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Oklahoma Supreme Court Finds Stitt Administration's Managed Medicaid Plan To Be Legally Invalid

Gov. Kevin Stitt at podium crowded with microphones
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt

Oklahoma’s managed Medicaid plan hit a legal roadblock on Tuesday, as the Oklahoma Supreme Court deemed the program legally invalid.

Under the Stitt Administration’s managed care plan, Oklahoma would shift $2 billion in Medicaid funding to four private insurance companies, which would then coordinate care for most of the state’s Medicaid enrollees. Those contracts have been awarded, and enrollment is slated for the fall.

The plan, named SoonerSelect, has many opponents, including most of the state’s medical trade groups. Those groups filed a lawsuit against the state’s Medicaid agency in February, arguing the executive branch didn’t have the legislative authority it needed to implement the program.

The Oklahoma Supreme Courtissued a ruling on Tuesday evening, agreeing with those medical groups, stating the program and its contracts to the insurance companies are legally invalid.

It’s unclear for now what effect this will have on the managed care plan’s implementation and on the insurance companies that have already secured contracts for services.

StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.

Catherine Sweeney grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and attended Oklahoma State University. She has covered local, state and federal government for outlets in Oklahoma, Colorado and Washington, D.C.
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