Medicaid

This comes amid new leadership at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), with Director Clay Bullard taking the place of former agency CEO Ellen Buettner, who departed to assume the role of CEO at the Regional University System of Oklahoma.

Bullard previously served on the Oklahoma Medical Board and was a consulting advisor to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s director and executive team.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board voted to table the approval of an emergency rule related to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent anti-abortion executive order, which asked the agency to take certain actions regarding provider contracting.

The $50 billion rural health fund established in President Donald Trump’s megabill seeks to help stabilize and strengthen rural hospitals and providers.

A reproductive health advocate called it a “direct attack” on Planned Parenthood and its ability to participate in Oklahoma Medicaid.

Pending federal approval, schools could recoup more Medicaid dollars from providing services like occupational and speech therapy, and behavioral health supports to eligible students.

Oklahoma health care leaders estimate state hospitals will see $6.3 billion in Medicaid reimbursement cuts as funding reductions made to the program through President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” set in.

Those include work requirements and a moratorium on new or increased provider taxes.

Oklahoma Health Care Authority Chief of Staff Christina Foss has been appointed as the new state Medicaid director.

Indigenous health experts and providers say despite their outreach, people can fall through the cracks for several reasons.