OHA fighting for provider rate floor extension

Posted on: 4/12/24

This week the House Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee took up SB 1675 (Rep. McEntire/Sen. McCortney). The bill protects reimbursement rates for providers in SoonerSelect (managed Medicaid) beyond the existing sunset date of July 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill adds an additional contracted entity for the next SoonerSelect procurement cycle. The additional contracted entity must be a provider-owned entity, matching the original intent of SoonerSelect. The bill’s next stop is the full Appropriations and Budget Committee. 

As OHA’s advocacy efforts ramp up this session, save time and register with our advocacy platform so you can take quick action when an OHA action alert hits your inbox. You may register here. 

A carryover bill from last legislative session, HB 1713 (Rep. Marti/Sen. Garvin), was heard in Senate Health and Human Services this week. The bill prohibits the practice of payor-mandated white bagging. White bagging is the practice of disallowing a provider from procuring and managing the handling of a drug used in patient care. Instead, a third-party specialty pharmacy dispenses the drug and sends it to a hospital or physician office on a one-off basis, jeopardizing patient care, access and quality. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
 
While the House and Senate continue to debate the merits of their respective budget processes and proposals, candidate filing came and went last week. A total of 285 candidates filed for the Oklahoma Legislature, the U.S. House and the state Corporation Commission. Half of the Oklahoma House of Representatives won reelection by default since they drew no challenger. Senate Majority Floor Leader and Pro Temp designee Greg McCortney drew two primary challengers, but one challenger withdrew leaving him with one primary challenger. Drawing no challengers, House Speaker designee Kyle Hilbert won reelection by default. (Scott Tohlen)