There are a lot of issues with health care in Oklahoma. Many have insurance but can't afford to use it because they run down to $5 left in the bank before payday. Un-medicated heart conditions, can't afford the meds. (A issue I hear about in my town!) This is just a stupid way of life. And brings up the question why are we not getting brought up yet! Also why are there so many protest going on lately? Need to ask why so you would know. Like it's just for no reason just to be fancy like. There is a need to get brought up. Just because stupid people like to suffer doesn't mean you have to also. Why disable yourself like they do! Well you have to have a evolution sometime you can't live like your parents from the 1930's all the time. That was a bad time you can do better!
Oklahoma does need to expand health coverage to end the stupidity because it hurts others that want to live normal!
~~~~~Proponents rally, urges lawmakers to expand health coverage now
The time is now to expand health coverage to thousands of uninsured low-income Oklahomans, members of the Coalition to Expand Coverage stressed Wednesday during a rally at the state Capitol.
"This is the year. We need it now," said Angela Monson, a rally organizer and former state senator. "We can't afford to wait."
Oklahoma is one of 14 states that has refused federal Medicaid expansion dollars that could provide health coverage for an estimated 100,000 people who currently are uninsured.
Speakers at the Rally for Coverage said it's time to take the money and use it to provide coverage for those people by enrolling them in Medicaid or another state program.
The approximately 250 people in attendance were urged to tell lawmakers to vote for health coverage expansion.
"Speak boldly. They work for you," Monson said.
Debbie Hill was among a group of 23 people who came to the rally from Norman.
"I was a teacher for 30 years, and I saw the effect the lack of health care had directly on my students," Hill said. She said it was common for her high schoolers to miss class or to be sleepy in class after a late-night trip to the emergency room because of a health emergency.
Oklahoma's child uninsured rate is among the highest in the nation, said the Rev. Joseph Alsay of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, calling it "a sin and a shame."
Alsay said one-quarter of adults with diabetes ration their insulin or skip doses to save money, risking serious consequences like amputation and blindness.
David Blatt with the Oklahoma Policy Institute said one in six adults in Oklahoma has no coverage.
"Over the past seven years Oklahoma has been among a dwindling number of states that refuse to bring tax dollars home and expand coverage," Blatt said. Studies show expansion in other states has drastically reduced uninsured rates, improved families' financial stability and been good for the economy, he said.
"Not one state has gone back on its decision to expand coverage," Blatt said.
"Oklahoma has waited far too long to get on board with expansion, but better late than never," he said "The time to expand is now."
Patti Davis, president of the Oklahoma Hospital Association, said hospitals serve as the safety net for people who are uninsured.
"The hospital safety net is eroding, and nowhere more than in rural Oklahoma where residents are older, poorer and sicker," Davis said.
"It's not too late for the Legislature and governor to take action this session," she said.
Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, said lawmakers have been "working hard" the past year and a half to reach an agreement on health coverage expansion. The issue is difficult for many Republicans whose constituents are opposed to accepting the federal expansion dollars.
"We are working, and we are working hard," McEntire said. "We can't do nothing."
McEntire said there is a chance a bill could be ready for a vote this session or in a special session if needed.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt said Tuesday he would not sign legislation to expand Medicaid, which currently serves 800,000 Oklahomans.
"I want to get dollars into our health care system, but I think there are better ways to do it," Stitt said. "We've got to think two or three years down the road and how we're going to pay for it."
A petition was filed Friday seeking to put the question of Medicaid expansion to Oklahoma voters in the 2020 general election. Proponents will have to collect nearly 178,000 voter signatures for the question to appear on the ballot.
