July 2, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Legislators pass the buck to voters Enid News & Eagle, Okla. Once again, it seems, Oklahoma voters are going to be asked to decide on an issue the state Legislature lacks the will to tackle. ‘The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently cleared the way for an initiative petition that would allow voters to decide whether or not to expand Medicaid in the state. This is an issue that has been languishing in the Legis- lature for years. The measure would bring nine federal dollars to Oklahoma for every dollar spent by the state to expand Medicaid coverage to include an estimated 200,000 Oklahomans -- those who earn too much to qualify for tra- ditional Medicaid but not enough to afford coverage on the health insurance exchange. Those covered would be those making less than 133% of the federal poverty level, roughly $17,000 per year for individuals or $28,000 for a family of four. Vaccine law: One Oklahoma Medicaid expansion wouldn't only affect the unemployed and those on welfare, but also many farmers, ranchers and small business employees who have jobs that don’t come topic that’s off limits with health care benefits. ‘Some opponents say they fear the consequences should The Oklahoman, Oklahoma have required school districts clout in arguing that vac- diseases from spreading. the state’s funding obligation increase in the future. Others City simply to publish data about cine decisions need to be ‘The exemption rate for object to the expansion because of its relation to the Afford- their vaccination exemptions. left to parents, not the state. Oklahoma kindergartners able Care Act, so-called Obamacare, which has been a bar- Oklahoma has not been Both made it through the Lawmakers who ordinarily in 2017-18 was 2.2 percent, rage balloon targeted by Republicans since it was enacted. significantly impacted by Senate but got spiked in the don’t mind passing laws that which matches the national Expanding Medicaid makes sense. Oklahoma’s rural measles this year, thank House. impact Oklahomans in nu- median rate but also is up hospitals, in particular, are suffering because so many of goodness, although the raft This is par for the course. merous ways have been only from 1.9 percent two years their patients can’t afford the cost of medical care. Since of cases in the United States Oklahoma mandates that chil- too happy to defer to “paren- before and 1.1 percent in 2016, eight hospitals in the state have declared bankruptcy should prompt a discussion dren receive their vaccina- tal choice” when it comes to 2009-10. and six have closed, according to the Oklahoma Hospital about Oklahoma’s vaccination tions before starting kinder- vaccines. This is a concern given this laws. It won't, though, be- garten, unless an exception is That's not likely to change, year’s measles outbreak. The Association. cause this topic is essentially granted for medical, religious as McCortney makes cle: I highly contagious disease was And it’s not just rural hospitals affected. Whenever un- off limits. or personal or philosophical don’t think that it is possible declared eliminated in 2000, insured patients can’t pay for even a portion of their care, That's certainly been the reasons. Lawmakers in recent to get any form of vaccine but according to the U.S. Cen- those costs are passed on to those who do have insurance. case at the Capitol, where years have rejected efforts to reform bill through the Legis- ters for Disease Control and Proponents say expanding Medicaid would bring some lawmakers have shown they change the law in any way, lature,” he said, “and I don’t Prevention, 1,077 cases, in 28 $1 billion in federal dollars to the state. Bringing in nine have no interest in strength- whether by removing all intend to try again next year.” states, had been confirmed in federal dollars for every one spent by the state seems like a ening the state’s laws. As Sen. non-medical exceptions, or Meantime, the number of the United States through the pretty advantageous ratio to us. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, told removing all but religious ex- kids not getting vaccinated is end of last week -- the largest We don’t know where things will go from here, whether Oklahoma Watch recently, emptions, or keeping the ex- climbing. During the 2017- total since 1992. proponents will gather the nearly 178,000 signatures “Even inconsequential vac- emptions but making parents 18 school year, 91 percent State and local health of- needed to get the measure on the ballot, or whether voters cine bills are not viable here.” watch a video before getting a of Oklahoma kindergartners ficials urge parents to have would then subsequently approve it. McCortney filed two such non-medical exemption. had up-to-date vaccination their children vaccinated for We do knowit is a shame the Legislature has once again bills this session. One would Those efforts led to the records. Experts say a vac- measles, mumps and rubella. have required assisted-living formation of a group called cination rate of 92 percent But parents aren’t obliged to passed the buck