The politicians at the state capitol talk a lot about the value of rural Oklahoma. Here in Elk City and across western Oklahoma, we know that value deeply because we live here, work here and raise our families here. What we know for certain is that it takes more than talk to keep rural communities thriving. It takes action.
As a hospital administrator, I see every day how access to health insurance affects the health of families in our community. When people have coverage, they can see a doctor earlier, manage chronic conditions and stay healthier. When they don’t, many delay care until a small health issue becomes a medical emergency.
In 2020, Oklahoma voters made an important decision when they approved a referendum to expand Medicaid and take our tax dollars back from Washington, D.C. to provide health coverage for working adults who had previously fallen into the coverage gap. More than 220,000 hardworking Oklahomans gained access to life-saving health insurance because of that vote.
State lawmakers are now debating proposals that could weaken or eliminate Medicaid expansion. That would put the progress we’ve made at risk.
For rural hospitals like ours, Medicaid expansion has helped reduce uncompensated care—the cost of treating patients who have no ability to pay. When fewer patients are uninsured, hospitals are better able to maintain services, keep staff in our communities and remain financially stable. At Great Plains Regional Medical Center, this has an annual impact of more than $5.5 million and a regional impact approaching $25 million.
That stability matters: across the country, rural hospitals face increasing financial pressure. When hospitals close, communities lose not just emergency care, but often one of their largest employers and economic anchors.
When more Oklahomans have health coverage, it keeps health care costs manageable for everyone and strengthens rural healthcare. Protecting Medicaid expansion isn’t just about health policy. It’s about protecting rural communities and ensuring families in western Oklahoma can access the care they need close to home.
Please contact your state lawmakers and ask them to keep Medicaid expansion like it is.
Corey Lively is CEO of Great Plains Regional Medical Center, the largest health care provider in western Oklahoma offering a full range of medical services, including the region’s most comprehensive obstetrics and women’s health departments, the only physician- staffed, 24-hour emergency department and the only 24hour general and orthopedic surgery centers.
