Oklahoma Archives

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: The Pandemic Shifts; The Politics, Not So Much

While federal and state officials continue to wrangle over coronavirus testing, the population testing positive is skewing younger. Meanwhile, the Trump administration wins a round in court over its requirements for hospitals to publicly reveal their prices, and the fight over the fate of the Affordable Care Act heats up once again. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews former Obama administration health aide Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who has written a new book comparing international health systems.

June 25, 2020

COVID Pandemic Jeopardizes Vote On Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion

On June 30, Oklahomans can vote on expanding the Medicaid program there. But supporters worry that fear of the coronavirus could diminish turnout or voters could be confused by Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent change of heart: He now supports Medicaid expansion but not the ballot initiative.

By Phil Galewitz

June 24, 2020

In Tornado Alley, Storms Are Even More Dangerous For People With Disabilities

As climate change bears down, a haphazard web of weather safeguards is a particular blow to the disabled. In Oklahoma, no state laws require homeowners or landlords to install storm shelters. If a community wants to open a storm shelter for the public, that's up to local officials, But there's no database that Oklahomans can consult showing where public or wheelchair-accessible shelters are located.

By Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

Feb. 20, 2020

Listen: Five Oklahoma Hospitals Collapsed – What Happened?

KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber joined StateImpact Oklahoma reporter Jackie Fortiér to discuss why a series of rural hospitals collapsed, leaving hundreds of residents without jobs and their communities without lifesaving emergency medical care.

Sept. 27, 2019

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Waiting For The Trump Health Plan

President Donald Trump keeps promising a new health plan, but so far it’s nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is proposing a plan to cancel billions of dollars in medical debt owed by patients. This week, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Rovner also interviews KHN’s Rachel Bluth about the latest “Bill of the Month” feature. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.

Sept. 5, 2019

Judge Cites Opioid ‘Menace,’ Awards Oklahoma $572M In Landmark Case

The state judge ruled that drugmaker Johnson & Johnson contributed to the opioid epidemic that has claimed the lives of 6,000 Oklahomans.

By Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma and Brian Mann, North Country Public Radio

Aug. 26, 2019

Pain Meds As Public Nuisance? Oklahoma Tests A Legal Strategy Against Opioid Maker

Oklahoma is seeking $17 billion in damages from Johnson & Johnson, the pharmaceutical giant. After a seven-week trial, a judge will decide if the opioid drugmaker is liable and if so, for how much.

By Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

July 17, 2019

Oklahoma’s ‘Precedent-Setting’ Suit Puts Opioid Drugmakers On Trial

As states struggle to respond to the national drug crisis, officials around the country are watching Oklahoma. The state's attorney general says opioid drugmakers helped ignite a health crisis that has killed thousands of residents.

By Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

May 28, 2019

‘Heartbeat Bills’ Give State Lawmakers Pause On Anti-Abortion Tactics

Ohio is the latest Republican-led state to pass a ban on abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. But Tennessee last week backed off on a similar bill, fearing costly legal battles. What now?

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio and Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

April 16, 2019

Trump Plan To Beat HIV Hits Rough Road In Rural America

Health officials and doctors treating patients with HIV welcome the funding push, but warn that the strategies that work in progressive cities don't necessarily translate to rural areas.

By Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

Feb. 21, 2019

As States Try To Rein In Drug Spending, Feds Slap Down One Bold Medicaid Move

Medicaid drug spending doubled in five years in Massachusetts. The state wanted to exclude expensive drugs that weren't proven to work better than existing alternatives from its Medicaid plan, but the federal government blocked the effort.

By Martha Bebinger, WBUR

Sept. 21, 2018

While Talk About Opioids Continues In D.C., Addiction Treatment Is In Peril In States

The Trump administration has talked about prioritizing the opioid crisis, but states have seen little in the way of new resources. And, in some states, getting into treatment is becoming even harder.

By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio and Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

March 5, 2018

HHS, States Move To Help Insurers Defray Costs Of Sickest Patients

In a letter to all governors, HHS Secretary Tom Price invited them to consider seeking federal help to set up reinsurance funds that would help cover losses that insurers have because of high numbers of sick patients.

By Steven Findlay

April 25, 2017

United’s Departure From Marketplaces Could Impact Consumers’ Costs, Access

Florida and Oklahoma counties are among the hardest hit by UnitedHealthcare's pullout from health law exchanges.

By Phil Galewitz

April 26, 2016

UnitedHealthcare To Exit All But ‘Handful’ Of Obamacare Markets In 2017

UnitedHealthcare said Tuesday it will leave most of the 34 states in which it offers health insurance under Obamacare, but Nevada and Virginia are two markets it will retain a presence.

By Phil Galewitz

April 19, 2016

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