OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Medical Association is raising concerns about the long-term impact of Medicaid funding reductions, saying cuts to health care programs could threaten access to care across the state, particularly in rural communities.
Association leaders say thousands of children have already lost coverage and warn deeper impacts are still ahead.
Thousands of children have already lost coverage
The Oklahoma State Medical Association says about 14,000 children have lost health coverage following Medicaid changes that took effect last year. Officials say the most significant reductions to SoonerCare and SoonerSelect are expected to be felt beginning in 2027.
“The deepest reductions to SoonerCare and SoonerSelect won’t really hit until January of 2027. So the real impact will be felt next year. But last week, there was an announcement of $218 million in cuts to hospital payments, which is a body blow to many rural hospitals that are just trying to barely survive,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda, Oklahoma State Medical Association.
Rural hospitals face financial pressure
Dr. Sumit Nanda says many rural hospitals operate on slim margins and could face closure if reimbursement cuts continue. He says losing those facilities would leave many Oklahomans without nearby access to health care.
“The margins are very thin, 2 or 3%. And so this can tip them over into bankruptcy and force many of these hospitals to close their doors, which would be devastating to patients that live in these small communities because then they have a health care desert effectively,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda.
Health care deserts could expand
According to Nanda, southeastern Oklahoma already struggles with physician shortages. He says hospital closures can create a ripple effect, leading providers to leave rural communities or the state altogether.
“Part of the reason why these areas have no physician, no hospital, is that it starts with cuts to Medicaid such that small hospitals and rural hospitals are not able to keep their doors open. They lay off staff, services get scaled back and then physicians have nowhere to admit their patients,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda.
Preventive care versus emergency room care
Nanda argues reduced access to care often pushes patients into emergency rooms, where treatment is more expensive and health outcomes are often worse.
“Patients should have access to us and to hospitals, and that is not happening. It’s getting worse, not better,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda. “Emergency room care is much more expensive than preventive care.”
Doctors say funding is an investment
Nanda, an ophthalmologist, says health care funding should be viewed as an investment in Oklahoma’s future, particularly when it comes to children and young adults.
“If I can help a child see, that can pay dividends for many, many years in terms of that child being an adult, working, being able to hold down a job and contribute to the tax base for 40 or 50 years,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda.
Concerns about Oklahoma’s future workforce
Nanda says access to health care is a factor families consider when deciding where to live and work. Without adequate care in rural areas, he warns communities could struggle to attract and retain residents.
“Rural Oklahoma needs good health care. It needs education and health care. Otherwise, it’s very hard to attract people to come live there,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda.
Message to lawmakers
The Oklahoma State Medical Association is urging state and federal leaders to make Medicaid funding a priority and preserve access to care for children, people with disabilities and low-income families.
“Medicaid should not be considered an expendable program. It’s not expendable. Our patients are not expendable. Our people are not expendable. So we need to invest in our people,” said Dr. Sumit Nanda.
Bottom line
Nanda says cuts to Medicaid funding could have consequences far beyond health care, affecting education, workforce development and the long-term viability of rural Oklahoma communities.
“Let’s not give up on our children.”
This article was originally published by KOTV (News on 6). You can see the original story here.