Oklahoma's Secretary Of Health Visits DC

For Governor Stitt and his vision of Oklahoma being top ten in every area, there may be no bigger challenge than becoming top ten in health outcomes. Nevertheless, the administration is trying and this week that effort took the state’s top health official to the nation’s capital.

Health and Mental Health Secretary Kevin Corbett had meetings with his federal counterparts at the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as with the state's congressional delegation at the Capitol. He said it’s all about moving the needle.

"We are 48 in the country in health outcomes," said Corbett in an interview Thursday, "and we really do have a commitment to change that."

Secretary Corbett said, just as the cause of Oklahoma’s poor health standing is very complex, there is no simple solution.

"What we’re working on is just taking incremental steps to try and advance the things that need to take place," Corbett explained.

And he's quick to point out that Oklahoma is not alone in trying to improve public health.

"We are not unique in the situation -- health outcomes are a challenge for most states," Corbett allowed, "we just seem to be a little more pronounced in that. So, our desire is to learn as much as we can. We’re very proud, but not so proud that we won’t take ideas from others."

One of those ideas should improve maternal health across the state and especially among lower income Oklahomans. The state joined 31 other states and the District of Columbia in extending postpartum benefits for those on Medicaid to 12 months.

"So, we think thousands more women will have the ability to have healthcare coverage provided by the SoonerCare program, which is really kind of a game changer," said Corbett.

But in this instance, it appears to be one step forward and potentially two steps back. Because, while some residents will be added to the state’s Medicaid rolls, many more will soon be removed, as the federal prohibition on dropping anyone from Medicaid during the pandemic has now been lifted.

"Just to give it some context," said Corbett, "there’s 1.3 million members of the Medicaid program today in Oklahoma. 300,000 of those we believe are not eligible by the criteria and information we have, so we need to go through a thoughtful, compassionate process to start the unwinding of that."

Corbett said the state will work hard to try and make sure those losing their eligibility will have somewhere else to turn for health care.

The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates, nationwide, between 5 and 14 million people will lose Medicaid coverage in this unwinding. In Oklahoma, a 9-month disenrollment period begins on April 30.