Gov. Stitt And State Health Officials Celebrate New Health Care Model

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is transitioning into a new health care model.

On Thursday morning, the governor held a press conference to talk about it.

Senate Bill 1337 will allow the authority to change the bidding process that awards managed care contracts.

It would also give preferential treatment to entities led by local providers.

Lawmakers argue the value-based plan would keep costs low for the state, by paying providers a flat rate for patients covered.

The legislation comes after an attempt to set up a managed care system failed.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled last year that the healthcare authority didn't have the power to switch to managed care.

But this time, the change comes from the legislature.

The other Senate Bill, 1396, will invest additional funding into the Oklahoma health care community by bringing in additional federal dollars in the form of supplemental payments to qualifying providers.

“It’s important for all of us to stay focused on the task at hand, which is serving Oklahomans to our best ability,” said Kevin Corbett, the Chief Executive Officer of OHCA and Secretary of Health and Mental Health

The press conference will be Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at the Norman Regional Health System Education Center.

The press conference is being held by Gov. Kevin Stitt, Secretary Kevin Corbett and Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Carrie Slatton-Hodges.

It will also include state health officials who will speak at the event, including Richie Split, the President and CEO of Norman Regional Health System. Jim Gebhart, Community President of Mercy Hospital, will speak as well.

According to the Oklahoma Medical Authority, a medical and dental RFP is expected to be finalized and made public by fall 2022.

The anticipated implementation date of the new delivery system is October 1, 2023, subject to the requirements and approval of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.