Healthcare

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 519: Hospitals; prohibiting hospitals from taking certain collection action against patients. Effective date.

SB 519 prohibits Oklahoma hospitals from using certain debt collection tactics against patients for services provided when the hospital was not following price transparency laws. Specifically, it bans hospitals from referring debts to third-party collectors, suing patients, or reporting debts to credit bureaus during those non-compliant periods. The bill directly affects patients who received care from hospitals not meeting transparency requirements, while allowing hospitals to continue normal billing practices. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and does not require refunds for past payments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient rights by banning hospitals from aggressive debt collection when violating price transparency, improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1837: Poor persons; Achieving a Better Life Experience Program account; exemption; effective date.

This bill (HB 1837) protects Oklahoma residents using Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts by exempting these funds from being seized for debts or used to calculate eligibility for public assistance. Specifically, it ensures ABLE account balances cannot be claimed by creditors, garnished, or used to determine benefits under programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It also prevents Medicaid from seeking repayment from these accounts after a beneficiary's death. The law applies to both Oklahoma-established ABLE accounts and those from other states, effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects ABLE accounts from seizure and Medicaid repayment, ensuring continued access to healthcare funding for disabled residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate Jun 15, 2025

SB 207: Public health; establishing the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council; modifying requirements relating to newborn screening program. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 207 establishes the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council within the State Department of Health to address the needs of Oklahomans living with rare diseases (defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationally). The Council, composed of 13 diverse members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry representatives, will conduct public hearings, develop policy recommendations, and create emergency care protocols to improve access to specialists, diagnostics, and equitable treatment. The bill also modifies Oklahoma’s newborn screening program to require an educational initiative for treatable genetic disorders, aiming to prevent intellectual disabilities and reduce infant mortality through early intervention. This legislation directly affects rare disease patients, their families, healthcare providers, and state agencies responsible for public health programs in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council to improve patient access through policy recommendations and emergency care protocols for rare disease patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2048: Prescriptions; 340B Nondiscrimination Act; definitions; discriminatory actions; reimbursement; manufacturer; distributor; enforcement; Attorney General; Insurance Commissioner; violations; federal preemption; effective date.

HB 2048, the "340B Nondiscrimination Act," prohibits health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), and third-party payors from discriminating against healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It specifically bans lower reimbursement rates for 340B drugs, extra fees or administrative burdens for 340B entities, exclusion from provider networks based on 340B status, and requirements to disclose 340B-specific billing details. The law applies to all 340B entities - such as community health centers and hospitals participating in the federal program - and ensures they receive equal treatment in billing, reimbursement, and network access. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, with the Oklahoma Medicaid program excluded from these provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from discriminating against 340B providers, ensuring consistent reimbursement and access to discounted drugs for safety-net hospitals serving vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProtects 340B providers (including VA facilities) from discriminatory reimbursement, ensuring veterans' access to discounted medications via the federal 340B program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1186: Practice of pharmacy; designating certain drug as over-the-counter. Effective date.

SB 1186 designates ivermectin suitable for human use as an over-the-counter medication in Oklahoma, allowing pharmacies to sell it without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. This directly affects pharmacies, which can now dispense the drug without requiring a prescription, and consumers, who can purchase it directly without medical oversight. The bill amends Oklahoma law to override existing prescription requirements for this specific drug, effective November 1, 2026. It does not change access to other medications or impose new regulations beyond this single drug's status.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves prescription requirement for ivermectin, bypassing medical oversight and weakening healthcare safeguards for drug access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 574: Attorney General; broadening approved purposes for opioid grant awards; authorizing certain use of funds by the Attorney General. Effective date.

SB 574 expands the types of opioid-related projects eligible for state grant funding by allowing the Attorney General to allocate funds toward new prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and community organizations receiving opioid grants by broadening allowable uses beyond current restrictions. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to use grant funds for specific, previously ineligible activities, such as community-based support programs. This policy change modifies how opioid grant funds are distributed without altering the grant application process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands opioid grant funding for prevention/treatment programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals by addressing root causes of crime and reducing recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands opioid grant funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, directly increasing healthcare access and public health funding for substance use disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 422: Public health; prohibiting certain vaccination requirement; prohibiting certain discrimination. Emergency.

SB 422 prohibits public entities (including state agencies, local governments, and contractors working with them) from requiring residents to get COVID-19 vaccines or discriminating based on vaccination status. The bill applies to all residents of Oklahoma and covers businesses under contract with government entities. It defines "political subdivision" and codifies these restrictions into Oklahoma law, taking immediate effect due to an emergency declaration. The law does not restrict private businesses not under government contract.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits mandatory vaccination requirements, a public health measure, restricting government's ability to enforce vaccine mandates for disease control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1334: Public retirement systems; insurance benefits; monthly premium amount; effective date.

HB 1334 modifies how Oklahoma public retirement systems pay for health insurance premiums for retired non-education employees. It sets a new monthly contribution limit of $105 or $210 (depending on the retirement system) toward health insurance premiums, whichever is less than the actual premium cost. This applies to retirees from the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, Law Enforcement Retirement System, and Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges who are receiving benefits. The change affects retirees who continue health coverage after retirement, requiring them to cover any premium costs exceeding the system's contribution. The bill replaces previous payment structures and takes effect on the bill's effective date.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill caps retirement systems' health insurance premium contributions ($105/$210 max), restricting coverage for retirees by requiring them to cover costs exceeding this limit.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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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

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 29: Health care; requiring licensed practitioners to offer pharmacogenomic test prior to prescription of psychotropic drugs. Effective date.

SB 29 requires licensed healthcare providers in Oklahoma to offer pharmacogenomic testing to patients before prescribing psychotropic medications (like antidepressants or antipsychotics). This applies to all patients receiving such prescriptions and mandates providers to explain the test's benefits, confirm if it's FDA-approved, provide a cost estimate, and obtain the patient's informed consent. If consent is given, the test must be administered before the medication is prescribed. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025, aiming to personalize treatment based on genetic factors affecting drug response.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pharmacogenomic testing before psychotropic prescriptions to personalize treatment, improving patient outcomes and supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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