Newberry: Obama administration’s decision will force thousands of low-income Oklahomans off their health plans

Sen. Dan Newberry today said the Obama administration’s decision to deny the state’s request to extend funding for the Insure Oklahoma program, unless Oklahoma institutes the Obamacare exchanges, will force many thousands of Oklahoma’s neediest and most vulnerable off their health insurance plans.

Newberry said the administration’s denial of funding effectively holds the state hostage in its efforts to provide insurance access to low-income Oklahomans.
“This move is just the latest in a long line of decisions confirming that Obamacare will curtail consumer choice and mandate where and how citizens can receive medical treatment,” said Newberry, R-Tulsa. “Even if it deprives the poorest citizens of access to affordable healthcare, the administration is willing to dismantle successful state programs that don’t fit their one-size-fits-all vision for a nationalized healthcare system. This is an example of an arrogant and out-of-touch Washington.”

Insure Oklahoma provides health coverage for approximately 30,000 low-income Oklahomans. The denial of federal funding will effectively eliminate the program at the end of the year.

“Insure Oklahoma is not just a successful program, it is a program approved by popular vote and represents the will of the people,” Newberry said. “This illustrates how easy it has become under this administration for the liberties of Americans, afforded to them by our Constitution’s 10th Amendment, to be stripped away by this oppressive tyranny. It is also a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Oklahoma leaders are obligated to oppose this federal overreach, and should continue to do so.”