Health Care Services Bill Goes To Henry

Legislation encouraging charitable and faith-based groups to take a stronger role in providing health care services to Oklahoma's poor now awaits Governor Henry's signature, the bill's author said today.

House Bill 3143 creates the Compassionate Care Task Force. The group's mission will be to encourage voluntary and faith-based provision of free health services.

"State government must actively support the efforts of charitable health providers in every way possible," said Rep.Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. "Faith-based groups have a long and successful track record when it comes to providing for the poor, including health care services. We need to remove any roadblocks that hinder their efforts to serve and work in a collaborative way to address the needs of thousands of Oklahomans who lack adequate health insurance and medical care."

Cargill noted the legislation is similar to a law he authored last year allowing faith-based groups the opportunity to provide prison rehabilitation services.

The idea is also a result of Cargill's 100 Ideas initiative, which solicited ideas from the citizens of Oklahoma.

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