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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2010
Senator disappointed in the Insurance Commissioner;
statement from Tom Adelson
“The legal challenge by Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland
jeopardizes the health of thousands of Oklahomans and the financial
condition of dozens of hospitals and nursing homes. I am deeply
disappointed. Given her advocacy this past session in support of
a dedicated insurance fee and her efforts these past two years to
expand coverage for the uninsured, I am also surprised by her apparent
policy reversals.
“This past session, Commissioner Holland helped draft SB 1616,
providing a dedicated fee of up to 4 percent on all insurance claims
paid by the privately insured. The bill created a revolving fund
‘to provide access to health insurance to uninsured Oklahomans
and to maximize the ability of the state to secure all possible
federal funds, grants or matching funds.’
“Commissioner Holland’s conclusion that the challenged
legislation (HB 2437) is unconstitutional is premised upon the following
language change between SB 1616 as quoted above and the following
from HB 2437: ‘the revolving fund shall be used to fund the
state’s Medicaid program and make full use of any federal
matching funds available to the state.’
“It’s possible that Commissioner Holland believes that
the dedicated insurance fee’s emphasis on Insure Oklahoma
in SB 1616 represents a significant distinction. But more than 40
percent of participants in Insure Oklahoma enroll in the public
plan administered by the state’s Medicaid agency. In other
words, the legislation under both versions of the bill could be
utilized to subsidize insurance in the public plan. Commissioner
Holland’s statement that the dedicated insurance fee she supported
was not related to Medicaid is not accurate.
“I would like to believe Commissioner Holland’s legal
action and attending press release are sincere and not election
year strategizing from one who is exposed politically on the fundamental
policy she supports – a 4 percent assessment on insurance
claims (and some would argue a like increase on insurance premiums)
to pay for health coverage for low income Oklahomans. I am asking
that Commissioner Holland disclose her communication with the State
Chamber of Commerce and the insurance companies she regulates pertaining
to all matters relating to her legal challenge.
“The Oklahoma Legislature acted courageously to protect hundreds
of thousands of Oklahomans from disastrous cuts to the state’s
Medicaid program and to save dozens of Oklahoma hospitals and nursing
homes from possible closure. The legislation was not for the politically
fainthearted. But politics when it really matters rarely is.”
For more information, contact:
Sen. Adelson: (405) 521-5551
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