Dear Friend, The Legislature has now been in Special Session for four weeks without any agreement on how to fix the budget. Now we know that if an agreement isn't reached soon, the effects will be catastrophic. - The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be forced to end nearly all outpatient services, depriving almost 200,000 Oklahomans with mental illnesses and addictions of the critical care they need.
- The Oklahoma Health Care Authority will be forced to cut the reimbursements they pay to hospitals, nursing homes, and other Medicaid providers by 9 percent, threatening access to care for low-income children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in rural communities and across the state.
- The Department of Human Services will be forced to restrict services for the elderly, children in foster care, and those with intellectual and physical disabilities.
The time for action to solve this crisis isn't next year, next session, or next month, It's now. What You Can Do - Lawmakers are back at the Capitol this week. They need to hear from you. Please call, email, or visit your legislators and legislative leaders this week. Let them know that you expect them to support a budget agreement that generates the recurring revenue needed to avert catastrophic cuts, invest in key priorities, and put the budget on a sustainable path. See our Advocacy Alert for talking points and additional resources. Click here to find your legislators.
- Attend Tuesday's rally in support of mental health and addiction services. Join other advocates at the Capitol Tuesday, October 24th at 10 AM for a rally sponsored by the Oklahoma Behavioral Health Association. Click here for more information.
- Learn more. Click here for our Special Session Frequently Asked Questions to find out more about why a special session has been called, what has (and hasn't) happened so far, and what are the possible outcomes to the current budget crisis. See below for additional resources.
The crisis we are facing is urgent and unprecedented. Please do whatever you can to let your lawmakers know that you expect them to resolve this crisis - now. Thank you! David and the OK Policy Team Additional Resources - Advocacy Alert: Lawmakers must use special session to fix the budget, not pass the buck
- Poll: Oklahoma voters want comprehensive revenue deal in special session
- Fact Sheet: Six ways to bring in new revenues in Special Session
- Interactive: How Would You Fix the Budget in Special Session?
- Together Oklahoma Advocacy Tipsheets
- Blog Post: Lawmakers have good revenue options for special session if they have the will to use them
- Advocacy Alert: End the special tax break for oil and gas producers
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