Magna Carta News
Thursday, February 05, 2004
"Common Sense"
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Office of the Speaker
February 5, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mike Fina
Media Assistant to the Speaker
Oklahoma City: (405) 962-7618 or (800) 522-8502
"Common Sense"
By House Speaker Larry E. Adair
The gavel fell Monday at noon to convene the Second Regular Session of the 49th Legislature, which will be one of the most significant legislative sessions since statehood. Term limits will prevent 28 members from returning to the House next February, including myself.
There are several issues I wish to address during my last session that will be highlighted in my column from week to week.
Health care is a top priority this session. Fewer Oklahomans have health insurance than most of the country. Eighteen percent of our population is without insurance, ranking Oklahoma fifth nationally. This causes an overflow of citizens seeking general heath care in the emergency room, the most expensive form of treatment. When these
individuals are unable to pay the bill, the cost is passed onto the hospitals and ultimately to you and me.
A critical facet of this problem is rural health care. Oklahoma has a higher percentage of citizens requiring medical attention in rural areas than most of the nation. The problem is the cost to operate rural medical facilities for relatively few patients. Another aspect of rural health care is the availability of physicians who accepts medicaid
payments. In some instances patients are forced to travel great distances to see a doctor.
Resolving funding problems for trauma centers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City is an immediate concern. Recently the trauma center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center was in jeopardy of losing its level one designation. Fortunately we negotiated a temporary plan to keep it operational, but a permanent source of funding must be identified this session.
The House Democrats unveiled their agenda on Monday that addresses these and other health care issues. It is our intention to create a balanced Oklahoma by improving the areas of education, health care, economic development, public safety and transportation. We will be working this session to advance an agenda that is designed to help all Oklahomans.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives
Office of the Speaker
February 5, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mike Fina
Media Assistant to the Speaker
Oklahoma City: (405) 962-7618 or (800) 522-8502
"Common Sense"
By House Speaker Larry E. Adair
The gavel fell Monday at noon to convene the Second Regular Session of the 49th Legislature, which will be one of the most significant legislative sessions since statehood. Term limits will prevent 28 members from returning to the House next February, including myself.
There are several issues I wish to address during my last session that will be highlighted in my column from week to week.
Health care is a top priority this session. Fewer Oklahomans have health insurance than most of the country. Eighteen percent of our population is without insurance, ranking Oklahoma fifth nationally. This causes an overflow of citizens seeking general heath care in the emergency room, the most expensive form of treatment. When these
individuals are unable to pay the bill, the cost is passed onto the hospitals and ultimately to you and me.
A critical facet of this problem is rural health care. Oklahoma has a higher percentage of citizens requiring medical attention in rural areas than most of the nation. The problem is the cost to operate rural medical facilities for relatively few patients. Another aspect of rural health care is the availability of physicians who accepts medicaid
payments. In some instances patients are forced to travel great distances to see a doctor.
Resolving funding problems for trauma centers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City is an immediate concern. Recently the trauma center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center was in jeopardy of losing its level one designation. Fortunately we negotiated a temporary plan to keep it operational, but a permanent source of funding must be identified this session.
The House Democrats unveiled their agenda on Monday that addresses these and other health care issues. It is our intention to create a balanced Oklahoma by improving the areas of education, health care, economic development, public safety and transportation. We will be working this session to advance an agenda that is designed to help all Oklahomans.
-30-
