January 10, 2026 Issue, Page 9 of 10

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NEWS The Elk City News SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026 • 9 Oklahoma Lands Historic Funding to Reimagine Rural Health Care OKLAHOMA CITY (December care close to home. Where you live ty CEO. "This funding provides a lifetime chance to reshape rural care and innovative chronic disease for health data through investment 29, 2025) – Oklahoma has officially should never determine whether transforma-tional opportunity for health in Okla-homa,” said Com- prevention and management pro- in base technology (e.g., Electronic secured ap-proximately $223.5 mil- you get the care you need.” Oklahoma to enhance both our missioner of Health Keith Reed. grams. Health Rec-ords), interoperability, lion for the first year of a five-year The RHT Program, under the access to care and the technologi- “The RHT Program is a power-ful • Growing next-gen rural talent: and data and analytics functionality. grant through the Rural Health Centers for Medicare and Medicaid cal quality of care in rural counties, step forward, laying the foundation building a pipeline for health care Updates, as well as procurement Transformation (RHT) Program, Services (CMS), is designed to help where it is an imminent part of the for lasting change. Continued col- talent in rural communities, from and funding opportunities, will be part of an historic $50 billion fed- states reimagine rural health care by local communities' survival." labo-ration is key to success, and “grow your own” programs to re- placed on Oklahoma’s RHT Pro- eral invest-ment authorized by the improving access, quality, and sus- Oklahoma’s application was we encourage communities and cruiting talent to rural communi- gram website as they become avail- One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This tainability. Oklahoma’s plan aligns shaped through collaboration stakeholders to stay engaged as we ties. able. award marks a new era for the state, with CMS’s five strategic goals: among state agencies – including tackle the complex realities of rural • Facilitating regional collabo- Oklahoma remains dedicated providing unprecedented resourc- • Make rural America healthy the Oklahoma State Department healthcare, together.” ration: strengthening partnership to ensuring effective management es to strengthen the delivery of again of Health, Health Care Authority, Initiatives in Oklahoma’s plan between rural providers to leverage of funds and careful monitoring of healthcare and improve outcomes • Sustainable access Human Services, Workforce Com- include: scale for administrative support, initiatives with the goal of rural res- for communities across rural Okla- • Workforce development mission, and Department of Men- • Innovating the care model: advanced technology and gover- idents having access to high-quality, homa. • Innovative care tal Health and Substance Abuse bringing care to communities and nance support. locally grounded care that is con- “Quality rural health access is • Tech innovation Services – alongside hospitals, pro- communities to care through vir- • Shifting to value: supporting a nected through technology, sup- vital to Oklahoma’s future,” said "Rural health care is the stabiliz- viders, community organizations, tual care options, transportation pathway to risk-sharing through ported by regional collaboration, Governor Kevin Stitt. “Funding ing factor for growth and success and pa-tient advocacy groups. This support, expanded care teams and technical as-sistance, infrastructure and sustained by a strong rural from the Rural Health Transforma- of many Ok-lahoma communi- broad input ensured the plan is re- funding for health infrastructure. building and quality incentive pro- workforce. tion Program will help strengthen ties," said Clay Bullard, Secretary alistic and reflects the real challeng- • Moving upstream: investing in grams. Together, these efforts will build smalltown clinics and critical access of Health and Mental Health and es and priorities of rural health care. community-led health and wellness • Building health data utility: ex- sustainable rural health systems hospitals so families can get quality Oklahoma Health Care Authori- “This funding is a once-in-a- support, including connections to panding access to, use of, and uses that elevate care across the state. Safer Roads and REAL ID Milestones: Service Oklahoma Drives into a New Year OKLAHOMA CITY – In ernized systems and a stronger customers where they are, the ministered Vehicle Administrators (AAM- just a few short years, Service focus on the customer experi- agency delivered measurable 2025 BY THE NUMBERS Driver License Written Tests VA) honored Service Oklaho- Oklahoma has made significant ence across driver license and improvements in performance 1.2 million