to the voters to decide an issue it doesn’t facilities to post information Oklahomans for Health to 95 percent in a given area do this. State law gives them want to touch. about the flu shot for adult and Parental Rights, which is needed to establish “herd an easy out, and there’s no residents. The other would displayed considerable immunity” and help keep change in sight. Lobbyists increase spending Biden’s high-speed It was disappointing to read this week a report from Okla- homa Watch that found lobbyists seeking to influence our elected officials increased spending by 34 percent during the first five months of the year compared to a year ago. rail pipe dream Ethics Commission reports show the $473,500 spent on The Oklahoman, Oklahoma high-speed rail network (it airlines and on costs with au- Early this year, new Gov. meals, beverages and gifts during the legislative session and City had already included $8 bil- tos for trips of more than 300 Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, the month leading up to it was the second highest amount lion for high-speed rail in the miles. “Among the world’s they had spent. They reportedly spent $480,000 in 2017, His recent vow that under 2009 stimulus package), it much-praised high-speed rail acknowledged what amess right after the 2016 election. a Joe Biden administration was “Amtrak Joe” who made lines, only the 300-mile-long the project was. “Let’s be ‘This boost in spending by those seeking to buy influence “we're gonna cure cancer” the announcement. Tokyo Osaka Shinkansen and real,” he said. “The project, as may draw a few jabs from op- He’s all in on rail, and the Paris-Lyon TGV have currently planned, would cost within the halls of power at the Oklahoma Capitol comes ponents at this week's Demo- as president Biden says he been profitable,” Barone too much and take too long.” at atime when the Ethics Commission attempted to place cratic presidential candidate would: writes. greater restrictions on that activity. Apparently there is debates. Yet it’s hardly the ~-Make progress toward Biden's desire to funnel He's proposing finishing the more to be done as money continues to flow freely toward only far-fetched claim from completing the California more government money to stretch under construction, the former vice president. High-Speed Rail project. the California project is an running about 170 miles from those who make laws and shape policy. As part ofhis plan to ad- --Cut in half the travel indication of the blinders Merced to Bakersfield, at a Legislators accepted on average about $1,200 worth of lob- dress climate concerns, Biden time from Washington to he wears on this issue. In byists' gifts during the first five months of 2019, Oklahoma is promising to “spark the ‘New York by speeding up short, the project has been a cost of $20.4 billion and open- Watch found in its analysis of Ethics Commission reports. second great railroad revolu- the Northeast Corridor, and disaster. ing -- perhaps -- eight years While party leaders and committee chairs make up most tion” by improving freight expand that corridor to the The original plan was for from now. lines but also making a major South. “bullet train” that would And Biden wants the fed- of the biggest recipients, the filings show this year's record investment in high-speed rail. --In the Midwest and West, get riders from Los Angeles number of freshman lawmakers also recorded higher-than- The latter isn’t a surprise. construct a high-speed rail to San Francisco in less than eral government, which has average totals as lobbyists courted new prospects. Biden, who commuted system “that will connect three hours. At the outset, the spent $2.5 billion for this proj- One particularly troubling aspect of the reporting is the regularly between Wash- the coasts, unlocking new, cost estimate was about $40 ect and has promised nearly ington and his home state affordable access for every billion. In short order that $1 billion more, to make ad- fact that lobbyists have no duty to reveal the bill or issue of Delaware during his 36 American.” swelled to $98.5 billion, then in which they have an interest when they spend money on years in the U.S. Senate, has Conservative columnist dipped to about $70 billion ditional investments in it? alawmaker. With only limited exception do they have to long advocated for rail travel. Michael Barone notes that after planners gave up on ‘Those on stage with Biden disclose the client they represent. In 2011, when the Obama airlines and the interstate building dedicated tracks share many of his green This lack of information creates a veil of secrecy on what administration proposed highways already offer the for the entire route. Now the energy goals, and thus aren’t spending an additional $53 country “affordable access,” price tag is roughly $79 bil- should be public business. This is an issue that must be ad- billion over six years to and that high-speed rail can’t lion and the completion date likely to press him on rail. But dressed sooner rather than later. promote building a national compete on travel time with is anyone’s guess. voters should.