Oklahoma Health Care Authority

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.

Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO Ellen Buettner said the director's predecessor, Melody Anthony, will serve as the interim state Medicaid director.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority board heard updates on Oklahoma’s managed Medicaid program and the agency’s 2025 legislative asks. It also voted to revise OHCA's policy on payment and coverage for abortions.

OHCA received enhanced federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic and incentives for expanding Medicaid. Now that the enhanced dollars have ended, the agency must bridge the gap.

The federal investment in school-based services could help more students and families connect with local health care resources.

The transition to managed Medicaid has been decades in the making. StateImpact’s Jillian Taylor spoke with Lou Carmichael, the CEO of Variety Care, about how it all happened.