Oklahoma governor battles with members of own party over Medicaid privatization plan

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Lawmakers proceed to battle with the Governor over the way to construction Medicaid growth. This time, the struggle is inside the Republican occasion.

Final week, the Oklahoma Home of Representatives handed a invoice that goes towards the Governor’s plan for privatized Medicaid care.

The chief exec. bashed the invoice, however now Republicans within the Home are pushing again.

“That was uncalled for and I’ve no alternative however to reply,” mentioned Consultant Josh West.

The Republican from Grove is speaking about his statements on social media in response to a press release put out by the governor shortly after the State Home handed Senate Invoice 131.

“It’s disappointing that at the hours of darkness, 57 Home Republicans voted to develop authorities and spend $1.2 billion of taxpayer cash over 5 years on a one-way ticket to Joe Biden’s socialized well being care plan with a purpose to please the Oklahoma Hospital Affiliation. Oklahoma ranks forty ninth within the nation in well being outcomes and our constituents deserve higher. Oklahomans employed me to carry a contemporary set of eyes to all areas of presidency, which is why I consider SoonerSelect is the best path ahead for our state and why I’ll proceed to advocate for this wanted change.”

Gov. Kevin Stitt

“It’s a blatant lie. There was nothing about that, that was true,” mentioned West.

West and different Republican lawmakers within the Home say the plan they handed is similar to the one proposed final yr as Sooner Care 2.0.

Stitt praised that plan when he appeared with President Trump in Jan. 2023.

“For him to say now that that plan is socialized, attempting to demonize it… that’s false,” mentioned West.

Governor Stitt did reply at present.

“I’ve an open door coverage for everybody within the Home and the Senate. That specific individual has not come speak to me. However Senate Invoice 131 shouldn’t be Sooner Care 2.0. Managed care is the best technique to do it. 42 different states do it this manner,” mentioned Stitt.

However West says he needed to take a stand to verify his voters know his stance even when there are penalties from the Governor.

“Typically I believe he doesn’t notice that there are three branches of presidency and we’re all equal. I’m not his worker,” mentioned West. “I believe its extra necessary to be clear and to inform the reality always whether or not it prices me an election, whether or not the Governor vetoes my payments, I don’t care.”

SB131 was amended within the Home. It now goes to the Senate to just accept these adjustments after which would go to the Governor’s desk.

He would seemingly veto it and transfer forward along with his privatized plan. It might be as much as State Senate to start out an override of the veto.

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