Okla. Health Care Plan Approved

A program designed to provide health care to thousands of uninsured Oklahomans has been approved by the federal government, state officials said.

The program, pushed by Gov. Brad Henry and approved by the 2004 Legislature, will provide health insurance subsidies to businesses with 25 employees or less.

Last November, voters approved a state question that included the program but state officials had to wait for federal approval before the program could be implemented.

Henry said the program will be a boon to small companies that want to provide health insurance for their employees but can’t afford the high premiums.

“This program will help them bridge the gap and give employees the coverage they need,” he said. “It’s a pro-business, pro-health initiative that’s good for the state of Oklahoma.”

Under the program, employers will be required to contribute 25 percent to premium costs and employees will pay up to 15 percent. The state and federal government will pay the rest.

According to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the state has about $50 million available for the program, which will be matched each year with approximately $100 million in federal funds.

Officials say 20.3 percent of Oklahomans do not have health insurance, compared with 15.2 percent nationally.

Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, said about 70,000 uninsured working Oklahomans will soon be covered because of the program.

He said four insurance carriers already have signed up for the plan and proposals from two others are pending.

“Oklahoma has taken a giant step toward becoming a healthier state,” said Adelson, former state health secretary who helped develop the program.

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