GOP leaders say support growing to ‘rebalance’ Medicaid groups

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Facing potential cuts of 25 percent to Medicaid providers that experts say could devastate Oklahoma’s health care system, Republican legislative leaders say support is growing for a plan to "rebalance" the state’s Medicaid population to trigger an infusion of federal funding.

House Speaker Jeff Hickman and Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman both said Thursday there is support in their caucus for the proposal that was unveiled last week by the head of the state’s Medicaid agency. But both say there is no agreement on how to come up with the estimated $100 million needed for the plan amid a $1.3 billion hole in next year’s budget.

A group representing Oklahoma’s hospitals and nursing homes is urging lawmakers to consider a $1.50-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes to fund the plan.