OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Health Care Authority says it needs at least $164 million in extra state funds to keep up the state's Medicaid program.
Leaders of the state's Medicaid agency say it needs the money to replace lost federal funding and address a 4 percent expected growth in the program. There's a $61 million hole because it received one-time carryover money from the state Legislature.
The organization plans to request $275 million in additional state dollars for the next fiscal year. The Oklahoman reports it already receives $953 million in base funding. The agency hopes to increase the rate it pays to physicians and other medical professionals.