Oklahoma City (March 7, 2018) – The State Chamber of Oklahoma applauds the Legislature and the Governor for taking quick action on House Bill 1022XX. This measure will provide some funding certainty for Oklahoma’s two medical schools.

Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine (OU) provide skilled and prepared physicians for communities across our state. The schools have utilized federal funding to support physicians who care for Medicaid beneficiaries through the Deans Graduate Medical Education Programs (GME) for more than 20 years. When the federal government pulled back its financial support recently, OSU and OU were left with significant budget holes for current and future years.

“HB 1022XX appropriates much-needed funding for the GME programs at OSU and OU,” said CEO and President, Fred Morgan. “While this legislation will support Oklahoma’s medical education pipeline in the upcoming year, a long-term solution beyond FY 19 is vitally necessary. We are hopeful state and federal authorities can reach an agreement soon.”