Optional Insurance for Oklahoma Lawmakers Approved in House

March 3, 2010

The Oklahoma House has passed legislation allowing lawmakers to opt out of the state employees group health and life insurance plans.

House members voted 92-4 for the bill and sent it on to the Senate for consideration.

The measure’s author, Rep. Leslie Osborn of Tuttle, says the bill will free up taxpayer money. Any savings would be retained by the state.

If 25 percent of state lawmakers opted out of the state’s health insurance, the state could save around $500,000 a year. Osborn says that money would be better spent on education, public safety or other core services.

Osborn says legislating is a part-time job and many lawmakers may have better options for insurance through their spouse or their private sector employer.

Topics Legislation Oklahoma

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