Issues Impacting Oklahoma Doctors

Areas of concern:

• Legal Reform: Restore non-economic damage limits and pursue “certificate of merit” requirements providing greater protections for physicians from unnecessary and frivolous litigation. Promote access to care by providing physicians with a stable and lower-cost medical liability system.

• Scope of Practice: Defend against any legislation that would expand the scopes of practice for non-physician providers without the approval of the Oklahoma Patients’ Coalition. Support efforts to ensure that allopathic and osteopathic physicians are appropriately referenced in any legislation dealing with medical diagnosis and procedures. Oppose any legislation that could jeopardize patient safety.

• Physician Practice: Oppose legislation that would either require or prohibit specific courses of treatment or otherwise override a physician’s medical judgment. Oppose efforts to interfere in the physician/patient relationship. Oppose efforts by nonphysicians to dictate or influence medical school curricula or continuing medical education requirements. Support efforts to decrease administrative burdens on physician offices.

• Reimbursement: Maintain adequate physician reimbursement through Oklahoma’s new Medicaid Managed Care administrative system and support legislative/insurance reforms that will help maintain those levels. Promote access to care through other initiatives and incentives for physicians to see Medicaid patients and to serve in rural & underserved communities.

• Insurance Reform: Promote legislation enhancing physician “pre-authorization” for services provided in a hospital setting. Also support cost transparency associated with health care.

• Public Health: In the case of enhanced exposure to any pandemic (coronavirus or other variants), support public health initiatives such as mask-wearing, social distancing and hand cleansing while also promoting anti-tobacco, anti-obesity and other initiatives to improve the public health in Oklahoma.

• Government Oversight: Return board oversight to the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Additional Resources:

• OK House
• OK Senate
• Our Lobbyists

For more information on state legislative issues contact Matt Robison.