The Metropolis Sentinel, Employees Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – About 40 states nationwide have ready lists for providers for people with developmental disabilities.
In a press launch despatched to The Metropolis Sentinel newspaper, information service CapitolBeatOK.com and different information organizations, Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma Metropolis, mentioned laws he introduced within the Senate on Wednesday (Might 19) to put the inspiration for eliminating Oklahoma’s personal ready record was signed into legislation by Gov. Kevin Stitt Thursday (Might 20).
Rosino, vice chair of the Senate Well being and Human Providers Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Well being and Human Providers, introduced Home Invoice 2899 within the Senate. Rosino launched this invoice earlier this 12 months, and (as is customary) laid out the case for his proposal earlier than his colleagues earlier than ultimate passage. Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, advocated for the measure this session.
Rosino mentioned H.B. 2899 is an important a part of a plan that can lastly assist handle a 13 year-long ready record for providers.
“Initially of Might, that ready record was approaching 6,000 folks. Oklahomans with disabilities and their households want and deserve these providers,” Rosino mentioned.
“We’re coordinating with the Division of Human Providers [DHS] to actually get a deal with on the scope of the wants of those people so we will eradicate the ready record in a method that prioritizes and helps Oklahoma households.”
On ultimate consideration, H.B. 2899 cleared the Home on a 37-9 vote early within the week, then prevailed within the Senate with a 78-19 margin.
Beneath Well being and Human Providers Secretary Justin Brown, DHS has issued two requests for proposals — one for an data know-how system and the opposite for an evaluation navigation program to assist higher decide the distinctive wants of these on the ready record.
Rosino mentioned this can allow the division to calculate an actual price estimate for the Legislature so {that a} plan could be developed to eradicate the ready record. Moreover, H.B. 2899 requires these wanting to use for providers to first have been a resident of Oklahoma for 5 years.
“This 5 12 months residency requirement merely ensures that Oklahoma households are all the time prioritized for the providers our state gives,” Rosino mentioned.
Samantha Galloway, chief of employees and operations for DHS, mentioned the mixed steps by the company and the Legislature shall be crucial for Oklahoma’s efforts to fulfill the wants of residents who’ve been ready years for providers.
“Senator Rosino has been an excellent supporter and champion on this subject. He values Oklahoma households and needs to verify they’ve the providers they should thrive,” Galloway mentioned.
“This laws might make Oklahoma the mannequin for a lot of the nation in the right way to eradicate long-standing ready lists for folks with developmental disabilities.”
NOTE: Pat McGuigan’s contributed to this report.
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
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