Press Release
November 8, 2016
OHCA Contacts: Jo Kilgore - (405) 522-7474, Jennie Melendez - (405) 522-7404
OHCA and Tribal Leaders
convene for 10th Annual Tribal Consultation
OKLAHOMA
CITY – Representatives from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) met
recently with tribal leaders from across the state for a roundtable discussion
on tribal health topics.
The
annual consultation provides an opportunity for Oklahoma tribes to receive
updates, as well as give input and ask questions about SoonerCare (Oklahoma
Medicaid) and Insure Oklahoma. The
meeting also brings state tribal leaders together to brainstorm and share best
practices with OHCA.
This
year’s consultation got underway with a breakfast sponsored by the Southern
Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB); followed by opening remarks from SPTHB
Executive Director Jennifer LittleSun, and Ed McFall, OHCA board chairman.
After individual introductions of tribal leaders, OHCA Tribal Government
Relations Director Dana Miller presented a report to the group.
“OHCA
tremendously values our tribal leader partners. Actions are being made to
resolve issues that were brought to light during discussions like these. They
are the experts regarding the health care needs of their citizens. We are
thankful for their collaboration and the opportunity to create solutions
together,” said Miller.
Topics
of concern this year included transportation solutions, access to care issues
for rural tribal communities, eldercare and telemedicine.
Fourteen
elected tribal leaders and 17 tribal representatives were in attendance in
addition to OHCA board member Ann Bryant and dozens of key stakeholders and
tribal designees. Cherokee Nation Business provided the meeting room at the
Hard Rock Hotel and Conference Center in Catoosa for the event.
The
feedback and ideas discussed at the consultation will now develop the agenda
for the upcoming tribal partnership planning session scheduled for early 2017.
If you are interested in attending to develop an action plan for the year,
contact tribalrelations@okhca.org.
The Oklahoma Health Care
Authority (OHCA) administers two key health programs for the state. The first
is SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. SoonerCare works to improve the
health outcomes of Oklahomans by ensuring that medically necessary benefits and
services are responsive to the health care needs of our members. Qualifying
Oklahomans include certain low-income children, seniors, the disabled, those
being treated for breast or cervical cancer and those seeking family planning
services. The second program OHCA operates is Insure Oklahoma, which assists
qualifying adults and small business employees in obtaining health care
coverage for themselves and their families. OHCA strives to educate and engage
our current 805,388 members regarding personal responsibilities for their
health services utilization, behaviors, and outcomes in partnership with a
state-wide network of 48,224 providers. For more information, visit www.okhca.org or www.insureoklahoma.org.