Healthcare

passed both · Oklahoma · House May 22, 2025

HB 1683: Vision insurance; noncovered services or materials; prohibitions; effective date; emergency.

HB 1683 requires most health benefit plans in Oklahoma to cover contraceptive drugs (like pills, patches, or rings) without prior authorization. Specifically, plans must cover a three-month supply when a member first gets the drug, and a six-month supply for each subsequent refill - limiting members to one six-month supply per six-month period. The law excludes coverage for drugs intended to terminate existing pregnancies and allows smaller prescriptions if medically necessary. It applies to all plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after November 1, 2025, and does not affect vision insurance coverage (the title appears to contain an error).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for contraceptives without prior authorization, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services under health benefit plans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 19, 2025

HB 2052: Health insurance; exemption of certain domestic health maintenance organizations from certain provisions of the Health Maintenance Organizations Act; effective date.

HB 2052 exempts certain domestic health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that exclusively contract with Oklahoma's Medicaid program (via the Oklahoma Health Care Authority) from most state health insurance regulations. These HMOs, which serve only Medicaid recipients and no other patients, are no longer subject to specific provisions of the Health Maintenance Organizations Act, including requirements about benefit coverage and certain administrative rules. The exemption applies solely to services provided to Medicaid recipients under Oklahoma Statutes Title 56, Section 4002.2. The law became effective November 1, 2025, after passing without the Governor's signature.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExempts Medicaid-only HMOs from benefit coverage requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for services to vulnerable patients.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 906: Practice of pharmacy; establishing certain pharmacy staffing ratio. Effective date.

This Oklahoma bill establishes a maximum staffing ratio requiring retail pharmacies to maintain no more than five pharmacy technicians for every one licensed pharmacist. It also updates regulations for pharmacy technicians by mandating permits, setting a renewal fee of up to $75 annually, and outlining procedures for late renewals and permit reinstatement. The law applies to all licensed retail pharmacies in Oklahoma and takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes staffing ratios to ensure adequate pharmacist oversight, protecting patient safety and improving pharmacy service quality.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · House May 8, 2025

HB 2746: Revenue and Taxation; Remote Quality Jobs Incentive Act; eligibility requirements for basic health benefits plans; effective date.

HB 2746 amends Oklahoma's Remote Quality Jobs Incentive Act to require proxy establishments (entities that attract remote workers to the state) to verify that included remote workers have basic health insurance meeting specific coverage standards. The insurance must cover hospital care, physician services, mental health, substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs, and prenatal care, with employees paying no more than 50% of the premium. The bill also clarifies key terms like "remote worker" (an employee working outside Oklahoma who hasn't lived there in the past year) and "new direct job" (a job created by an establishment other than the proxy that didn't exist before application approval). The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and became effective without the Governor's signature on May 8, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive health insurance coverage including mental health and substance abuse, with affordability requirements (≤50% employee premium share)90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates comprehensive health insurance coverage with employee cost cap, strengthening worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 95: Workers' compensation; amending definitions. Effective date.

SB 95 updates key definitions in Oklahoma's workers' compensation law to clarify eligibility and claims processing. It directly affects injured workers (claimants), employers, insurance carriers, and medical providers by defining terms like "case manager" (requiring specific nursing licenses or certifications) and "carrier" (explicitly including self-insured employers). The bill also clarifies what constitutes a "compensable injury," excluding age-related conditions like arthritis and adding drug testing rules for claims involving intoxication. These changes aim to standardize claims administration and reduce disputes over coverage. The bill became effective after the governor signed it on May 6, 2025.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExcludes age-related conditions (e.g., arthritis) from compensable injuries, restricting healthcare coverage under workers' compensation for specific medical conditions.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExcludes age-related conditions (e.g., arthritis) from compensable injuries, restricting worker benefits under workers' comp.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1380: Oklahoma Health Care Authority; Insulin Access and Affordability Program; effective date; emergency.

HB 1380 creates Oklahoma's Insulin Access and Affordability Program within the State Department of Health to lower insulin costs and improve access. The program requires the state to partner with nonprofit pharmaceutical companies and organizations to secure fast-acting insulin at capped prices: $30 per vial or $55 per pack of five pre-filled pens, with agreements detailing projected savings for Oklahoma residents and self-insured plans. It directly affects Oklahomans using insulin, particularly those on public or private insurance, by aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs through competitive pricing. The program takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires nonprofits to commit to specific price points and savings reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Oklahoma's Insulin Access Program capping costs at $30/vial, directly improving patient access to essential medication and lowering costs for residents.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 2012: Public health and safety; harm-reduction services; deleting sunset date; effective date.

HB 2012 removes the July 1, 2026, expiration date for Oklahoma's harm-reduction services program, making it permanent. It authorizes government agencies, religious institutions, nonprofits, for-profit companies, and tribal governments to provide services including needle distribution, HIV/hepatitis testing, referrals for addiction treatment, and safe needle disposal. Providers must register with the State Department of Health and report quarterly on services delivered, such as the number of people served, needles distributed, and test results. This bill directly affects people who use injection drugs by expanding access to health services aimed at reducing disease transmission and overdose risks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill permanently authorizes harm-reduction services including addiction treatment referrals, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism through rehabilitation rather than punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill makes harm-reduction services permanent, authorizing needle distribution, HIV/hepatitis testing, and addiction referrals - directly advancing public health access and prevention services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 2051: Practice of medicine; creating the Supervised Physicians Act; limiting scope of supervised practice; directing specified Boards to promulgate certain rules; requiring collaborative practice arrangements; creating certain exemptions; effective date.

HB 2051 creates Oklahoma's "Supervised Physicians Act," establishing a temporary pathway for medical school graduates to practice under supervision. It directly affects Oklahoma medical school graduates who have passed required exams but lack full licensure, requiring them to enter a collaborative practice arrangement with a fully licensed Oklahoma supervising physician who meets specialty qualifications. Key provisions include a two-year temporary license (non-renewable), mandatory identification as a "supervised physician" via name tags/lab coats, and prohibitions against independent practice without the approved arrangement. The bill does not create a full licensure alternative but sets specific rules for this supervised practice period, with oversight by the State Board of Medical Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates supervised practice pathway for medical graduates, enabling expanded healthcare access through temporary licensure under supervision95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SB 741: Practice of pharmacy; allowing pharmacist to test for and initiate drug therapy for certain minor, nonchronic health conditions. Effective date.

SB 741 allows Oklahoma pharmacists to test for and start treatment for minor, nonchronic health conditions (like colds or minor skin infections) under a standing order from a physician or health department director. Pharmacists must use only FDA-approved, CLIA-waived tests for screening and cannot test for strep throat or prescribe antibiotics to children under six. This directly expands pharmacists' clinical role for common, non-serious conditions while requiring specific safeguards. The bill amends Oklahoma's pharmacy law to clarify these new responsibilities and prohibitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist clinical roles for minor conditions, improving patient access to timely care without physician visits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 670: Health care providers; requiring certain continuing education; requiring specified mental health screening. Effective date.

SB 670 requires health care providers to complete specific continuing education on mental health screening as part of their ongoing training. This applies directly to licensed health care professionals who provide patient care, such as doctors, nurses, and counselors. The bill mandates that this training include standardized mental health screening protocols to be integrated into routine patient evaluations. It does not create new funding or insurance requirements, but instead sets a professional development standard for current providers. The bill is currently pending in committee after passing a committee review with amendments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates standardized mental health screening protocols for providers, advancing mental health services within routine care without funding changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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