Healthcare forum to improve OK coverage

Tulsa, Okla. (KTUL) — We often talk about what it is going to take to make Oklahoma a top ten state, and healthcare is a piece of that puzzle.

According to Together OK, thousands of Oklahoman's can't see a doctor or fill a prescription because of gaps in our coverage policies.

Among those is Kelly Smalley.

"I can't take care of my epilepsy, I can't take care of my MS," said Smalley. "I have a long list of medical issues I can't get taken care of."

She's a single mother whose gone almost a year with no health insurance.

"It's tough," said Smalley. "I have limited support."

She joins thousands more in Oklahoma without coverage, which is why Together OK hosted a free forum Saturday afternoon. The group is dedicated to improving the future of Oklahoma. In their forum, they talked about what can be done to help those who just don't have an option for healthcare.

"There are over 100,000 Oklahoman's that are in the gap," said Sabine Brown with Together OK. "They either make too much money for Medicaid but enough to be eligible for the subsidies on the marketplace."

But they think they have a remedy to make it better.

"One thing that we know for sure is those in that gap, would gain the ability to see a doctor, to get treatment for mental illness and chronic diseases and be able to fill a prescription if lawmakers accepted federal funding to expand access to healthcare," said Brown.

Brown also says the added funding could help save rural hospitals on the verge of closing. She says the idea is working in more than 30 states.

"We think it's time to bring our tax dollars back to Oklahoma," said Brown.

Something Kelly is also looking forward to as well and not just for herself but others.

"I never really knew what my purpose in life was, but maybe this is my purpose to help people," said Smalley.

Together OK is taking this plan straight to lawmakers.

They're hosting a Rally To Expand Coverage on April 24th at 10 a.m. at the capitol.