Changes To Healthcare Plan Could Benefit OK Economy, Lawmaker Says

A number of lawmakers are beginning to pitch ideas on how to deal with the budget shortfall and education.

One state senator is taking a unique approach to find ways to cut costs by looking at Oklahoma’s employee healthcare benefits plan.

State Senator Dan Newberry believes that is where some changes can create savings and put up to $100 million, annually, back into budget and be used for things like teachers' raises.

“As we are facing not only a revenue shortfall but teacher shortfall, we have got to deal with that situation,” he said.

Newberry drafted legislation he said would save money by switching up the current healthcare plan received by state employees.

“We asked the simple question - what would happen if we allowed for a private company to offer a similar benefit package, same deductibles, and co-pays and availability, but through a private company - versus state funded agency,” Newberry said.

He said the current plan prevents competition, which translates to higher costs for taxpayers.

Tulsa Public Schools teacher John Waldron said at least lawmakers are starting to think outside the box.

“I'm glad they are looking at this because you have to make this a place for professional teachers that want to work and stay in this state,” he said.

But even with that, Waldron is still cautiously optimistic.

He said, “We've done a lot of reforms in the last ten years and they haven't all been helpful.”

Newberry's idea will be one of many on how to help fund teachers and breathe life back into the state budget.

“Hopefully, this can be a starter conversation of how we get to the end result,” Newberry said.

Waldron said, “If we don't do something fast, ten years from now - with no professional teachers and education in ruins - we are going to face a dustbowl of the mind.”

The state legislative session begins on February 1st and runs until late May.