Senate Democratic Leaders comment on proposals to cut access to health care in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt and Assistant Leader Carri Hicks issued the following statements after the supermajority in the Senate voted for two proposed state questions clearing the way for the Legislature to eliminate health care coverage for thousands of hardworking Oklahomans. The proposed constitutional amendments would put health care expansion in statute, meaning lawmakers could undo the 2020 vote of the people.
 

“Why don’t Republican leaders trust voters? They are pushing bills that rig the rules to send two state questions to the ballot that would reverse the voters’ will. Oklahomans have already spoken – and we trust them. They are also intentionally manipulating when this will be on the ballot with low voter turnout and to confuse and discourage voters.” – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. 

“This is a blatant power grab by the supermajority to override the will of the people. Oklahomans voted to enshrine SoonerCare expansion into our Constitution through State Question 802 so politicians couldn’t take it away, and now they’re trying to do exactly that. Rolling back these protections puts healthcare at risk for thousands of families and threatens already fragile rural hospitals across our state. This isn’t just bad policy – it’s a direct attack on voter-approved protections and access to care for our communities.” – Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.

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For more information, contact:   
Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov
Sen. Carri Hicks at 405-521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov