Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-5003: Legislative declaration - Purpose

A. The Legislature recognizes that the state is a major

purchaser of health care services, and the increasing costs of such

health care services are posing and will continue to pose a great

financial burden on the state. It is the policy of the state to

provide comprehensive health care as an employer to state employees

and officials and their dependents and to those who are dependent on

the state for necessary medical care. It is imperative that the

state develop effective and efficient health care delivery systems

and strategies for procuring health care services in order for the

state to continue to purchase the most comprehensive health care

possible.

B. It is therefore incumbent upon the Legislature to establish

the Oklahoma Health Care Authority whose purpose shall be to:

1. Purchase Medicaid benefits;

2. Study all state-purchased and state-subsidized health care,

alternative health care delivery systems and strategies for the

procurement of health care services in order to maximize cost

containment in these programs while ensuring access to quality

health care;

3. Make recommendations aimed at minimizing the financial

burden which health care poses for the state, its employees and its

charges, while at the same time allowing the state to provide the

most comprehensive health care possible; and

4. Administer the state-sponsored health and dental benefits

plans known as HealthChoice and life insurance plans in accordance

with the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act and the State

Employees Flexible Benefits Act. The Office of Management and

Enterprise Services shall cause the transfer of all necessary

assets, data, records, and personnel necessary for the

administration of HealthChoice not later than the effective date of

this act.