Oklahoma: Preventing the Unthinkable


Bricktown Canal

In 2009, the unthinkable almost happened when the Oklahoma Health Care Authority came close to stopping providing durable medical equipment to anyone over the age of 21. United Spinal’s Oklahoma chapter, NeuroResources, banded together with other affiliated nonprofit agencies to battle this important issue. From those efforts, the “Wheels of Change Advocacy Network” arose and soon after, the group was able to successfully advocate to stop the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Despite the victory, advocates knew the fight was not over.

The roots of the dangerous current situation have been exposed over the last few years. Oklahoma was one of a handful of states that elected not to accept the Affordable Care Act funding. The Health Care Authority attempted to cut access to catheters and so severely reduce reimbursement to DME that in 2014 the majority of DME suppliers threatened to cease providing equipment to Medicaid recipients. In 2015 the Oklahoma Health Care Authority is again threatening cuts that could destroy the livelihoods of Medicaid recipients, and more specifically those who rely on DME.

Budget shortfalls forced the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to make drastic reductions in reimbursement across the board, restricting access to care in many areas of service and DME. As a result, many DME suppliers made the decision to no longer provide services to Medicaid recipients. Thanks to the hard work of the Advocacy Network and NCART, services eventually resumed. Still, the state of Oklahoma had to make budget cuts and it did so at the cost of placing the most vulnerable group of disabled individuals at risk.

Because of this extreme threat to access, Wheels of Change Advocacy Network reached out to more affiliates to find strength in numbers. Affiliates included advocates from large disability organizations, councils, independent living centers, local rehab centers, occupational and physical therapists, veterans organizations and DME supplier networks. Working together to effectively improve and protect health care services in the state of Oklahoma, this group sought to enact the “Commitment to Care for People with Complex Physical Disabilities Act” of 2015.

The goal of this legislation was to put permanent protections in place for access to equipment and care for Medicaid recipients including:

• Recognizing that individuals with complex physical disability have specialized needs and without access to specialized services, complex rehabilitation technologies and supplies, may be at risk for institutionalization;

• Acknowledging that people with complex physical disabilities require specially trained, higher-skilled specialized providers performing heavier demand workload;

• Reducing costly hospital and long-term institutionalization costs by protecting individuals with complex physical disability from potential cuts to Medicaid services through an exemption process;

• Ensuring access to specialized services, supplies and complex rehabilitation technologies through a separate funding structure;

• Decreasing waste, consumer wait-times and administrative costs through implementation of diagnosis-based approved standards of care;

• Acknowledging that specialized providers, services, equipment, supplies and technologies cannot be limited through single-source contracts, competitive bidding or other access-limiting policy/rule for people with complex physical disabilities.

As part of the efforts, Wheels of Change Advocacy Network requested a meeting with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to prevent drastic cuts from placing vulnerable individuals at risk in the future. The Authority said that the coalition’s attempt to postpone these cuts had come too late in the process and the cuts were going to happen. However, OHCA agreed to work with the group on the wording of the bill so that they could support it and legislation would have a better chance to pass. As this issue went to press, chapter and coalition leaders were negotiating with state representatives for provisions to protect the people most dependent on DME.

Oklahomans are once again faced with a daunting advocacy challenge in the guise of the Health Care Authority’s plan to cut all DME services to Medicaid recipients. As it did in 2009, NeuroResources is working diligently to band together more support and build grassroots strength through membership drives and building alliances.

To join the Oklahoma chapter’s efforts, contact neuroresources1@aol.com.


Willis WashingtonSpotlight: Oklahoma City

by Willis Washington

My Take

You need look no further than just east of Oklahoma City’s downtown business district to find the model for revitalization the rest of the city can only hope to emulate. That’s where you will find Bricktown. Dating back to just after the city’s inception in 1889, Bricktown had fallen on hard times until a 1993 initiative raised money to develop the area. Just over 20 years later, Bricktown is a thriving urban entertainment hub. New taxes built a canal, a minor-league baseball stadium and Chesapeake Arena, home to the Oklahoma City Thunder and numerous high profile concert and touring shows. That’s not even mentioning a number of great restaurants and stores. Because most of the construction is post-ADA, the area is highly accessible and a great spot for an evening on the town with friends.

I recently visited this area with my two nieces from out of town and was pleasantly surprised to find that even the boats on the Bricktown Water Taxi were accessible, with easy rear access for me and my wheelchair. Each boat has a portable ramp and two spots for wheelchairs. Elevators and ramps make it easy to access the boats if you want to take in the area on the canal, or you can push along the many walkways and sidewalks.

Skinny on the City

Everywhere you look there are signs that Oklahoma City is growing up, and most of the time that growth means improving accessibility, but it still has a long way to go to be the accessible destination many of us here would like it to be.

Places to Go

As a lifelong basketball fan, taking in Thunder games at Chesapeake Arena is near the top of my list of things to do in Oklahoma City. The Thunder’s relocation from Seattle in 2008 is one of the best things to happen to OKC. Game nights bring out big, fun crowds in Bricktown and the surrounding areas, and there is nothing like rooting the Thunder on to victory. The arena has great accessible seating with plenty of space and good sight lines. The whole experience will make you feel at home.

For a more outdoorsy adventure, Martin Park Nature Center offers miles of easy gravel and packed-soil trails to roll on. With 144 acres to explore, there is plenty to do, including an accessible playground and nature education center. The park also offers numerous programs for kids and families and rentable spaces for outdoor parties. It is also currently being upgraded with improved access by a local organization called Wilderness Matters.

Want to stay indoors? Catch a flick. Wheelchair seating no longer means a cramped seat in the first row with your chair tilted back and your neck craned up at the screen. The OKC area has two great options for wheelchair-friendly movie viewing, with the Moore Warren in nearby Moore, Okla., and the AMC Theaters in the Penn Square Mall. The Moore Warren has director’s suites with luxury plush recliners you can transfer into to enjoy the latest in picture and sound technology. Some theaters also offer service at your seat, meaning you don’t have to miss a minute.

Health Care

Oklahoma City isn’t lacking for options when it comes to rehab hospitals. Between Valir Rehabilitation Hospital, Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation, OU Medical Center, and the College of Allied Health — part of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center — Oklahomans have four solid options near at hand. Working as a mentor and an advocate for the local chapter of the United Spinal Association, I’ve been impressed with the level of communication between the hospitals and the communities they serve.

Must See, Must Do

Favorite restaurants: Pearl’s Oyster Bar has the best crab cakes and a great, deep seafood menu. It has a fun atmosphere and hits all the access necessities. If you are in the mood for steak, check out Cantina Laredo — hands down the best carne asada in town.

If you happen to be in Oklahoma in mid-August, don’t miss the NeuroResources No Boundaries Expo. Over 75 organizations showcase a variety of local adapted sports, in addition to providing health screenings and access to an equipment-sharing program.


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