A comprehensive plan to provide Oklahomans with increased access to affordable, quality health care and private insurance passed the state’s House of Representatives.
House Bill 2026, by House Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele, will, among other reforms, strengthen and promote the state’s Insure Oklahoma program. The program, which is has been a national model for several other states, is a successful public-private partnership that gives premium assistance to small business workers and employers.
The legislation is based on the work last interim in the bipartisan House Health Care Reform Task Force, whose members sought ways to reduce Oklahoma’s high number of uninsured. The task force released a report that was unanimously endorsed by the Republican and Democrat members alike.
The plan includes a core benefits package, which will allow young, healthy Oklahomans to purchase cheaper insurance policies without the cost increases brought on by the state’s 36 required mandates.
It also provides incentives to businesses that offer Section 125 plans so employees can use pre-tax dollars to purchase health care coverage and establishes the Oklahoma Exchange, which will build upon the current infrastructure to provide a service to assist individuals seeking to enroll in an insurance plan that would best meet their needs.
The legislation passed the House with a vote of 99-0 and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
The comprehensive plan in HB 2026 includes:
Reform/improve Insure Oklahoma – Insure Oklahoma is an effective public-private model for providing assistance to Oklahomans who meet certain eligibility requirements and are seeking health care coverage. The program can be improved by offering more choices. HB 2026 directs both the employer-sponsored insurance and individual insurance plans to offer additional low-cost options, such as high deductible plans compatible with health savings accounts. Also, Insure Oklahoma would be modified to be more customer-friendly, especially at the point of eligibility determination and enrollment.
Reform the Individual Market – HB 2026 will enable insurance providers to offer basic preventative plans with catastrophic coverage by relaxing mandates so more low-cost choices can be offered to uninsured Oklahomans.
Encourage the use of Section 125 Plans – HB 2026 provides incentives to businesses that offer Section 125 Plans so employees can use pre-tax dollars to purchase health care coverage.
Establish the Oklahoma Exchange – The plan builds upon the current infrastructure to provide a service to assist individuals seeking to enroll in an insurance plan that would best meet their needs.
Establish Enrollment Options at Point of Access – In order to provide greater access to private health insurance and strengthen the marketplace for insurers, hospitals, physicians and other health care providers, cost-shifting must be reduced to moderate premiums. Under this model, the Oklahoma Exchange would be used to proactively connect individuals without health insurance to coverage options.
Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives
Topics Legislation Oklahoma
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