customers served – nearly 76,000 tests completed ma with four regional awards, progress toward the mission it motor vehicle services state- and service consistency across online or at Service Oklahoma’s REAL ID Driver License including the Improvement was created to deliver. In 2025, wide. all 77 counties, strengthening 31 state run offices (New or Out-of-State Trans- Through Efficiencies Award, that work translated into faster By expanding options, re- public confidence in essential 4.5 percent increase in fers) – more than 73,000 trans- recognizing efforts to stream- service, improved access, mod- ducing friction and meeting government services. in-person traffic, while reduc- actions line operations, reduce on-site One of the most visible mile- ing average wait times by near- License Suspensions and Re- time and improve service de- stones in 2025 was Oklahoma’s ly 10% instatements – nearly 38,000 livery. Additional awards high- MERRITT progress toward the feder- al REAL ID deadline in May. While many states experienced long lines, appointment back- 4.8-star average Google rat- ing, with more than 3,500 re- views Launched a post-visit Cus- transactions To better support customers accessing these high-volume services, Service Oklahoma lighted the agency’s work in persuasive writing, social me- dia and public awareness. Service Oklahoma was also logs and widespread customer tomer Satisfaction Survey in continued expanding digital recognized by the Center for frustration as demand surged September, achieving an aver- options that reduce the need Digital Government with a nationwide, Service Oklahoma age score of 4.7 out of 5 from for in-person visits. Government Experience Proj- expanded access and capaci- nearly 4,000 respondents Online written tests, ect Award for launching its ty to meet Oklahomans where Answered almost 400,000 launched earlier this year, virtual assistant, Miles. Avail- they were. As a result, the state customer calls with call wait have already been completed able across Service Oklahoma’s moved from roughly 40 percent times around two minutes by nearly 32,000 Oklahomans, website, Miles provides fast, REAL ID compliance at the 88% reduction in paper tags allowing customers to take re- reliable answers around the start of the year to more than on Oklahoma roads because of quired exams from home while clock, helping both custom- 51 percent by year’s end, all the new vehicle pre-registra- preserving in-office capacity ers and staff navigate common while maintaining consistent tion process for other services. questions more efficiently. wait times and strong custom- The agency also launched Service Oklahoma: Okla- er satisfaction for every Okla- MEETING DEMAND FOR virtual reinstatement visits, homans Helping Oklahomans homan who chose to obtain a THE SERVICES enabling eligible customers Service Oklahoma’s mission is REAL ID. OKLAHOMANS USE MOST to complete reinstatement re- to ease the stress of navigating “At its core, this year was In 2025, Service Oklahoma quirements remotely rather government services while pro- about listening to Oklaho- continued to see strong demand than traveling to a physical lo- viding a best-in-class customer mans and designing services for its core services, reflecting cation. experience. around their needs,” said Die- both everyday needs and the Together, these tools expand- Service Oklahoma provides dra O’Neil, Chief Executive of agency’s focus on accessibility. ed access for rural residents, driver license and motor ve- Strategy and Operations. “Our The five most frequently re- working families and those hicle services on behalf of the team has shown that govern- quested services at our offices facing transportation barriers, state both online and in-per- ment services can be efficient, statewide were: while improving overall service son. Service Oklahoma’s part- accessible and customer-fo- Driver License Renewal efficiency statewide. nership with licensed operators cused. I’m incredibly proud of or Replacement – more than That focus on moderniza- (formerly tag agents) provides the work happening every day 81,000 transactions tion and efficiency earned na- essential services in all 77 coun- across the state, and we’re just Standard Class D Drive Tests tional recognition. In 2025, the ties at 270+ locations across the getting started.” – more than 80,000 tests ad- American Association of Motor state. Kindergarteners go to the movies! PSO Files Rate Review with the OCC to Support Grid Upgrades TULSA, Okla. (January 2, cut tree-related outages by 91%, ing communities. If approved as filed, the aver- 2026) – Public Service Compa- while the Grid Enhancement As part of the review, PSO age residential customer using ny of Oklahoma (PSO) has filed and Resiliency (GEAR) pro- is proposing new special terms 1,100 kWh per month would a rate review with