Senator Adelson calls on GOP Speaker Todd Hiett to Listen to the People of Oklahoma

Senator Tom Adelson, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Social Services, called on GOP Speaker Todd Hiett and his Republican leadership team to allow an up-or-down vote on House Bill 1617.

“As lawmakers, we have a duty to help those that need it the most,” Adelson, (D-Tulsa) said. “It is quite evident House leaders are simply turning their backs on the thousands of uninsured in Oklahoma who depend on us to be their voice in the legislature.”

Adelson said Republican House leaders have an opportunity to give healthcare in Oklahoma a healthy dose of federal dollars at no cost to Oklahoma taxpayers. The Senator said rejecting federal dollars would be fiscally negligent.

“As I woke up this morning and read the editorial pages of both the Tulsa World and the Oklahoman, the two largest newspapers in this state, I was pleased to see they understand Oklahomans are counting on us for help.” Adelson said.

The lawmaker said in both editorials, the message was loud and clear-Show that you truly value families and pass the bill to help all Oklahomans as they struggle with skyrocketing healthcare costs. He also noted the bill has been endorsed by the Tulsa World, the Oklahoman, the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Chamber of Commerce as well as the Oklahoma State Medical Society.

“I would hope Speaker Hiett would take these words to heart and do what’s morally right,” Adelson said.

Adelson added the bill passed the Senate and only needs the Speaker and his Republican leadership team to give the ok for the bill to emerge out of conference committee.

“Lately we have heard the rhetoric from the GOP that the conference committee is a good place for great legislation to die,” Adelson said. “It seems they are the ones who are indeed using the conference committee to kill a bill that would give healthcare in Oklahoma the shot in the arm that it truly needs.”

The Senator said by doing so, Speaker Hiett and his leadership team are showing that once again their rhetoric does not match their record.

“If they are interested in making tomorrow better for our children, and if they valued families as their rhetoric would suggest, they would pass this bill,” Adelson concluded.