OKLAHOMANS BELIEVE HEALTH CARE REFORM MUST INCLUDE HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

OKLAHOMA CITY – Preliminary results of an ongoing survey show that Oklahomans overwhelmingly believe insurance companies place profits over people and health care reform must include health insurance reform.

With 54% of the respondents identifying themselves as Republicans and 39% as Democrats, concerns about health insurance industry abuses clearly cross party lines.

It is apparent, the results of the survey sends a strong message to the insurance industry in Oklahoma:

84% of the survey respondents say government should play a "strong role" in guaranteeing health care access or provide oversight of the insurance industry.

86% report that health care reform should include health insurance reform.

59% responded that the state Insurance Department should have regulatory control over health insurance rates similar to the Corporation Commission's oversight of utilities.

23% have been denied coverage for a medical procedure, treatment or medicine.

33% report seeking employment for health insurance.

25% are underinsured.

Responses to the survey were tallied from 101 surveys completed by participants at the Oklahomans for Health Care Reform (OHCR) Town-Hall meetings held in Noble and Lawton during July and August. OHCR is scheduled to hold several more town-hall meetings and will add survey results as they are compiled.

"The results underscore the level of fear that Oklahomans have about their health care. Most are concerned about whether they will continue to be insured and whether their insurance company will drop them if they get sick," said Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Howe, who has been active in bringing greater accountability to the health insurance industry in Oklahoma.

Oklahomans for Health Care Reform is a nonpartisan alliance of consumers, small businesses, patient advocates, medical professionals and citizens who are sick and tired of seeing health insurance companies deny care and kill life-saving legislation. Oklahomans for Health Care Reform seeks to draw attention to the need for increased oversight of this under-regulated industry and greater fairness in how insurers treat policyholders.

Rather than wait for Congress to act on this critical issue, Oklahomans for Health Care Reform has focused on state-specific solutions to healthcare problems affecting Oklahomans.

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WHO REMOVED WIDELY SUPPORTED CONSUMER PROTECTION?
A few legislators kill Corn Amendment without input or accountability

OKLAHOMA CITY - A handful of state legislators have gone against a majority of senators, removing the widely supported Corn Amendment without public input or answering for their actions.The amendment would have prohibited insurance companies from financially rewarding employees who deny claims.

"It's a shame that this didn't pass. My colleagues missed an opportunity to protect Oklahomans from the obviously immoral practice of paying to deny care for the sick and dying. Forty‐four senators voted to ban this practice, but it was stripped under cover of darkness. The Legislature needs to better scrutinize these types of practices," said Sen. Kenneth Corn, author of the amendment. "Those who did this need to come forward and explain themselves."

Corn amended House Bill 1055, which has reached the governor's desk and deals with insurance company payments to doctors. The amendment received bipartisan support.

The amendment was headed to conference committee but was removed at the last minute. It's unclear who's responsible. The bill was on its way to defeat, but prominent Republican legislators stepped in to ensure its passage.

"Without public input, a handful of legislators have refused to stand up to one of the insurance industry's most repugnant practices. What are they afraid of? Why is it necessary for insurance companies to reward employees for letting paying policyholders die?" said Dr. Rene McNall‐Knapp, a pediatric neuro‐oncologist and advocate for greater health insurance industry transparency, accountability and responsibility.