A new federal designation for rural hospitals is growing in Oklahoma, offering a financial lifeline amid rising costs and lower volume. www.kgou.org/health/2026-...

Nearly six years ago, Oklahoma voters approved a state question to expand eligibility for Medicaid, also known as SoonerCare, to low-income adults. Now, state lawmakers want them to reconsider. www.kgou.org/health/2026-...

Oklahoma lawmakers advanced legislation Monday that would send votes on Medicaid expansion and judicial selection to the August election. Some legislators want the measures on the ballot in November instead, when higher voter turnout is expected.

Oklahoma senators passed two measures Tuesday that could pave the way for changes to voter-approved Medicaid expansion, but blocked efforts to put those changes on an August ballot.

Nearly 2,000 Oklahomans die from stroke-related complications annually. That burden is felt more in rural communities, but a telemedicine program from OU Health is helping connect stroke patients and specialists digitally.

Rural long-term care facilities are generating more than $1.8 billion in economic activity across Oklahoma, according to a new study covering their impact. www.kgou.org/health/2026-...

A policy that would prevent the state from forcing crisis pregnancy centers to offer or recommend abortions, and allow those centers to sue those who violate the bill's provisions, passed the Oklahoma House floor Monday.

This year, nearly 50,000 fewer Oklahomans selected an Affordable Care Act Marketplace plan compared to last year. Amid rising costs, they're seeking cheaper options, even if they are not subject to regulations.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department announced its plans to transition to a state-based Marketplace for Affordable Care Act coverage for 2028 open enrollment. Currently, Oklahoma relies on the federal government for its marketplace.

The Oklahoma legislature is back in session for 2026, with thousands of bills up for consideration. StateImpact previews the measures on the table about health, education, science and the environment.

Congrats to the 2026 SHERFs: Ethan Bakuli, @sarawernst.bsky.social, @celllyg.bsky.social, Anika Nayak, @adrianaperez.bsky.social & @jilliantaylor.bsky.social! They will receive training and mentoring for reporting at the intersection of science, health & the environment. casw.org/news/meet-th...

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt called for "adjustments" to Medicaid expansion during his State of the State address Monday. Health care leaders have expressed concerns, saying expansion is a worthy investment.

A recent executive order from Gov. Kevin Stitt is seeking to review federal welfare programs administered by the state and to decrease Oklahomans' reliance on them through employment. Advocates say the plan fails to address the real challenges Oklahomans are facing. www.kgou.org/politics-and...

Following the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, approximately 50,000 fewer Oklahomans signed up for ACA health insurance compared to last year. How have increases in ACA premiums impacted you? Tell us about it here: bit.ly/4pVEriX

Oklahoma is one of six states picked to experiment with using AI to review Medicare claims. The goal is to reduce spending on certain treatments. That has some patients and providers worried. StateImpact Oklahoma reports:

Oklahoma's application for a five-year, $50 billion rural health fund secured the state over $223 million for 2026. The state received one of the highest investments nationally.

@louisenorris.bsky.social, health insurance analyst at healthinsurance.org, spoke with @jilliantaylor.bsky.social at StateImpactOK @npr.org, regarding what the latest House health care bill may mean for individuals and families nationwide:

A vote from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority board to approve an emergency rule related to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent anti-abortion executive order failed in a Monday special meeting. www.kgou.org/health/2025-...

Oklahoma lawmakers hosted an interim study Tuesday on the impacts of federal cuts to Medicaid that were signed into law in July. Providers expressed concern they may have to reduce services to balance their budgets. www.kosu.org/health/2025-...

Oklahoma health care leaders estimate state hospitals will see billions in Medicaid reimbursement cuts as funding reductions made to the program through President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" set in.

We want to hear from parents and educators in rural Oklahoma concerned about the future of drama, music and visual arts in schools. www.readfrontier.org/stories/help...

NEW: Anti-abortion activists are launching their own telehealth company—basically a virtual crisis pregnancy center—with the goal of becoming a household name as big as Planned Parenthood. Read more at the newsletter: jessica.substack.com/p/telehealth...

The state of Oklahoma doesn't have a competitive bidding process for pregnancy centers, faith-based groups and nonprofits to get public money if they go through a grant-supervising entity like the Oklahoma Life Foundation. @readfrontier.bsky.social www.kosu.org/show/stateim...

Indigenous health experts and providers say despite their outreach, people can fall through the cracks for several reasons. @pubhealthwatch.bsky.social

A new group hopes to inform Oklahomans on the continued impacts of the state's near-total abortion ban. Using a combination of large events and intimate conversations, repro46 aims to start dialogue that has a "ripple effect." www.kosu.org/show/stateim...

The Trump administration is withholding tens of millions in family planning money from Planned Parenthood and other providers. But StateImpact Oklahoma confirmed the Oklahoma State Department of Health received an award of $1.96 million in Title X funding. www.kosu.org/health/2025-...

New Oklahoma Human Services rules are requiring certain child care programs to get nationally accredited by Sept. 1st or face a quality rating reduction tied to their reimbursements.

Oklahoma scientists, advocates rally for science funding and federal workers www.kgou.org/science-tech...

Oklahoma institutions respond to Trump administration cuts to NIH research funding.