EDMOND —
The presidential election ushered in a new paradigm in American politics. Once discounted, underserved, minority, disenfranchised groups wield power as coalitions. Status quo gives way to new, inclusive change. Politicians need pay attention. Going forward, championing solutions for our country’s challenges together is a viable course.
Ronald Reagan and Tipp O’Neill amiably worked out their differences for long-term solutions. Oklahoma leaders can do the same with the administration. However, following the election our leaders may be stuck in old partisan ways overlooking possibilities for different governing approaches. We need unbiased willingness to compromise for solutions for all Americans. Not just those perceived as a candidate’s base. As Abraham Lincoln demonstrated, doing the right thing and compromise will build consensus despite political unpopularity — leaders willing to consider compromise can prevail.
Gov. Mary Fallin denied expansion of the Medcaid program and rejected a state health care exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, turning down billions of federal funds. How is this a longer-term view? Oklahoma suffers dire need of health care reforms. Alone, state costs will be immense. Accepting the funds offers a fiscal basis to craft viable solutions. For Republicans, this decision emphasizes a perception of alienating the underserved at the worst time. Expansion could extend coverage to more than 180,000 low-income Oklahomans — including 50,000 children. Now, what for them?
Since elected, the governor opposed “Obamacare,” but stepping back and utilizing available funds offers opportunity. What are the options and plan? Hopefully, the program is not being rejected primarily for political reasons. Regardless, the effect is polarizing. Unintentionally, too many believe they do not count. The governor cited, “unmanageable costs for Oklahoma.” However, this begs a bigger, ongoing issue; Oklahoma has more than 600,000 uninsured at an annual cost of $1 billion. Hospitals will bear added costs.
When the governor and Speaker Kris Steele accepted, then inexplicably refused $54 million of federal funds for an exchange, it foretold this decision. The rhetoric of private and public support offered as a prospect to fund an exchange evaporated. Did the governor roll political dice assuming Mitt Romney would win the White House and the health care act would be overturned? This conviction clouded a broader focus. Partisan politics cannot trump the shared care of citizens. The specter of prior decisions may have fueled this reaction.
Lincoln, against his Cabinet’s advice, knew enacting the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 would not be politically popular, but it was right. There is no comparing his monumental act to this in scope. However, for Oklahomans left out of Medicaid coverage the impact is severe. Lincoln’s courage illustrates the value of “leadership” in putting politics aside. Hopefully, the governor will demonstrate a similar courage. Taking care of the least of us matters much morally.
Significantly, Medicaid expansion actually provides 100 percent of the cost during the first three years and 90 percent thereafter until 2020 to be paid by the federal government. Risk is diminished, leaving ample time to enact broader reforms. The overall problems don’t square with the governor’s financial argument. Taking a higher road putting politics aside offers a new opportunity for unity.
PHIL G. BUSEY SR., an Edmond resident, is CEO and chairman of The Busey Group of Companies.
Opinion
Partisan politics does not solve Medicaid crisis
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Don’t leave Oklahoma!
May is graduation season. As I have done every year as lieutenant governor, I have given multiple commencement speeches. Advice flows freely during this time and it usually runs the gamut. What to do, what not to do, how to do ‘x’, be sure not to do ‘y.’ Too often commencement speakers speak in big generalities. So general, the message is frequently lost or forgotten.
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Last-minute funding proposals not in state’s best interest
All indications point to this being the last week of this year’s legislative session. The Legislature will go home a week early. This is good news for Oklahomans as not only will there be cost savings but all Oklahomans should breathe a sigh of relief when the Legislature stops making new laws a week ahead of schedule.
As usual, the Legislature will take a number of important votes during the last week. Some will be forced due to attempts to introduce and pass far-reaching, new policies that should have been introduced much earlier in the year. -
BY THE NUMBERS: Oklahoma still needs to invest in its economy
After six months of stagnation, the Oklahoma economy finally appears to be expanding again albeit still weakly. Unfortunately, our leaders aren’t making the investments we need to give our economic prospects a boost.
Last week the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services reported that in April state General Revenue fund collections were 5.2 percent above the estimate and 14.7 percent higher than last year’s collections. Under normal circumstances, such a report would indicate that the Oklahoma economy was very strong. But this isn’t a normal circumstance, and April isn’t a normal month. -
Americans deserve the truth on Benghazi
Lately, the media has been consumed by the controversies surrounding the White House. Among these controversies is the horrific terrorist attack on the United States’ diplomatic compound in Benghazi that took place Sept. 11, 2012. As more people come forward with additional information regarding the attack on the consulate, many Americans, including myself, are still asking for the truth.
The Obama Administration and the State Department have been less than forthcoming with key information on Benghazi and recent information points toward a major cover-up. -
Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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HEY HINK: Some people just are not cut out for command
Recent headlines cause me to remember an incident that occurred on an army base some years ago. Warning here: I’m taking some liberties with names and details, but the basic outline of events is accurate.
A certain company commander, let’s call him Captain Duntz, had command of a motor pool on a large army base in the continental U.S. -
We’ve become our own worst enemies
The past couple months have been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
You don’t want to dwell too long on the negative, but we do have to take notice of horrific human events and we owe it to ourselves to respond to them in some way. We don’t always agree on those responses, however, and that usually exacerbates the problem. -
Let’s reimburse higher ed for remediation costs
The good news: Oklahoma schools are teaching phonics. The bad news: It’s in college.
Students at Tulsa Community College, for example, can take a college English course called “Spelling and Phonics,” which “helps students master basic spelling literacy, principles of phonics and decoding skills.”
This sort of higher education brings to mind former Boston University president John Silber’s quip: “Higher than what?” -
AGAINST THE GRAIN: Department of Commerce highlights Main Street successes
The 24th annual Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet was at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum last week. Oklahoma Department of Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez addressed the gathering, and spoke of how the Commerce Department works with Main Street organizations throughout the state that are working to improve their downtown areas. Lopez pointed out that the partnership between his department and those local organizations has brought new life to those communities and that the attendees would see some of that revitalization in a video presentation. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin also addressed the gathering, and said the Main Street program has resulted in more than $1 billion in investments in the state and more than 1 million volunteer hours in its 24 years of operation.
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OUR VIEW: Be Edmond needs your help
BMX star and local legend Mat Hoffman knows what’s it like to fall from great heights and find yourself at one of the worst low points in life. He also knows how to climb back up and tackle life’s problems head on.
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Don’t leave Oklahoma!
