'A very joyful moment': Medicaid expansion takes effect in Oklahoma

After more than a decade of fierce debate about whether Oklahoma should expand Medicaid, the Sooner State on Thursday became the 37th state to implement Medicaid expansion and offer health benefits to more low-income residents.

Medicaid expansion has been one of the most heated political topics in Oklahoma since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010.

Supporters of State Question 802, which Oklahoma voters passed last year to expand Medicaid, celebrated the change that is expected to result in roughly 200,000 more Oklahomans qualifying for Medicaid benefits.

About 25% of Oklahomans are already enrolled in Medicaid, but the expansion allows adults ages 19-64 whose income is 138% or lower than the federal poverty level to qualify.

Read more: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/07/01/oklahoma-expands-medicaid-after-years-debate-becoming-37th-expansion-state/7786089002/