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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVoters in deep-red Oklahoma weigh Medicaid expansion tomorrow as virus cases climb
Voters in deep-red Oklahoma this week could order Medicaid expansion for at least 200,000 poor adults, defying state and Trump administration officials fighting to limit the Obamacare program.
If voters approve a ballot measure on Tuesday, Oklahoma would become the first state to broadly expand government-backed health insurance to many of its poorest residents since the beginning of a pandemic that has stripped many people of coverage. At the same time, that could scuttle the Trump administrations efforts to make Oklahoma a test case for its plan to transform the entitlement program into a block grant.
While ballot measures on Medicaid expansion in recent years have succeeded in other Republican strongholds like Idaho, Nebraska and Utah, the Oklahoma vote comes at a volatile time. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt is warning the program would be unaffordable while the state suddenly confronts an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall. Voter turnout is also in question as infection rates surge and the state braces for the possibility of cases stemming from President Donald Trumps recent rally in Tulsa. At least eight Trump staffers working the event last weekend have tested positive for the virus.
The ballot measure would extend coverage to poor adults without children earning just about $17,000 per year. Many of them have limited affordable coverage options, since they earn too little to qualify for subsidies to purchase health insurance on the Obamacare marketplace. Supporters believe the rise in urgent medical needs during the pandemic will help convince voters to approve it, though theres limited reliable polling before the vote.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/29/oklahoma-first-expand-medicaid-during-pandemic-341841
soothsayer
(38,601 posts)It would allow those earning above the current standard to join the state medicare program.
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)RandySF
(59,083 posts)SoonerPride
(12,286 posts)I am a health insurance broker and deal with this every day for my job.
If you fall below the federal poverty line you don't get help on the ACA because you are supposed to get Medicaid, which in Oklahoma is dubbed SoonerCare.
But our stupid former governor FALLIN, (failin) opted not to accept Medicaid expansion "to stick to to Obama," when all it did was harm the poorest people in this state.
Question 802 should pass tomorrow.
subterranean
(3,427 posts)In that case, if you make less than 138% of the Federal poverty level, you get nothing, unless you meet your state's requirements for Medicaid eligibility (which in red states is very restrictive).
Wounded Bear
(58,685 posts)dalton99a
(81,565 posts)rural constituents
-Laelth
SoonerPride
(12,286 posts)So it adversely affected the poorest citizens and most rural communities.
It was cruel and spiteful.
IOW typically republican.
Midnight Writer
(21,780 posts)Behind the Aegis
(53,973 posts)For the first time, my husband and I voted by absentee ballots. I hand delivered it to the post office because our town has the bizarre procedure of collecting mail, sending it to Tulsa, then sending it back to our town.
So, by handing it directly in the PO, it never leaves our town. I did this five days ago. Fingers crossed.
Yavin4
(35,445 posts)Not high profile progressive candidates and political campaigns.