Sen. John Haste Leads Interim Studies on Physician Shortage, Strong Families Tax Credit

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. John Haste R-Broken Arrow, recently hosted interim studies examining Oklahoma’s physician shortages and the Strong Families Tax Credit. Together, the studies highlight urgent challenges facing Oklahoma families and communities, as well as targeted solutions to improve access to care and economic stability statewide.

Haste on Thursday held an interim study examining graduate medical education (GME) in relation to the national and statewide physician shortage, which has serious implications for Oklahoma families and communities.

Oklahoma faces a significant physician shortage, with especially high demand for primary care and specialty providers. Wait times for appointments now stretch into weeks or even months in both urban and rural areas across the state. As the population ages and the need for care grows, residency training has not kept pace, even though medical school enrollment continues to rise.

“Oklahoma ranks 50th in physicians per capita, and our families are waiting far too long for critical care,” Haste said. “We must strengthen our workforce pipeline, expand the number of residency positions and ensure we retain the doctors we train.”

Presenters noted the need to increase the number of residency slots rather than simply shifting positions around. They also recommended removing barriers that prevent low-income students from entering medical school and improving coordination between urban and rural training sites.

Retention was another key focus of the study. Completing residency in Oklahoma greatly increases the likelihood a physician will practice here. Only about half of residents stay, despite Oklahoma ranking among the top 10 states for retention. Haste emphasized physicians need a reason to stay here. Students need job opportunities and stability to remain in Oklahoma, especially in rural communities.

On Monday, Haste and Rep. Nicole Miller R-Edmond, hosted a joint interim study to explore how a Strong Families Tax Credit could strengthen family stability, improve educational outcomes and support nonprofit organizations working directly with Oklahomans.

Presenters emphasized that support for families must begin early. Research shows that a child’s early development directly impacts whether they’re ready for kindergarten and their academic performance later in life. Programs like Imagination Library demonstrate how early investment can help children thrive from the start.

“Strengthening families is central to the welfare of our state,” Haste said. “This study shows that targeted tax incentives, paired with proven community based programs, can help parents become more engaged, improve child well being and build stronger futures for Oklahoma families.”

A major focus of the study was the success of family strengthening initiatives. Former NFL coach Tony Dungy presented his organization, All Pro Dad, a program through the Family First initiative created by Florida’s Department of Children and Families. The program includes 681 school chapters nationwide and provides monthly “breakfast with dad” programs, in addition to connection building activities. Strong families shape strong communities. When home life is stable, students succeed in school, enter the workforce with confidence, and are more likely to help others in need.

Representatives highlighted that father involvement is critical to a child’s development. One in five children experiences fatherlessness, which is linked to behavioral challenges, poor academics and the increased need for social service support. Schools participating in the program report better attendance and improved literacy performance among kids.

Texas has also implemented Strong Families Tax Credits, giving businesses a dollar for dollar tax write off for donations to qualified nonprofits. Florida’s initiative has grown to support 36 nonprofits through a system that limits administrative costs and requires reporting on measurable outcomes.

Texas state Senator Angela Paxton spoke about Texas’ pilot program for the Strengthening Families Tax Credit, which is capped at $5 million statewide, with up to $1 million per business, focusing on father engagement, case management, and nonprofit accountability.

Haste said the study was informative and provided examples of new tax credits that could be implemented in Oklahoma. However, he stressed that this is just the first step in an exploratory process to determine what, if any, program would be beneficial to Oklahoma families.