Lawmaker Seeks to Provide Coverage for Uninsured Veterans

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 3, 2010) This session a lawmaker has introduced legislation to cover uninsured Oklahoma veterans who fall through the cracks of eligibility for federal programs.

House Bill 2338 by Representative Dennis Bailey, D-Broken Bow, will provide medical coverage to our military men and women who cannot afford private insurance but are considered not poor enough or fully disabled to qualify for Veterans Affairs coverage.

“Every November we set aside a day to honor those who have made sacrifices for state and country”, said Rep. Bailey. “Given this recognition, it is troubling that many of our veterans are without the health care they need.”

“I hope to open the doors to medical care for our uninsured veterans by having the state’s Insure Oklahoma program expand access to care for those denied at the federal level.”

HB 2338 amends the Oklahoma Medicaid Program Reform Act of 2003 by requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to add veterans who are not on active duty and who have not been dishonorably discharged from service to the state premium assistance program.  Eligible veterans must be a resident of the state, be between 19 and 64 years of age, and be uninsured for at least 6 months.  Furthermore, the legislation provides that the veterans cannot be eligible for medical assistance through the state Medicaid program and are not eligible for health care benefits through the federal Veterans Health Administration. Lastly, the bill requires the veterans to meet certain income eligibility tests, which combine both the federal Veterans Health Administration means test income threshold and the federal poverty level.

This measure mirrors the Veterans Care program in Illinois, which serves veterans who have limited incomes.

If passed into law, uninsured veterans will pay a monthly premium that will not exceed 4% of their annual income. They will have access to medical office visits, emergency care, inpatient and outpatient hospital benefits, pharmacy, X-rays and maternity care.

“It is easy to take for granted the very people who most deserve our gratitude. I know I have the support of my fellow Democrats on this measure, and I hope to receive support from my colleagues across the aisle.  We should honor the sacrifices made by our veterans who served our state with distinction, but were denied health care upon their discharge.”  

House Bill 2338 awaits a hearing in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health and Social Services.

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