the right moral decision is also the smart business decision. Under federal law, funding from taxpayers in all 50 states is dispersed among only the states that have expanded coverage. By declining to join the 37 states (including DC) that have already extended coverage to vulnerable, low-income residents we are, in effect, giving our tax dollars to the residents of Arkansas, Indiana and Louisiana. If Oklahoma extends SoonerCare coverage to more low-income families, Washington will pay 90 percent of the cost. In 2019 alone, this decision would have resulted in an influx of $1.1 billion in federal spending in Oklahoma.

Our refusal to accept federal dollars is also hindering job creation in our state. By keeping Oklahoma’s hospitals open for business and strengthening the healthcare sector’s ability to invest in our communities, expansion generates employment opportunities across any industry that has ties to healthcare. This money cycles into the local economy and fuels consumer purchases, business purchases, and business investment, creating secondary jobs. According to a study from Oklahoma State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, coverage expansion would create 14,568 new jobs over the next five years.

This is why I’m supportive of Oklahomans Decide Healthcare. Like many of us, Oklahomans Decide Healthcare wants to make sure that the citizens of Oklahoma have an opportunity to expand Medicaid and provide care for the most poor and vulnerable across our communities. If Oklahoma fails to accept federal dollars to provide coverage for 200,000 residents, we still will continue to fund other states’ expansions and their healthier outcomes, without receiving any of the direct or indirect benefits ourselves. Let’s put an end to this cycle and invest in the health and future of Oklahoma. 


Lex Anderson

Interim Controller, George Kaiser Family Foundation

4y

Mr. Lamons knows better than most how the citizens of our state have suffered by Oklahoma not accepting federal dollars to expand Medicaid.  He sees some of these citizens every day at St. John and his past experience as both a legislator and a police officer give perspective and experience that most of us don't have.  His arguments are spot on.  We need to expand Medicaid using available federal funds.  It will benefit not only the poorest and most vulnerable of our citizens, but everyone who pays for health insurance or pays taxes in Oklahoma.  It is time for our governor and legislature to act on this issue!

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