House votes to freeze Insure Oklahoma funds but acts too late [Tulsa World, Okla.]

May 25--OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state House of Representatives passed a final-day concurrent resolution to "quarantine" the funding for the endangered Insure Oklahoma program, but it did so after the state Senate had adjourned for the year, making the action essentially meaningless.

Earlier this week, House Speaker T.W. Shannon refused to allow a proposed law to extend the program after its Dec. 31 end, saying, "I don't believe providing health insurance is a proper or efficient function of government."

That provoked Gov. Mary Fallin to say it became Shannon's responsibility to deal with the 9,000 people who would lose their health-care coverage as a result.

Insure Oklahoma uses federal Medicaid funding, $50 million in state tobacco tax money and employer contributions to subsidize private insurance for working poor Oklahomans -- people earning as much as 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

After Dec. 31, the federal government won't continue to fund the program because it violates the Affordable Care Act. About 21,000 Insure Oklahoma clients will be eligible for federally subsidized private insurance through a health-insurance exchange. The others in the program would be eligible for Medicaid coverage under the federal health-care law, but Fallin refused funding for the expansion.

Fallin suggested using the state tobacco tax money for an all-state-funded program for those 9,000 Insure Oklahoma clients, but Shannon refused to allow that idea to be considered by the House.

Friday's resolution doesn't address the fate of coverage for those people, but it directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority not to use the money for any other purpose.

It also says that the authority -- the state's Medicaid agency -- should not expand eligibility for the program or use any other money for it.

"Our intent in the case of the Insure Oklahoma resolution was to limit the program's ability to expand, and in no way are we making efforts to save the program," said Joe Griffin, a spokesman for Shannon "Our resolution would make it impossible to seek federal waivers or funds for support. It also would make it impossible for Insure Oklahoma to be funded by any other state funds. In essence, we have quarantined its funding capability."

Rep. Glen Mulready, author of the measure, pushed blame for the situation to President Barack Obama.

"The answer to this problem is not further intrusion by the federal government," said Mulready, R-Tulsa. "This is a clear message that we need to find a better solution, and we will not follow the example of Washington, D.C."

Although the resolution passed on an unrecorded 45-20 vote, it would not have any effect unless it is also passed by the Senate, which had already adjourned for the year.

Mulready told members there would still be an effect from passing the resolution because it would express the legislative intent of the House.

The confusing nature of the bill prompted Rep. David Dank, R-Oklahoma City, to serenade the House with a send-up of the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme song.

"M-I-C-K-E-Y H-O-U-S-E," Dank sang in a gruff baritone.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said House leaders don't seem to understand the nature of the problem.

"The House leadership is saying that their bill limits the expansion of Insure Oklahoma. Right now Insure Oklahoma isn't set to expand. It's set to disappear," he said.

That can be avoided in two ways: The president can relent and allow federal Medicaid money to be used after Dec. 31 -- Fallin's preference -- or the state can fund its own effort, Weintz said.

Friday's resolution does not resolve Fallin's challenge to Shannon to deal with the issue, he said.

Weintz said Fallin reserves the right to call a special session of the Legislature to deal with the issue, but she isn't likely to do so unless there is reason to believe that something would be accomplished.

About Insure Oklahoma

What it does: Insure Oklahoma underwrites the costs of health insurance for working poor Oklahomans.

Funding: Federal Medicaid money, state tobacco tax revenue, employer and employee contributions

State contribution: About $50 million

History: In 2004, state voters approved an increase in the tobacco tax to fund the program.

Eligibility: Working Oklahomans earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level whose employers participate in the program

Numbers: About 30,000 people purchase private insurance using Insure Oklahoma assistance.

Deadline: The program ends Dec. 31, when federal funding is withdrawn. About 21,000 Insure Oklahoma clients will be eligible for federally subsidized private insurance through a health insurance exchange. About 9,000 others will lose their coverage.

Wayne Greene 918-581-8308

wayne.greene@tulsaworld.com

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