Improving Access to Care and Reducing Costs

Two new state laws are expected to improve access to health care, reduce medical costs and better support family caregivers. Backed by AARP Oklahoma, both measures take effect this month.

One law joins Oklahoma with about two dozen other states in a Nurse Licensure Compact. The compact will allow qualifying nurses to acquire a multistate license and practice in any participating state. The other law removes a cumbersome and outdated requirement for patients to sign a consent form in person before consulting with a health care provider via telemedicine.

In the legislative session that begins Feb. 6, 2017, AARP Oklahoma will press for measures to assist about 524,000 Oklahomans who serve as family caregivers.

For more information or to get involved in advocacy, email Mark Nichols, AARP associate state director for advocacy, at rnichols@aarp.org, or call him at 405-715-4470.