In The Know: Oklahoma hospitals seek funding clarity amid projected Medicaid payment shift | State Supreme Court overturns COVID-19 wrongful death settlement, finds hospital immune from liability | The problem with Oklahoma’s plan for a tax-free future

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription.

TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026 NOTE: In The Know will be on hiatus until Monday, July 13, while our staff lead OK Policy's annual Summer Policy Institute. Learn how you can support SPI. Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) The problem with Oklahoma’s plan for a tax-free future (Capitol Update)    Another step toward Gov. Kevin Stitt’s goal of eliminating the state income tax largely went unnoticed this session. Although more complicated than his earlier flat-budget mantra, this move is, in my view, just as damaging. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] OK Policy & Together OK are bringing the voices of your community to the Capitol.   This summer, we’re hosting listening sessions in towns and cities across the state to provide an opportunity for the public to have conversations with our fellow Oklahomans about issues that matter most in their communities. By hearing directly from residents, we can better advocate for state policies that reflect your priorities.   Sessions are free and open to the public, and participants will be compensated for their time (in-person events only). [Learn More] Find A Listening Session Near You Take Our Quick Online Survey 4 in 10   The share of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace enrollees who are children or parents. The Marketplace is a federal and state-run system where people can buy health insurance if they don’t have affordable coverage through an employer or another source. [Urban Institute] From OK Policy: H.R. 1's Medicaid cuts shift costs out of the federal budget and onto states, taxpayers, and emergency rooms How H.R. 1 Cuts and Changes to Medicaid Played out in 2026 State Legislative Sessions   It’s been nearly a year since H.R.1 was signed into law, enacting the largest Medicaid cuts in history and setting off a scramble in state capitals to respond. Back in March, we took a look at how ten state legislatures were grappling with the impending budget holes and policies created by H.R.1. Now that most 2026 state legislative sessions have wrapped up, we’re taking another look at how state lawmakers responded. [Center for Children & Families (CCF) of the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy] "Rural communities deserve more than preservation. They deserve the opportunity to continue transforming healthcare, expanding access, and building stronger, healthier communities for generations to come."   —Tom Vasko, CEO of Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck, who joined other hospital leaders raising concerns about how projected changes to the state Medicaid directed payment program could affect rural hospitals unevenly. [KGOU] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma hospitals seek funding clarity amid projected Medicaid payment shift: Oklahoma hospitals are expected to receive significantly less funding through the state Medicaid directed payment program in the new fiscal year. But the Oklahoma Health Care Authority projects the reduction will be offset considerably by an increase to another supplemental payment program. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Affordable Care Act enrollment shrank dramatically in many states over the past year, new federal data shows: States across the country saw steep drops in the number of people covered by the Affordable Care Act over the past year, with Ohio and Oklahoma each losing nearly one-third of enrollees, according to new federal data that provides the first complete 50-state breakdown of sharp enrollment declines following the January expiration of enhanced subsidies. [AP]   Tribal Nations News   White House Report Targets Smithsonian’s Treatment of Native History, Criticizes ‘Stolen Land’ Narrative: As Americans marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, late Saturday night, the Trump White House quietly released a 162-page report accusing the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) of promoting what it calls a politically biased interpretation of the nation’s past. [Native News Online]   Hero or Traitor? The Legacy of a Revolutionary-Era Cherokee Woman.: This summer, as people in East Tennessee celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, they will retell the story of Nancy Ward, a Cherokee leader who intervened to save the lives of white settlers. What I found on a visit to the region was something harder and bloodier. [The New York Times]   Voting and Election News   Candidates Running for Office Can Use Campaign Funds to Cover Childcare, But Few Do: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission in 2024 approved allowing candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds to cover the cost of dependent care. Policies like these can help more women, who tend to be primary caregivers, seek public office. [Oklahoma Watch]   Trump’s sharpened focus on investigating elections raises fears of midterm meddling: Democrats, election experts, former federal prosecutors and others say the administration’s actions raise deep concerns about whether the White House will use groundless investigations to disrupt the November midterm elections. [Oklahoma Voice]   Health News   New OU Health program trains future doctors to care for people experiencing homelessness: For many people experiencing homelessness, medical care is difficult to access. Without reliable transportation, a steady income or insurance, even routine checkups can be out of reach. The University of Oklahoma is training the state’s next generation of doctors to navigate those barriers and provide comprehensive care to unhoused patients. [KOSU]   Screwworms? Gross, but don’t panic. Tulsa health officials say the risk is low: Tulsa health officials are monitoring a U.S. outbreak of a flesh-eating parasite that lays eggs in animals’ wounds. New World screwworms can be a risk to livestock, but health leaders say there’s no reason to panic yet. [Documenters via KOSU]   Opinion: Drug pricing is critical for those of us with a rare disease: Most Favored Nation pricing sounds like a market reform. It is not. It is a price control mechanism that substitutes foreign government decisions for American ones. [Colin McEwen / The Oklahoman]   Justice System News   ‘Impacted’: OK Supreme Court reverses wrongful death decision in COVID-19 immunity case: Invalidating a $7.5 million verdict awarded to an Edmond family more than a year ago, the Oklahoma Supreme Court reversed a wrongful death case involving COVID-19 last week, finding that INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital and its providers were immune from liability under state law. [NonDoc]   Tulsa mayor creates domestic violence task force: Tulsa’s Mayor Monroe Nichols has issued an executive order to form a task force to prevent domestic violence incidents. The order comes as Tulsa County and Oklahoma rank among the highest in the nation for domestic abuse. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Amid jail move, Brent Swadley challenges phone call recordings ahead of sentencing: Brent Swadley’s time behind bars has been eventful after the 56-year-old restaurant chain owner was convicted on six fraud and conspiracy counts May 28 in Oklahoma County District Court. [NonDoc]   Economy & Business News   Tourism industry hopes 2028 Summer Olympics will be boon for Oklahoma economy: The state’s hospitality industry and tourism leaders have already begun preparing to host the tens of thousands of visitors that are expected to flock to the region to attend the 2028 Summer Olympic games. [Oklahoma Voice]   Drone delivery service plans Tulsa operation, seeks permit for launch site: he skies over Tulsa could soon be buzzing with drones dropping hamburgers, hot coffee, pharmacy orders and any other must-have-now purchases Tulsans desire onto their doorsteps, or darn close. [Tulsa World]   Local Headlines Coweta police chief clears city officials over now-dead data center [Tulsa World] Fourth of July storms leave Norman businesses, city facing mounting economic losses [News 9] Support Our Work with a Donation In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org okpolicy.org    Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe.