Democrats countered that the loss of $200 million in federal funding and the higher rates of uncompensated care are likely to close some hospitals, and questioned why Cox’s bill was the first addressing the state’s budget situation to reach the House floor.

They also wanted to know why the Republican-controlled state government had declined a Medicaid expansion offered by the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” a provision that was intended to address such situations.

“I am actually working with some folks to design something,” Cox said.

Cox is among a handful of Republicans who have publicly advocated that Oklahoma adopt a program similar to Arkansas’, in which expanded Medicaid funding is used to privately insure low-income individuals.

Democrats Eric Proctor of Tulsa and Mike Brown of Tahlequah questioned the morality of cutting Medicaid without addressing business incentives.

“The choice is not really about whether we help (one person) or someone else,” Proctor said. “It’s about whether we help CapitolOne or some other corporation or the poorest people in the state.”

The bill passed 65-34, with four Republicans joining all 30 Democrats in opposition. Two members did not vote.

Also Wednesday, the House approved Senate Bill 1570, transferring the Will Rogers Memorial to the Oklahoma Historical Society. The measure passed 85-9, and returned to the Senate.

Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365 randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.