Oklahoma Senate approves fee on hospital revenue

A legislative plan in to generate more than $420 million to help reimburse hospitals for medical care provided to low-income and disabled Oklahomans passed the Oklahoma Senate on Monday. The bill, approved 39-9, authorizes a fee of 2.5% on the net revenues of 77 Oklahoma hospitals that would be used to draw matching federal Medicaid funds. Sen. David Myers, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the fee would generate about $152 million, which would then be used to access an additional $269 million in federal matching funds to reimburse hospitals that provide health services to Medicaid patients. Some Republicans opposed the measure, arguing it ultimately will result in more federal spending and drive up the national deficit.