1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

It’s my understanding that this change includes the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health facility here in Norman. Some thoughts/observations/questions: - our state ranks at or near the bottom of health outcomes, mental health and substance abuse treatment. How will this help to improve that? - will this change mean an increase in treatment capacity? Having an increase in the ability to treat is a crucial part of solving the problem of the chronically homeless in Norman. If we can’t provide these services and intense social work, we can expect more of what we are currently witnessing. - What happens to the OKSDMHSAS employees who take jobs with the contractor? Do they lose their accrued retirement benefits? What of their pay and benefits? More pay? Lower workload? Retirement plans, health insurance? - The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority’s transition to contractor management of Medicaid has not gone well and the State Attorney General has moved to intervene. What will be in place to make sure the most vulnerable and without means get the care they need? - The state is considering consolidating OSDMHSAS into OHCA. How will this impact these services?