Medical transparency bill heads to governor
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would require health care providers to provide upfront costs to patients is headed to the governor’s desk.
The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1006 Tuesday which require providers and facilities to publicize and update annually the costs of the most common healthcare services electronically or online.
“For most families, health care is the most expensive consumer purchase they will make, yet most have no idea what the services they receive cost until after the fact,” said Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. “With every other service from oil changes to house cleaning, consumers are provided prices before they purchase, and it should be the same with health care. House Bill 1006 will add transparency to the costs of medical services and allow cash-paying patients to decide what the best option is for them based on their budget.”
HB 1006 also requires that facilities publish their most common diagnosis and outpatient CPT codes.
“We have a long way to go to get to a point in the marketplace where consumers have all the data, including pricing to make smart, informed decisions on where to seek medical treatments,” said Sen. Pugh.
‘Sarah Stitt Act’ passes Senate
The full Senate has approved a measure to better prepare inmates to rejoin society and the workforce.
Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the Senate author of House Bill 1679, the “Sarah Stitt Act.” Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Brian Hill, R-Mustang, carried the measure in the House. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate on April 12.
HB 1679 heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt for his signature.
Weaver, a career law enforcement officer, said the measure would require the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) to coordinate with the Department of Public Safety to provide REAL ID noncompliant identification cards to all inmates who do not have a current state-issued identification card or driver license upon their release.
“I’m really excited about this bill because it gives people who have served their time a second chance,” Weaver said. “Not having a state-issued ID can be a huge roadblock to rejoining the workforce and resuming day-to-day life. This legislation addresses that need, and that will ultimately help us reduce recidivism and save taxpayer dollars.”
Weaver said the criminal justice reform measure was championed by First Lady Sarah Stitt.
Senators declare April Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Oklahoma Senate has given approval to Senate Resolution 12, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Rosino urged Oklahomans to take note of a display of more than a thousand American flags on the south lawn of the state Capitol.
“In all, there are 1,084 flags representing children in the U.S. who lost their lives in 2019 as a result of abuse and neglect. There are also 29 Oklahoma flags representing the deaths of children in our own state,” Rosino said. “When you see all those flags blowing in the wind, it’s hard to grasp that every single one represents the life of a child ended by abuse and neglect, but I believe bringing attention to these terrible losses is key to finding ways to better protect children here in Oklahoma and throughout the country.”
SR 12 states that research shows safe, nurturing relationships and stimulating, stable environments improve brain development and child wellbeing, while neglectful or abusive experiences and unstable or stressful environments increase the odds of poor childhood outcomes, and can cause severe, costly and lifelong problems, including physical and mental health problems, school failure and criminal behavior.
“We have about a million children in Oklahoma. The problems resulting from abuse and neglect not only impact the children, but the entire family, our communities and our state as a whole,” Rosino said. “We know that parents and caregivers who have social networks and reach out for help are more resilient and better able to provide healthy environments for their children. I’m grateful for the efforts of organizations, like Parent Promise, which help strengthen Oklahoma families. Preventing child abuse must be a priority for all of us.”
Bill would create mental health classes for students
The full Senate has given approval to Maria’s Law to help Oklahoma students better understand mental health issues and how they can impact their overall wellbeing.
Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, are principal authors of the legislation, which was approved unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday.
Under HB 1568, beginning with the 2022-23 school year, the Oklahoma State Board of Education would require all schools to include instruction in mental health as part of any health education curriculum, with an emphasis on the interrelation of physical and mental wellbeing.
It also directs the Board, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, to revise the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Health and Physical Education to include a focus on mental health and develop a list of age-appropriate resources for students in grades K-12. It also allows school districts to enter into agreements with nonprofits or other community partners to assist in providing mental health education if those entities or partners are approved by the Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health.
The bill now returns to the House for consideration of Senate amendments.
Stitt signs second chance bill for young offenders
More of Oklahoma’s young offenders will soon get a second chance to get back on the right path thanks to legislation signed late Monday by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 140 is a step to help rehabilitate offenders, reduce recidivism and address prison overpopulation, according to bill author Sen. Michael Brooks (D-Oklahoma City).
The bill increases the age of participation for nonviolent, first time male offenders in the state’s Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults from 21 to 25.
The program, also known as Regimented Inmate Discipline (RID), was started by the Department of Corrections (DOC) as a deferred sentencing alternative for young adults ages 18 to 21, who did not qualify as juvenile or youthful offenders. The program is open to those who are found guilty or plead no contest for a nonviolent felony offense, or a juvenile who has been certified to stand trial as an adult for a nonviolent felony offense and who has no charges pending for a violent offense. Offenders also cannot have been convicted of certain crimes including assault and battery, first- or second-degree murder, kidnapping, crimes against children or drug trafficking.
The “boot camp” style program includes services critical to rehabilitation like counseling, psychiatric or medical treatment, education or vocational training, work and restitution. Sentencing is delayed until the program is completed. Based on a participant’s results, a judge can defer judgement, declare or suspend sentencing, recommend community sentencing or dismiss the criminal charges.
DOC requested the bill after the passage of State Question 780 changed simple possession to a misdemeanor, impacting the number of participants in the program.
The new law will go into effect on November 1, 2021.