Hey, @ok_hca, we spotted a few red flags from today's scheduled hearing. This is going to get a bit wonky, but we think it's important for these questions to get answered in a public forum. #okleg 1/

1. Was this a public hearing on SoonerCare 2.0? Today's hearing was listed on your site as a "virtual meeting," but clicking through showed the agenda was for "virtual public hearing." It's unclear whether this was another HAO public meeting or...something else. Can you clarify?

2. Were there technical difficulties to explain the meeting's sudden end after 10 minutes with no opportunity for public comment? The agenda listed a Q&A and public comment opportunity along with a formal adjournment, none of which appears to have happened.

3. Because of the technical issues and lack of a full Q&A, will you be rescheduling the hearing?

4. How does the public know where to send their public comments on the HAO application? The address that used to be there has been taken down from OHCA's website and the speaker at the hearing did not list it today.

5. All Oklahomans are rightly preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during these times, government transparency still matters, which is why we'd like to see additional clarity in the process.

The agency currently is moving forward with two very different requests at the same time: 1) amending its existing Medicaid program, and 2) submitting its HAO waiver that would introduce work requirements and copays to Medicaid in the future.

We have strong concerns the public is not able fully engage or stay informed on both issues due to the artificially abbreviated review/comment timeline, along with the agency pivoting to an entirely new virtual model for public hearings during a global health crisis.

In the process, it appears notices and updates aren't being posted in a clear manner, details are getting lost, meetings are not fully representative, and the public is unable to exercise their right to fully engage on this very important issue.

Considering the continued difficulties throughout this process, we again call on the Governor and agency administrators to extend the comment period until the pandemic is over, which will allow Oklahomans the time they need to fully consider the issue. #okleg

As of today, Oklahomans have eight days left to comment on Gov. Stitt's health care proposal, which could restrict health care access for up to 200,000 residents. To learn more or to comment about the proposal, visit https://coverok.org/action/