Pruitt Warns Fed HHS Of Potential Law Violation

Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warning of a potential violation of the law in their denial of funds to the state’s Insure Oklahoma program.

The letter is in response to federal administrators denying a waiver and funds for Insure Oklahoma, which they had granted since 2005, because the state did not expand Medicaid under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.  

“The Supreme Court made it clear last year that the federal government cannot coerce states into expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act by threatening to pull funds, and that’s exactly what they’re doing here,” Pruitt said. “Insure Oklahoma has received the approval of HHS since 2005 and the program hasn’t changed.”

Since 2005, Insure Oklahoma has received a waiver stating that even though the program includes an enrollment cap, it still meets federal requirements to receive funds. The waiver does not relate to Medicaid funds.

“We hope that you will reconsider the legality of your decision,” the letter states, “and as you have in the past, evaluate Oklahoma’s waiver request solely based on the criteria.”


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  1. Norma, 28 June, 2013

    “It Ain’t Over Yet”!

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