Budget Briefing: Health Insurance Coverage in Oklahoma is Uneven Across Races, Ages

More than 690,000 People Without Health Insurance in Oklahoma – “A Hispanic Oklahoman is more than twice as likely to lack insurance as a white Oklahoman, the study shows. Well over a third of the state’s Hispanic population is uninsured. That number goes even higher – 61.3 percent – among the state’s foreign-born, noncitizen population, a demographic dominated by undocumented immigrants, who are specifically excluded from coverage under the Affordable Care Act.” Tulsa World

Indian Tribes, With More Clout and Money, Find an Ally in Obama – “Bill John Baker, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, told Obama his Oklahoma tribe was owed $50 million for its costs of administering federal health services … A week later, he received a letter from the White House pledging to follow up. A White House spokesman said the administration had been reaching out to many tribes on the same issue.” Los Angeles Times

Hospitals Prepare for Changes – “While the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act stands to create job growth in the health care industry, many hospitals may take a hit to the bottom line when it comes to payments from Medicare and Medicaid.” Tahlequah Daily Press

Okla. Jazz Hall Has Around $60K in Unpaid Bills – “After several reprieves from Tulsa County to get its finances order, the jazz hall has been given an ultimatum: Pay the roughly $60,000 in back assessments and utility bills it owes by the first week of October or face eviction.” Associated Press