Oklahoma voters yesterday approved expanding the state’s Medicaid initiative, the first state to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ballot question, which passed with nearly 50.5% of the vote, initiates a state constitutional amendment to provide Medicaid to those with incomes at or below 138% of the poverty level.

"For more than a decade, Oklahoma hospitals have been working tirelessly to increase health coverage, strengthen rural hospitals and boost our economy by expanding Medicaid,” the Oklahoma Hospital Association said in a statement. “Our work to increase health care access, reduce disparities and lower the number of uninsured will continue."

Also yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services added new FAQs to address states’ Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program agencies’ response to COVID-19. Integrated into the existing FAQ document, new topics include eligibility and enrollment, individuals in the optional COVID-19-testing group, non-emergency medical transportation and financing.

Related News Articles

Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 9 issued preliminary guidance regarding the implementation of certain state-directed payment provisions…
Headline
The AHA and other national hospital organizations Sept. 5 urged Senate and House leadership to act on preventing Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital…
Headline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is predicting a similar combined number of peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, the flu and respiratory…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 21 announced the creation of a Healthcare Advisory…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced a nationwide initiative aimed at reinforcing eligibility standards for Medicaid and the…
Headline
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a 60-day extension of the comment period on its proposed rule to remove the remaining…