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An estimated 35,000 Oklahoma children qualify for SoonerCare, but not enrolled
commentary
May 1, 2024
An estimated 35,000 Oklahoma children qualify for SoonerCare, but not enrolled
By Joe Dorman CEO ? OICA,

OKLAHOMA CITY – As of March 2024, 502,221 Oklahoma children were enrolled in SoonerCare, just over half the estimated number of children living in the state. Additionally, the state estimates that about seven percent, or 70,000 Oklahoma children, are not enrolled in insurance, and more than half of those, or about 35,000, would likely qualify for SoonerCare coverage.

To improve delivery of services, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) on April 1 unveiled a new service program for those on SoonerCare on April 1 called SoonerSelect, 2024. Sooner-Care, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, provides healthcare for many Oklahomans, including children under the age of 19, pregnant women, and others in special categories.

Under SoonerSelect, most SoonerCare members will receive their health care coverage in a new way – through health and dental plans. A “health or dental plan” is an organization selected by the state which provides health care services through a network (group) of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, mental health professionals and other service providers. Some plans even provide extra services like programs to help you quit smoking or building a health plan.

Under this new mod-el, health and dental plans have a provider network. In most cases, eligible families must receive care from a provider in their plan’s provider network, such as a primary care provider or a primary care dentist. Those who are eligible can choose from three health plans: Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma, Humana Healthy Horizons of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Complete Health.

Eligible Oklahomans can pick between two dental plans: DentaQuest or LIBERTY Dental. Both provide medically necessary cleanings, preventive and restorative care, and provide medically necessary orthodontic services for Oklahomans under 21.

If you are a federally recognized tribal member or qualify for services through Indian Health Service, you may decide to join a plan or remain on your current SoonerCare plan. There is also a Children’s Specialty Program that serves children involved in the juvenile justice system, which includes children in foster care and children receiving adoption assistance. Oklahoma Complete Health serves these members.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) is proud to be working with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (LASO) to raise awareness about access to children’s health insurance in Oklahoma, and OICA is excited about these new opportunities.

Our collaborative work encourages families who qualify to sign their children up for SoonerCare. This grantfunded program provides resources for us to promote this initiative directly in 20 rural counties across our state: Alfalfa, Blaine, Bryan, Carter, Garfield, Garvin, Grant, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, LeFlore, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Seminole, Sequoyah, and Wagoner.

We have distributed brochures to each public school and day care in those counties, totaling more than 110,000 pamphlets to provide enrollment information to families.

The effort to get the word out is working. Information provided by OHCA shows that 81,788 children were newly enrolled statewide from February 2023 to February 2024. OICA is pleased to be a part of this campaign to see more children receive health coverage.

Parameters to qualify are based on size of household and monthly income/annual income. Further information is at https://oklahoma. gov/ohca/individuals/ mysoonercare/applyfor- soonercare-online/ el igibi l i ty/ incomeguidelines. html If you are interested in learning more, or if you think you might qualify, please go to myOKplan. org or call 1 (833) 4657526 to visit with a navigator who will assist you with verifying information and help with filling out the application.

Please recommend this program to families with children who you know as they might not be aware of this benefit. Together, we can help these young people get insurance and lead them to healthier lives.

Braving the festival, honoring a friend
A: Main, news
Braving the festival, honoring a friend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
September 3, 2025
Every Labor Day weekend since moving to Oklahoma, I thought about going to the Dusk to Dawn Blues Festival. But the idea of a yard party running from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. was intimidating—and I could neve...
A: Main, news
Man injured diving into shallow water
September 3, 2025
A 22-year-old Yukon man was injured when he dove from a pontoon boat into shallow water at Lake Eufaula, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Patrick Tanner reportedly stopped his vessel to swim ...
A: Main, news
Man found dead in yard; possible suspect investigated
September 3, 2025
WARNER – Warner Police responded to a call early Saturday morning about a dead man laying outside of a residence in the area of Fifth and Third streets. The deceased has been identified as 51-year-old...
A: Main, news
Wellness Day for seniors Sept. 16
September 3, 2025
Heritage Home Care’s fifth annual Senior Wellness Day will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 126 N. 1st St. (now Bridges Street), which is the former location of Family Dollar. The e...
A: Main, news
Looking ahead: Firm to help guide the way
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 3, 2025
What will Eufaula look like in 50 years? Without a plan, it’s anybody’s guess. But the City Council has taken steps to remove at least some of the guesswork. At a special meeting Friday, Aug. 29, the ...
Wine and Art Festival extravaganza Saturday
A: Main, news
Wine and Art Festival extravaganza Saturday
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 3, 2025
What: Vision Eufaula Wine & Art Festival When: Saturday Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: 150 N. Front St. Information: 405-248-2992 or visit visioneufaula.org The fourth annual Wine and Art Festival ...
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5 in race for state school superintendent
news
5 in race for state school superintendent
By Jennifer Palmer Oklahoma Watch 
September 3, 2025
So far, five candidates are running to lead Oklahoma’s public education system as state superintendent in 2026. Former Tulsa school board members Jennettie Marshall, a Democrat, and Jerry Griffin, an ...
DOC Director stepping down
news
DOC Director stepping down
By KEATON ROSS OKLAHOMA WATCH 
September 3, 2025
Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Steven Harpe, one of the highest paid officials in state government, will step down on Sept. 30 to take a private sector job. “I’m extremely proud of my tim...
news
Class of ’65 reunion set for Sept. 12
September 3, 2025
Graduates of the Eufaula High School Class of 1965 will get together from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept 12, at the Legacy on Main Street, 224 N. Main St. Graduates of the classes of ’64 and ’66 are...
A site out of this world
news
A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 3, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/ A...
Rest, reflections, and farewells
commentary
Rest, reflections, and farewells
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
September 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – I hope your Labor Day weekend was full of relaxation. I schedule a vacation each year with friends to get away over this holiday which allows me to “charge up the batteries” for upcomi...
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