House Republicans Launch 'Healthy Oklahoma'
Speaking at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa on Monday, Speaker Lance Cargill and House Republican leaders (pictured at right) launched the second platform in their 2007 Year of Ideas Agenda.
“Oklahoma’s pioneer spirit remains strong after the first 100 years of our history. Now we should harness that spirit to create a healthier society in our state,” said Cargill (R-Harrah). “2007 should be the year of ideas. We have an opportunity this year, in our centennial year, to lay the groundwork for our state’s second century. And our healthcare system is a vital part of that future. Oklahoma is blessed with citizens who are hard working and who uphold traditional values. At the same time, we face challenges, and it’s time for solutions.”
The Healthy Oklahoma portion of the House GOP agenda will focus on creating a healthier society in Oklahoma. Cargill and House leaders will unveil the final portion of their agenda later this week.
Highlights of the four-plank Healthy Oklahoma platform:
New Healthcare Reforms: Oklahomans need affordable, portable healthcare options. Cargill said House Republicans will seek to continue to reform Oklahoma’s health care system to empower patients and to offer better choices. Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee), chair of the House Health Subcommittee, has authored House Bill 1928 to expand health savings accounts (HSAs) as an option to state employees. Health savings accounts are personal and portable accounts that allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars toward medical and long-term care expenses.“We must continue to look to market-based solutions for health care options,” said Steele. “Health savings accounts put consumers in charge of their health care decisions, and we think state employees should be allowed to have that choice. Health savings accounts will also reduce many of the problems we currently have in health care – such as overuse of medical services and rising costs. Other legislation in this area includes: House Bill 1818, authored by Rep. Scott Martin (R-Norman), establishes a new task force to study and make recommendations on using information technology to reduce health care costs, share health care data more efficiently and establish a regional health information organization. The task force would make recommendations. House Bill 1601, authored by Rep. Jeff Hickman (R-Dacoma), would make physical education and arts education available to all Oklahoma students. “We must ensure that our children learn physically active habits early on,” said Hickman. “If we can encourage them to be physically fit at a young age, they’ll be healthy into adulthood.” Hickman said the arts education portion of the bill would enhance children’s intellectual development.
Strengthening Traditional Family Values: House leaders said they would remain focused on support for Oklahoma’s traditional values. As they have in years past, House GOP lawmakers have introduced measures to strengthen marriage and to uphold Oklahoma’s strong pro-life stance. “We have achieved so much over the past two years, but we must continue to foster a culture of life in this state to protect innocent unborn children,” said Rep. Pam Peterson (R-Tulsa), who has been a firm right to life advocate. Legislation includes: House Bill 1317 by Rep. John Wright (R-Tulsa). HB 1317 would ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to perform abortions. The measure would make it unlawful for a state employee to perform an abortion or for state funds to be used to counsel for abortion. An exception is provided to save the life of the mother. House Bill 1652 by Rep. Pam Peterson. HB 1652 would close loopholes in existing law by establishing an objective standard for “medical emergency” abortions. “Unfortunately there are cases in which medical professionals may try to encourage an abortion on the basis of medical reasons when it’s not warranted,” said Peterson. “We must make sure that this occurs only in the case of legitimate medical emergencies.”
Senior citizen & retiree issues: As portions of Oklahoma’s population continue to age, House Republicans said they will look to offer protections to senior citizens, as well as ways to enhance quality of life. Legislation in this area includes House Bill 1294, authored by Speaker Cargill, to offer free park days for senior citizens. “This measure will provide our senior citizens with a reward after working hard and raising families,” he said. “And it will help boost healthy lifestyles, as well.”
Incentives for green space and recreational areas: Similarly, Cargill has introduced measures that take advantage of Oklahoma’s beautiful natural terrain and moderate weather to set aside more green space in the state for the enjoyment of citizens. House Bill 2108 by Cargill would help develop quality recreation areas in the state through land trusts."We’ve made progress to improve Oklahoma’s quality of life over the past several years, but we can do more,” said Cargill. “Making Oklahoma a more livable and attractive location boosts the economy and it boosts the health of our citizens.”
