Medicaid expansion in focus at forum

A discussion about a proposed expansion to Oklahoma’s Medicaid program was the subject of a public forum Sunday at the Norman Public Library Central.

Speaking to a crowd of approximately 50, the forum panel included Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman), Democratic Minority Leader Emily Virgin (D-Norman) and former State Rep. A.J. Griffin, who chaired the Oklahoma Legislature’s Subcommittee on Human Services. Additional speakers included April Heiple, executive director of Food and Shelter Inc.; Jeff Hughes, executive director of Progressive Independence Center for Independent Living; and Dan Sorrells, president of Molina HealthCare.

Panel members all spoke in favor of expanding Medicaid through the acceptance of federal funds matched by state funding, while emphasizing the complexity of providing health care to low-income Oklahomans. They said the health care system for low-income and Medicaid patients contains “tremendous gaps” in coverage, and needs to be overhauled.

Health care facilities and providers that serve low-income populations are overburdened and under financed. For some patients, simple things, such as transportation to and from appointments or a $20 co-pay, make receiving care impossible. Many patients cannot afford medication needed for recovery or ongoing treatment.

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