The Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board approved a request to the legislature to increase funding by $275 million for next fiscal year. Of that increase, nearly 60% would fund the agency’s priority items and maintain their existing program in fiscal year 2016.
The increase would add to the base funding of around $953 million in state funds.
This increase funding includes an estimated 4% increase in the growth of its various programs, replacing lost federal dollars, coping with a federal mandate for an in-house administrative law judge and replacement of one-time carryover funds. These are the top four budget priorities for the agency. Other needs include restoring rates for provider groups which have been cut by 11% over the last two years.
Vickie Kersey, director of fiscal planning and procurement, told board members last Thursday the budget request was submitted to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services at the beginning of the month, prior to receiving anticipated estimated income from the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage that indicated Oklahoma would receive less assistance in 2016.
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