“Oklahoma’s pioneer spirit remains strong after the first 100 years of our history. Now we should harness that spirit to create a healthier society in our state,” said Cargill (R-Harrah). “2007 should be the year of ideas. We have an opportunity this year, in our centennial year, to lay the groundwork for our state’s second century. And our healthcare system is a vital part of that future. Oklahoma is blessed with citizens who are hard working and who uphold traditional values. At the same time, we face challenges, and it’s time for solutions.”
The Healthy Oklahoma portion of the House GOP agenda will focus on creating a healthier society in Oklahoma. Cargill and House leaders will unveil the final portion of their agenda later this week.
Highlights of the four-plank Healthy Oklahoma platform:
New Healthcare Reforms: Oklahomans need affordable, portable healthcare options. Cargill said House Republicans will seek to continue to reform Oklahoma’s health care system to empower patients and to offer better choices. Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee), chair of the House Health Subcommittee, has authored House Bill 1928 to expand health savings accounts (HSAs) as an option to state employees. Health savings accounts are personal and portable accounts that allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars toward medical and long-term care expenses.“We must continue to look to market-based solutions for health care options,” said Steele. “Health savings accounts put consumers in charge of their health care decisions, and we think state employees should be allowed to have that choice. Health savings accounts will also reduce many of the problems we currently have in health care – such as overuse of medical services and rising costs. Other legislation in this area includes: House Bill 1818, authored by Rep. Scott Martin (R-Norman), establishes a new task force to study and make recommendations on using information technology to reduce health care costs, share health care data more efficiently and establish a regional health information organization. The task force would make recommendations. House Bill 1601, authored by Rep. Jeff Hickman (R-Dacoma), would make physical education and arts education available to all Oklahoma students. “We must ensure that our children learn physically active habits early on,” said Hickman. “If we can encourage them to be physically fit at a young age, they’ll be healthy into adulthood.” Hickman said the arts education portion of the bill would enhance children’s intellectual development.
Strengthening Traditional Family Values: House leaders said they would remain focused on support for Oklahoma’s traditional values. As they have in years past, House GOP lawmakers have introduced measures to strengthen marriage and to uphold Oklahoma’s strong pro-life stance. “We have achieved so much over the past two years, but we must continue to foster a culture of life in this state to protect innocent unborn children,” said Rep. Pam Peterson (R-Tulsa), who has been a firm right to life advocate. Legislation includes: House Bill 1317 by Rep. John Wright (R-Tulsa). HB 1317 would ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to perform abortions. The measure would make it unlawful for a state employee to perform an abortion or for state funds to be used to counsel for abortion. An exception is provided to save the life of the mother. House Bill 1652 by Rep. Pam Peterson. HB 1652 would close loopholes in existing law by establishing an objective standard for “medical emergency” abortions. “Unfortunately there are cases in which medical professionals may try to encourage an abortion on the basis of medical reasons when it’s not warranted,” said Peterson. “We must make sure that this occurs only in the case of legitimate medical emergencies.”
Senior citizen & retiree issues: As portions of Oklahoma’s population continue to age, House Republicans said they will look to offer protections to senior citizens, as well as ways to enhance quality of life. Legislation in this area includes House Bill 1294, authored by Speaker Cargill, to offer free park days for senior citizens. “This measure will provide our senior citizens with a reward after working hard and raising families,” he said. “And it will help boost healthy lifestyles, as well.”
Incentives for green space and recreational areas: Similarly, Cargill has introduced measures that take advantage of Oklahoma’s beautiful natural terrain and moderate weather to set aside more green space in the state for the enjoyment of citizens. House Bill 2108 by Cargill would help develop quality recreation areas in the state through land trusts."We’ve made progress to improve Oklahoma’s quality of life over the past several years, but we can do more,” said Cargill. “Making Oklahoma a more livable and attractive location boosts the economy and it boosts the health of our citizens.”
Labels: 2007 Legislature, House GOP Agenda, Lance Cargill
posted by Mike McCarville @ 2:21 PM
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