Alva Review-Courier -

Oklahoma voters on June 30 will be asked to vote yes or no on State Question 802, which seeks to add a new article to the Oklahoma Constitution to expand eligibility for Oklahoma’s Medicaid program to include low-income, able-bodied adults.

A yes vote on this measure would make Medicaid available to all Oklahoma adults between the ages of 18 and 65 whose income does not exceed 133% of the federal poverty level that are not already covered by Medicaid. Estimates show this is about 200,000 Oklahomans. This figure is just an estimate and could be much higher with the number of people who are recently unemployed due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

The federal poverty line changes annually, but if this measure were in effect in 2019, the measure generally would have covered a single adult making less than $17,236 annually and adults in a family of four making less than $35,535 annually.

If State Question 802 passes, because it is being put in the State’s Constitution there is no way to shape the plan for future needs such as additional work requirements or the payment of low-cost premiums.

It is worth noting that low-income children and their caregivers as well as the elderly, the blind and the disabled already qualify for SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s version of Medicaid.

The Medicaid program is funded jointly by the federal government and the state. This measure would require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to try to maximize federal funding for Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. This means we would be required to take federal funding that must then be spent in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Should the measure pass, the state Legislature would be tasked with securing the state portion of funding for the expansion ahead of the July 1, 2021, implementation. The initial estimates for how much this will cost the state were between $150 million and $200 million per year for the state’s 10% share of the funding. The governor now believes it will be higher due to more people being unemployed and the Medicaid population likely growing as a result. If the federal government ever changed their funding support, the state would be forced to come up with additional taxes to make up any funding shortfall.

This question was placed on the ballot through the initiative petition process, which is started by the people – not the Legislature. Signatures from 8% of voters in the last governor’s election were required to place the measure on the ballot.

Oklahoma voters will have to decide for themselves whether Medicaid expansion for able-bodied adults not currently covered is right for our state.

A yes vote on State Question 802 places Medicaid expansion to the adults mentioned above into the state constitution where it can only be changed by a future vote of the people. A no vote keeps Oklahoma’s Medicaid program as it is, serving the disabled, low-income children, their caregivers and the elderly.

The Legislature and the governor have been working on alternative options to meet the needs of this population but were not able to get it on the ballot at this time. If State Question 802 fails, that alternative will be presented.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. You may reach me by email at [email protected], or phone me at 405-557-7339. May God bless you and the State of Oklahoma.