Policy Matters: Voting yes on SQ 802 is the right decision

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Oklahomans have several important decisions to make in the upcoming statewide election, including which primary candidates to pick from and what health precautions to take if voting in-person on Tuesday.

One question, though, is an easy choice – voting yes on State Question 802.

In response to a decade of inaction by our elected officials, a record number of Oklahomans called for putting Medicaid expansion on the ballot so decisions about our state’s health care could be made by the people. SQ 802’s passage would bring much-needed health insurance to more than 200,000 low-income Oklahomans and improve our state’s fiscal health. We can see the advantages in three primary areas.

First, Medicaid expansion makes good fiscal sense. Oklahoma could begin to take advantage of the 9-to-1 Medicaid expansion match, which would annually bring more than $1 billion in federal funds back to the state. In fact, a new Families USA study showed that Medicaid expansion would generate $2.3 billion in increased economic activity from Oklahoma’s doctors, nurses and hospital staff, while creating 26,000 new jobs. The report shows economic activity resulting from expansion would generate $123 million in increased sales and income tax revenue to help balance state and local government budgets.

Second, full Medicaid expansion is simply good public health policy. Oklahoma is among the states with the highest number of uninsured residents, which wreaks havoc on health outcomes for families statewide. This also negatively impacts the ability to effectively provide public and private insurance. Both individuals and the state pay the hidden costs of uncompensated care for uninsured individuals through higher health insurance premiums for those who are insured.

Finally, it’s the right thing to do. Much is made about the “Oklahoma Standard” that emphasizes the caring nature of Oklahomans. Voting yes on SQ 802 would affirm that we can – and should – help provide health coverage to our neighbors who would otherwise go without. This group would include many of the low-wage essential workers who helped us get through the pandemic’s early days. States have leveraged Medicaid expansion to reduce health disparities experienced by people of color and other populations who otherwise cannot visit a doctor or fill a prescription. Oklahoma should be among them.

Lawmakers have had a decade to take action on this issue. So, now it’s our turn. On Tuesday, it’s time for Oklahomans to decide the future of health care in Oklahoma with a yes vote on SQ 802.

Ahniwake Rose is executive director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute.