Journalist: John Manigah (ORU)
Alex Edmundson, a Representative from Oklahoma State University (OSU), presented a collaborative bill inspired from the heart. The bill, known as the Universal Cowboy Plan Act (OSU-508), addresses the fundamental system failures of Oklahoma’s healthcare system and was inspired by Edmondson’s grandmother, who suffers from dementia. His reform attempt also arises from personal struggles; he and his co-author faced regarding health insurance and social security. Unfortunately, this bill was not passed, with 31 affirmative votes and 34 negative votes. His co-author was unable to attend this session due to a work scheduling conflict.
Although the bill was not passed, the body gave Rep. Edmundson a round of applause afterward because of his clear passion, expertise, and good-faith effort evidently put into this bill.
What the Bill does.
The bill presents a way to reform healthcare in the state of Oklahoma. This is done by correcting outdated insurance provider lists, some of which have not been updated since 2021, according to Edmundson. A 2% tax increase, reducing bureaucratic barriers for those with disability and chronic conditions, and gradual implementation to allow the healthcare system to prepare for influx. “We have a system that really doesn’t work for us; it’s crazy, we fight companies that are meant to help keep us alive, so that’s the reason why I wrote this bill,” said Edmundson.
Edmundson Opinion.
For Edmundson, this bill was as much for the people of Oklahoma as it was for the healthcare struggles he has seen his family experience. “I’ve seen a lot of the struggles my mom has gone through; seeing other problems they’ve had is a very eye-opening experience of how messed up and failing our healthcare system is,” said Edmundson.
Although he feels strongly about his bill, Edmundson does admit that it had a few shortcomings. “I do realize that there were some small faults within the bill, a couple of clerical errors that I probably should have kinked out before this, really should have done a little more combing through,” said Edmundson. Many of the issues he believed people might have were related to action items, such as fiscal initiatives, the effective date, and the burden it would place on the healthcare system.
The body’s opinions
Much of the body respected Edmundson’s bill but had fiscal concerns about it. “I’m personally not in favor of a bill that aims to reduce the cost load on individuals and families, but increases their individual income tax by 1.5%…Though I would vote yes on the bill for every other reason,” Said Rep. Hamilton OSU. “The funding section was just a little iffy to me, but I think with some work, it could be a really good bill,” said Rep. Hampton OU. “Mainly the funding…by adding another income tax to the residents of Oklahoma, and even those who are not residents of Oklahoma, just the workers in the state, did not seem fair to me,” said Rep. Shcultz OSU.