Bill > SB222

This bill establishes the Maternity Care Pilot Program, administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, which will award a one-time $5 million grant to a single hospital to support the addition of labor and delivery services. To be eligible, the hospital must meet specific criteria, including being a critical access hospital designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), being a tax-exempt charitable hospital owned by a municipality or county, having been profitable for two consecutive years, not currently offering labor and delivery services, having available space for a labor and delivery unit, and employing at least one Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). The Department of Health will develop an application process with scoring criteria and select the highest-scoring hospital. The grant funds can only be used for staffing costs for an obstetrics team, acquiring essential medical equipment and supplies, and educational classes related to maternal and infant health, with explicit prohibition on using funds for construction or renovation. The bill will become effective on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause to emphasize its immediate importance for public health. The State Commissioner of Health is authorized to create necessary rules for implementing the program.

Health and Social Services

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb222&Session=2600