Oklahoma House gives final OK to $44 million in health funds; recesses special session

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma House has passed and sent to the governor two measures that provide about $44 million to help shore up the budgets of the state’s Medicaid and human services agencies.

The House voted unanimously on Friday for the bills, one to appropriate $17.7 million to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and another to provide $26.5 million to the Department of Human Services. The House then temporarily recessed the Legislature’s second special session.

House Floor Leader Rep. Jon Echols told members to be prepared to return sometime in January if Republican leaders are able to reach a deal on a package to increase revenue.

The Legislature has struggled to raise revenue to fill a budget gap after the state Supreme Court ruled a $215 million cigarette fee was unconstitutional.