Senator Tom Adelson called again today for Speaker Todd Hiett to allow an up or down vote on House Bill1617, the Hospital Quality and Access Fee, a $300 million investment in Oklahoma’s critically under-funded healthcare system.

Late Thursday evening, Federal Judge Claire Egan issued her final judgment and permanent injunction in the lawsuit against the state’s Medicaid program in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Judge Egan ordered that physicians providing services to children be reimbursed at a rate equal to the Medicare fee schedule.

“That’s exactly what HB1617 will do,” Adelson said. “House Bill 1617 assesses a hospital fee that would raise more than $300 million in Medicaid funding at no cost to the Oklahoma taxpayer. Speaker Hiett is running out of time and excuses.

“This proposal meets the federal standard, and I am confident the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will approve the proposal, just as CMS has in other states. Regarding the administration of the program, Judge Egan extensively reviewed the state’s Medicaid program and found substantial compliance in the administration of Oklahoma’s Medicaid,” Adelson continued.

Judge Egan ruled that low Medicaid reimbursement rates have discouraged Oklahoma physicians from seeing thousands of low income children.

“It’s a violation of Oklahoma values to allow our neediest citizens to suffer,” said Adelson.

The Senator said Speaker Hiett also fails to recognize that HB1617 will reduce the cost shifting that occurs when physicians provide care at a loss to underserved Oklahomans. Collectively, hospitals and doctors lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually in providing care at below cost to Medicaid patients.

Who pays? Those who have health insurance. Uncompensated care is a hidden tax imposed upon those Oklahomans with commercial insurance. The cost shifting places even greater pressure on small businesses that have seen double digit increases in their health insurance premiums each of the last five years.

“That’s why the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the Oklahoma Hospital Association as well as the Tulsa and OKC Chambers of Commerce and the State Chamber of Commerce, have all endorsed HB1617.” The lawmaker said. Senator Adelson said he hopes the Speaker will show some leadership by allowing an up or down vote.

“One person stands in the way of simply allowing a vote,” Adelson said. “His Hiettness does not know better than the entire business and medical community as to what’s best for the future of Oklahoma healthcare.”

For more information contact:
Senator Adelson's Office- (405) 521-5551