Section 5003 - Legislative declaration - PurposeA. The Legislature recognizes that the state is a major purchaser of health care services, and the increasing costs of such health care services are posing and will continue to pose a great financial burden on the state. It is the policy of the state to provide comprehensive health care as an employer to state employees and officials and their dependents and to those who are dependent on the state for necessary medical care. It is imperative that the state develop effective and efficient health care delivery systems and strategies for procuring health care services in order for the state to continue to purchase the most comprehensive health care possible.B. It is therefore incumbent upon the Legislature to establish the Oklahoma Health Care Authority whose purpose shall be to: 1. Purchase Medicaid benefits;2. Study all state-purchased and state-subsidized health care, alternative health care delivery systems and strategies for the procurement of health care services in order to maximize cost containment in these programs while ensuring access to quality health care; 3. Make recommendations aimed at minimizing the financial burden which health care poses for the state, its employees and its charges, while at the same time allowing the state to provide the most comprehensive health care possible; and4. Administer the state-sponsored health and dental benefits plans known as HealthChoice and life insurance plans in accordance with the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act and the State Employees Flexible Benefits Act. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall cause the transfer of all necessary assets, data, records, and personnel necessary for the administration of HealthChoice not later than the effective date of this act.Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 5003
Amended by Laws 2024, c. 123,s. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Added by Laws 1993, c. 332, § 1.