FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2011

To view today's press conference in its entirety, click here.

To download a picture of the coalition members at the press conference, click here.

OKLAHOMA CITY—A broad-based coalition of health care and business leaders announced the formation of Oklahomans for Free Market Health Solutions today. The group is encouraging legislative leaders to find a private-sector, Oklahoma-based solution to the mandates in the federal Affordable Care Act.

Coalition members—representing a growing, diverse group of 30 organizations—stressed the need for an Oklahoma solution to the law before a federal health care exchange is forced upon Oklahoma businesses, health care providers and consumers. “Oklahoma is a conservative state. We do not like the federal government telling us what to do and imposing a one-size-fits-all mandate on our health care system,” said Fred Morgan, President and CEO of The State Chamber of Oklahoma and chairman of the coalition. “We believe that more choices for consumers lead to better outcomes.  We do not want an exchange that limits consumer choices.”

“The Affordable Care Act is being challenged in court, but that does not mean we can sit back and wait to see what happens with the case. We have to proactively seek private health care solutions that will give Oklahomans access to quality, affordable health care and ensure a federal system written in Washington is not forced upon us,” Morgan said.

The members of the Oklahomans for Free Market Health Solutions include:

The State Chamber of Oklahoma
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce
Norman Chamber of Commerce 
Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce
Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Oklahoma Association of Health Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Global Health
Delta Dental of Oklahoma
Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
Oklahoma State Association of Health Underwriters
Tulsa Association of Health Underwriters
Oklahoma City Association of Health Underwriters
Oklahoma Osteopathic Association
Oklahoma Hospital Association
Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians
Coventry Healthcare
UnitedHealth Care 
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) – Oklahoma
Aetna US Healthcare
Oklahoma Chiropractors' Association
Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association
Oklahoma Pharmacist’s Association
Oklahoma State Chiropractic Independent Physicians Association
Oklahoma Nurses Association
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy
Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition
INTEGRIS Health

Under the Affordable Care Act, if Oklahoma does not create its own health marketplace for insurance coverage, the federal government will impose an exchange. Such a system likely would diminish, if not eliminate, the health care consumer-agent relationship.

“Health insurance agents help tailor programs specifically for the needs of Oklahoma families and help ensure that consumers receive the best coverage possible for the lowest price,” said Mike Brown, a health insurance agent in Oklahoma City.

“Oklahomans are most vulnerable when dealing with a medical crisis, and it is important to have an agent on your side who has seen every situation before and can help guide consumers through the process. A federally-imposed exchange would jeopardize that important relationship, leaving Oklahomans to fend for themselves in their greatest time of need,” Brown said.

The coalition is also encouraging an Oklahoma health insurance marketplace that would ensure consumers are able to direct their own health care.

“We all want to see more Oklahomans with private health coverage. Our most pressing problems come when we provide services for those who do not have insurance and are not able to pay their health care bills. All Oklahomans pay for this through increased health insurance premiums,” said LeRoy E. Young, DO, President of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association. “We want a marketplace tailored for Oklahomans so they can be personally engaged and find insurance products that work for their families. We have more confidence in an Oklahoma solution being able to do this than a one-size-fits-all federal mandate.”

The uncertainty still surrounding the Affordable Care Act and its implementation have led many to question if the number of insurance options will be severely limited if a federally-imposed exchange is put in place. Businesses and their employers will also be affected by a federally-imposed system.

“At the end of the day, we want what’s best for our employees. They need to have confidence that quality, affordable health care will be available to them and their families. We will not be able to create and attract jobs in Oklahoma if our benefit packages are not competitive with surrounding states,” said Phil Kennedy, President of Comanche Home Center in Lawton, former chairman of The State Chamber of Oklahoma and member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

“The uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act has lessened business owners’ confidence in the federal government to create a system that is good for employers and employees alike. I believe Oklahoma leaders know what is best for our state, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.,” Kennedy said.

A federally-imposed system could hinder health care access, as well.

“Oklahomans are the best to develop a health care system that meets the unique needs of our state. We need a system that addresses quality, affordability and access. The Tulsa health community has been active in helping design such a system for years,” said Chris Benge, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Tulsa Metro Chamber and former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. “We want the flexibility to design our own Oklahoma health care system, not one forced upon us by the federal health care law.”

Attached is a list of guiding principles agreed to by all members of the coalition. The tenants include that Oklahoma’s proposal will be private enterprise based and utilize free-market principles; that Oklahoma’s proposal will preclude the federal government from dictating and imposing a federal exchange upon the citizens of Oklahoma; and that Oklahoma’s proposal must recognize the unique nature of Oklahoma, its citizens and needs, and be state-centric, among other principles.

“We want to thank Sen. Stanislawski and Rep. Mulready for tackling this important subject with their joint study committee. It is a complicated issue, and is one that needs an Oklahoma-based solution. We are confident their committee will be able to find a unique, local answer that ensures all Oklahomans have access to quality, affordable health insurance,” Morgan concluded.

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