Wilson Moves To Protect Battered Women

Senator Jim Wilson said today he will introduce legislation in the 2010 legislative session to prohibit health insurance companies from classifying domestic violence as a pre-existing condition.

Wilson, D-Tahlequah, began working on the measure after recent reports stating Oklahoma was one of only eight states that allowed insurance companies to deny claims based on the pre-existing condition of domestic violence.

“These women have already been victimized by their abuser—but here in Oklahoma they can be victimized again by their own insurance company,” Wilson said. “Maybe under current law it is legal for companies to do this, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. My legislation would close this loophole.”

Under Wilson’s legislation, no health benefit plan would be able to deny coverage or exclude any person from any health benefit plan on the basis of an individual’s status as a victim of domestic abuse.

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Wilson Touts Patient's Bill Of Rights

A conversation about insurance reform and affordable healthcare in Oklahoma will continue with the approval of a patient's bill of rights amendment authored by State Senator Jim Wilson, he said today.

The amendment, which will require insurance companies to pay for health care procedures deemed medically necessary by a physician, was attached to House Bill 2531 and now moves to the House of Representatives for an up-or-down vote.

"The debate about healthcare just reached a new level today with the passage of this amendment," Wilson, (D-Tahlequah) said. "Oklahomans fundamentally understand that the current health care system is broken, leaving far too many Oklahomans without healthcare and imprisoned by the irresponsible and negligent decisions of insurance company executives trying to grow their bottom line on the backs of the sickest and most vulnerable among us. We've given those Oklahomans a voice today and we intend to keep this momentum alive."

Wilson explained while passage of the amendment today ensured an-up-or-down in the Republican controlled House, it could be sent to a conference committee where he fears it could meet its ultimate death.

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Democrats Express Frustration With GOP House

Democrats in the Legislature today expressed their frustrations over how some of their bills have been handled in the Republican-cotrolled House.

Democrats said that bills to require insurers to provide a variety of medical coverage were killed in House committees and not allowed to be heard on the House floor.

They claim GOP House leaders are beholden to insurance companies and not the people they serve.

Senator Andrew Rice of Oklahoma City says a bill to require insurance companies to pay the routine health care costs of patients who take part in clinical trials is essentially dead.

Senator Jim Wilson of Tahlequah says his Patient's Bill of Rights would have required insurers to pay for any medically necessary procedure. It is also dead.

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Williamson Says Bill Would Force Abortion Payments

Tulsa Senator Jim Williamson says a Democrat-authored insurance mandate bill would force insurance companies to pay for abortions, gutting a key reform that was adopted as part of Williamson's landmark 2007 pro-life law.

Williamson today called on pro-life legislators in both parties to oppose a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2114, which failed last week to garner the 25 votes needed for passage. Democrat leaders in the Senate have said they plan to bring the bill up for reconsideration this week. Senator Jim Wilson of Tahlequah authored the bill.

“At the time SB 2114 was first presented last week I noted the incredible potential for it to increase insurance premiums. However, the more I thought about the potential consequences of this legislation, I realized the bill also guts last year’s reform that protects pro-life health insurance policyholders from being forced to subsidize abortions through their insurance premiums,” stated Williamson, R-Tulsa.

“I strongly encourage all pro-life legislators – Democrats and Republicans – to oppose the reconsideration of this misguided legislation,” he said.

The state’s leading pro-life organization – Tulsa-based Oklahomans for Life – fully analyzed the bill and agrees with Williamson’s interpretation of the bill’s effect. Oklahomans for Life has announced its opposition Senate Bill 2114, Williamson noted.

In 2007 the Legislature overwhelmingly adopted Senate Bill 139 by Williamson, which became law without Gov. Brad Henry’s signature. A key provision of the bill required a separate, optional rider for abortion coverage in health insurance policies, ensuring that pro-life policyholders are not forced to subsidize abortions through higher premiums.

Senate Bill 2114, Williamson said, guts the 2007 pro-life reform. SB 2114 would require insurance companies to pay for any medical procedure recommended as “medically necessary” by any “health care professional.”

“Under SB 2114’s vague provisions, a ‘health care professional’ like a nurse or a psychologist could claim an abortion is ‘medically necessary’ and an insurance company would be forced to cover it. This is unconscionable,” Williamson said.

Wilson responded, “We'd be delighted to provide a definition of medical necessity to gain the support of Senator Williamson. And now that I am aware of Senator Williamson’s concerns, I would be happy to allow him to offer a provision that would make an exception for abortion if he truly wants to help us get this bill signed into law. Although, I am certain such a provision won’t be necessary since a measure he authored last year was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry preventing any Oklahoma health insurance policy from paying for an abortion."

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