As Oklahoma works to address the problem of thousands of old untested rape kits, new laws and a lack of manpower have created a backlog of newer untested kits for much of the state.
With no statewide mask mandate, mayors, city councils and county governments were left to determine which safety measures were put in place and deal with the political consequences.
Displeased by hospitals’ support for Medicaid expansion, some Republicans believe increased fees should start before available federal funds are used up.
Gov. Kevin Stitt this year has signed more anti-abortion bills into law in a single session than a governor has in at least the last five years.
The company with exclusive contract to oversee the state’s Medicaid program for kids in state custody said it plans to cut the use of in-patient treatment by offering more preventative care, but won’t release details.
Some lawmakers said they weren’t willing to use the budget as a lever to stop managed care.
Nearly 40% of Oklahoma adults are fully vaccinated, and 50.5% of adults have received at least one dose.
Deaths in the state peaked in January and quickly fell off once COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out en masse. Now that the most vulnerable are vaccinated, the burden for herd immunity falls on younger Oklahomans.