the Oklaho- gram has saved more than 144 and conditions for new large experience an increase of about ma Corporation Commission million customer minutes of customers to ensure they pay $25, or 15%, by July 2026. PSO to continue delivering safe, re- service interruption since 2020 full costs to connect to the grid continues offering programs liable, and resilient electric ser- through automation and smart as Oklahoma attracts major in- such as our average vice for its 580,000 customers. reclosers. vestment and economic growth. monthly payment plan, Pow- This request reflects invest- Additional investments in These new terms prevent cost erPay, energy efficiency re- ments already in place and en- pole replacements, under- shifting and maintain grid re- sources, and bill assistance to sures PSO can meet Oklahoma’s grounding lines, and advanced liability, while enabling PSO to help manage costs and keep en- growing energy needs through metering improve safety and serve new large loads responsi- ergy affordable. grid upgrades, advanced tech- communication with customers bly and sustainably. PSO understands afford- nologies, and smart tools that on outage restoration efforts. This filing is the beginning of ability matters for every family reduce outages, speed resto- On the generation side, the ac- a rigorous review process with and business it serves. Through ration, and provide accurate quisition of the Green Country regulators and other stakehold- smarter grid investments, en- billing and real-time alerts. Power Plant adds 795 MW of ers. ergy efficiency programs, and The filing supports initiatives natural gas capacity, and invest- Throughout this process, bill payment assistance, PSO re- that are already improving ser- ments in other generation facil- PSO will work transparently to mains committed to delivering Kindergartener quote overheard by a teacher: “This is delicious! I’ve vice to customers. PSO’s vegeta- ities strengthen PSO’s reliability ensure every aspect of the re- long term value and supporting never had this before!” tion management program has and support Oklahoma’s grow- quest is thoroughly examined. communities. We proudly support the students, staff and administration New Oklahoma Law Brings Consumer at Merritt Schools ~ Great Plains Bank Protections to Cryptocurrency ATMs ~ First National Bank OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 29, 2025 – Oklahoma took a significant possible to recover. Other scams, like the “crypto re- ital finance.” The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime lic and maintains market integrity through the administration and en- step to protect consumers from cryp- covery room,” involve fraudsters pos- Report highlights that cryptocur- forcement of Oklahoma’s securities tocurrency fraud with the passage ing as law enforcement or securities rency is increasingly used for fraud, laws. The Department also educates of Senate Bill 1083, which became regulators, charging victims a fake money laundering, and other illicit investors about investing and helps effective Nov. 1, 2025. This new law recovery fee for lost cryptocurrency. activities. The number of cases na- them learn to identify and avoid Yes Finance implements the state’s first regu- Senate Bill 1083 aims to reduce those tionwide show how easily scammers securities fraud. For more infor- lations on cryptocurrency ATMs, risks by bringing accountability and can target unsuspecting consumers. mation, visit securities.ok.gov and requiring operators to be licensed, consumer safeguards to these trans- Oklahoma’s new law provides clear investedok.org. report transactions, and implement actions. safeguards for consumers while The Oklahoma Department of fraud prevention measures. “As technology continues to keeping pace with emerging finan- Securities has provided this informa- Cryptocurrency ATMs allow us- evolve, the need for new consumer cial technologies. tion as a service to the public. It does 1414 W. 3rd St., Elk City, OK ers to purchase digital currencies protections remains essential,” said Learn more about Oklahoma’s not constitute legal advice or legal like Bitcoin with cash or debit cards. Melanie Hall, administrator of the consumer protections for cryptocur- opinion and does not substitute for 580.225.1525 While convenient, these machines have been exploited by scammers to Oklahoma Department of Securi- ties. “This law brings accountability rency ATMs at https://legiscan.com/ OK/text/SB1083/2025. consulting with a private attorney. If you believe you are the victim of a LocalLoanGroup.com quickly convert victims’ money into to cryptocurrency ATMs and helps The Oklahoma Department of scam, please contact the Department cryptocurrency, often making it im- Oklahomans engage safely with dig- Securities protects the investing pub- at securities.ok.gov or 405-280-7700.