Fallin Responds To McCall’s Criticism Over Medicaid Provider Cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2017

Governor Mary Fallin Response to House Speaker’s Statement on Recent Medicaid Provider Cuts

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today responded to House Speaker Charles McCall’s statement that Medicaid provider cuts approved last week by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority would have been unnecessary if she had signed the budget measure passed by lawmakers during the recent special session:

“The budget bill that I vetoed was a short-time fix to a long-term problem. When we return to regular session next year to begin work on the 2019 fiscal year budget, we will be facing a budget gap of as much as $600 million and the reality that provider rates would be cut again. I believe we missed an opportunity to address our long-term structural budget problems in special session by continuing to kick the can down the road and failing to develop a predictable solution to fix our budget and fund our core services. We didn’t get our job done. Unfortunately, it took my veto pen to bring the proper focus and attention to this matter. I am committed to addressing the health care needs of Oklahoma as I always have, and I look forward to working further with legislators to find solutions.”

###