By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. Supreme Court overturns Medicaid fee
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Supreme Court has overturned a state law intended to raise revenue for the state's Medicaid program.
The ruling posted on the court's website Tuesday said the measure violates the state Constitution. It comes a day after justices heard oral arguments in the case.
State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland asked the court to overturn the law. It set a 1 percent fee on claims paid by private health insurers and companies with self-insured health care plans.
Insurance Department attorney Michael Ridgeway argued that the bill failed to get a required three-fourths vote when it passed the House and Senate late in the legislative session.
Phone calls to the Insurance Department and the Attorney General's office which argued in support of the law were not immediately returned.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.