Citing a $104 million budget shortfall, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority board has voted to increase copayments for Medicaid participants.
Leaders at the organization, which administers Oklahoma's Medicaid program, cited decreases in federal funding and a drop in tobacco tax revenue for the shortfall. The panel approved several rule changes Thursday, including a plan that increases most Medicaid copayments from $3 to $4.
Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt spoke against the increases, saying most Medicaid participants are on fixed incomes. Blatt also said he was frustrated with the budget cuts because Oklahoma could have received millions in federal funding had the state expanded its Medicaid program under the federal health care law.
The changes take effect Tuesday or immediately upon Gov. Mary Fallin's signature.
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