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As the U.S. Senate moves toward a critical vote on a budget reconciliation bill, healthcare leaders across Oklahoma are raising urgent concerns.
The proposed cuts to Medicaid and the state’s directed payment program could severely damage hospital operations, healthcare services, and employment statewide.
Bill Could Strip Billions from Oklahoma’s Healthcare System
The proposed funding reductions are projected to cause an $8 billion shortfall over the next 10 years, according to the Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA). Such deep cuts would likely result in:
- Hospital closures in both rural and urban areas
- Significant job losses in the healthcare sector
- Diminished access to essential medical services
- Strained emergency departments and long wait times for patients
Healthcare Leaders Sound the Alarm
The following prominent healthcare executives will speak at the event:
- Rich Rasmussen, President & CEO, Oklahoma Hospital Association
- Bennett Geister, President, Oklahoma City Communities, Mercy
- Denise Webber, President & CEO, Stillwater Medical
- Jay Johnson, President & CEO, DRH Health, Duncan
- Trent Bourland, Vice President of Rural Development, SSM Health Oklahoma
These leaders will also be available for exclusive on-camera interviews starting at 1:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City. Media outlets are encouraged to schedule interviews in advance.
Oklahoma’s hospital leaders are calling for swift legislative action to protect Medicaid funding and preserve healthcare access.
Without intervention, the proposed cuts could destabilize the state’s healthcare infrastructure, threatening patient care and critical services—especially in rural communities that rely heavily on public health funding.