Expansion Approved For Insure Oklahoma

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Brad Henry has approved expansion of a state program that helps provide health coverage to uninsured Oklahomans.

Insure Oklahoma helps small businesses buy health insurance for their workers. Participating employers pay 25 percent of the insurance premiums, employees pay 15 percent and the state pays 60 percent.

Emergency rules signed by Gov. Henry Friday will expand the pool of eligible businesses, raising the eligibility limits from businesses with up to 50 employees to those with up to 99 employees and ultimately, 250 employees.

The rules also allow low-income, full-time college students to participate in the program.