{"data":{"id":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-63-63-5003","jurisdiction":"us-ok","citation":"Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-5003","heading":"Legislative declaration - Purpose","body":"A. The Legislature recognizes that the state is a major\n\npurchaser of health care services, and the increasing costs of such\n\nhealth care services are posing and will continue to pose a great\n\nfinancial burden on the state. It is the policy of the state to\n\nprovide comprehensive health care as an employer to state employees\n\nand officials and their dependents and to those who are dependent on\n\nthe state for necessary medical care. It is imperative that the\n\nstate develop effective and efficient health care delivery systems\n\nand strategies for procuring health care services in order for the\n\nstate to continue to purchase the most comprehensive health care\n\npossible.\n\nB. It is therefore incumbent upon the Legislature to establish\n\nthe Oklahoma Health Care Authority whose purpose shall be to:\n\n1. Purchase Medicaid benefits;\n\n2. Study all state-purchased and state-subsidized health care,\n\nalternative health care delivery systems and strategies for the\n\nprocurement of health care services in order to maximize cost\n\ncontainment in these programs while ensuring access to quality\n\nhealth care;\n\n3. Make recommendations aimed at minimizing the financial\n\nburden which health care poses for the state, its employees and its\n\ncharges, while at the same time allowing the state to provide the\n\nmost comprehensive health care possible; and\n\n4. Administer the state-sponsored health and dental benefits\n\nplans known as HealthChoice and life insurance plans in accordance\n\nwith the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act and the State\n\nEmployees Flexible Benefits Act. The Office of Management and\n\nEnterprise Services shall cause the transfer of all necessary\n\nassets, data, records, and personnel necessary for the\n\nadministration of HealthChoice not later than the effective date of\n\nthis act.","path":["OK Code","Title 63"],"source_url":"https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os63.pdf","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:36Z","sha256":"f60ddf6a6d04e7141ec335f683103ae256512a57a6e4cb873f0e805a0dd94dcc","source_id":"us-ok","stale":false,"prev":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-63-63-5000.25","next":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-63-63-5004"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}