Oklahoma 2020 Book of Reports

2020 Oklahoma Nurses Association
Nurse is protected under Oklahoma statutes, just as Veterinarians are not called "physicians" in our
statutes.
Registered nurses, even with their many qualifications, are not allowed to treat animals in veterinary
settings, nor are vet techs, allowed to treat humans in medical settings. Despite these facts, this
bill made it out of the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee, with strong support from the
agricultural community and veterinarians. Oklahoma Nurses strongly opposed this bill once it
reached the floor of the Senate. This bill died on the Senate floor on the last day of bill deadline
for passage in the House of Origin, because the author was unable to obtain sufficient votes for
a hearing. There have been unsuccessful attempts to pass this bill in multiple other states, but we
may see this resurface again in the future.
SB801 – Nurse Anesthetist Bill by Senator Rosino and Representative McEntire: Provides that
nurse anesthetists may practice in collaboration with physicians. The Oklahoma Association of
Nurse Anesthetists worked diligently and with great care to negotiate language with key physician
organizations in order to develop agreed-upon language that would unite rather than divide
constituents of legislative leaders. Their bill passed both houses unanimously and serves as a model
for the manner in which health care professionals can successfully approach potential changes to
their practice acts. Signed by Gov. Stitt on May 1, 2020, this measure went into effect upon signing.
HB2587 – The Non-Discrimination in Healthcare Coverage Act by Representative Roberts and
Senator Daniels: Provides protections and certain rights to people with chronic illnesses, disabilities,
and advanced age, that may place them at higher risk. It prohibits reliance upon discriminatory
measures in the development of healthcare recommendations. It requires that state agencies
must consult with organizations representing older adults and the disabled before implementing
changes that impact them. The legislation further requires submission of an annual report to the
Legislature, which will also be posted on the state Medicaid website, outlining beneficiaries' access
to services, with emphasis on services for those with chronic illness, the disabled, and the elderly.
Signed by Gov. Stitt on May 21, 2020, this measure goes into effect on November 1, 2020.
STATE BUDGET AND IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE
The State Board of Equalization initially certified a shortfall of $85.5 million for FY21 over the
previous year, as the energy sector had already begun to dwindle, and other income to the
general revenue fund appeared to be dragging. Despite the slow economic picture, the session
began hopefully, until the COVID-19 Pandemic paralyzed the country and energy prices began
to plummet to record lows. This spring, the shortfall ballooned to $1.4 billion, as certified by the
State Board of Equalization. The House and Senate mobilized to mitigate the loss by reducing
the depth of potential cuts to state agencies, particularly critical care services and health care, for
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. The use of one-time monies from the Rainy Day Fund and
Revenue Stabilization Fund made an enormous difference this year. As the Pandemic continues
its unmitigated spread, the state may face much deeper cuts impacting a wide array of needed
services in the 58th Legislative Session.
SB 1922 – The General Revenue Bill by Senator Thompson and Wallace: Provides for FY21
appropriations to state agencies, including health agencies. While this measure protects the
Oklahoma Health Care Authority by maintaining it at last year's appropriation level, some other
agencies are cut more deeply, since there was $1.4 billion less in revenue compared to the FY21
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