OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) on Aug. 11 notified the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services that it would no longer pursue the waiver application to implement block grant funding for Medicaid expansion.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Oklahoma is pleased the state will move forward with full Medicaid expansion July 1, 2021.
This March, when Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration released the waiver application, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Oklahoma immediately called for its withdrawal. The SoonerCare 2.0 proposal would have undermined access to health insurance coverage for individuals currently enrolled in the program and thousands of uninsured residents who could benefit from increased access to Medicaid.
Voters ultimately rendered the OHCA’S waiver application moot June 30 when they answered yes to State Question 802 and fully expanded Medicaid. We hope the application’s withdrawal means one fewer hurdle to improving outcomes and reducing the burden of cancer by offering access to prevention services and timely cancer screenings.