Health care providers say bill will provide access

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Health care providers are urging lawmakers to pass legislation that will pump almost $300-million into Oklahoma's Medicaid system.<br/><br/>The bill would create a provider assessment

Wednesday, May 18th 2005, 5:47 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Health care providers are urging lawmakers to pass legislation that will pump almost $300-million into Oklahoma's Medicaid system.

The bill would create a provider assessment program in which state hospitals would contribute less than 1 percent of their gross patient revenue each year.

That would produce about $93-million a year that could then be matched with almost $200-million in federal money to bolster the state's Medicaid program.

Lawmakers must make a decision by May 27th, the last day of the Legislature.

Oklahoma's program ranks in the bottom five nationally in expenditures.