State’s Budget Cuts Could Close Oklahoma Hospitals

CRITICAL CARE. KOCO'S STEVE BOTTARI WITH HOW IT COULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR YOU TO STEVE: ONE ASPECT OF THE PLAN, TO FILL THE BUDGET HOLE WOULD BE TO CUT WHAT THE STATE PAYS DOCTORS THROUGH MEDICAID BY 25%. CRITICS WARN THAT COULD SEND OUR BEST DOCTORS OUT OF OKLAHOMA AND PUT SOME HOSPITALS OUT OF BUSINESS. >> THE DEATH OF ONE SMALL OPTION. STEVE: HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS LIKE FAIRVIEW CEO ROGER KNAK WARN IT'S LIEKLY TO BE REALITY IF THESE CUTS GO THROUGH. LARGER SYSTEMS HAVE ANNOUNCED LAYOFFS. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS, AS A SMALL HOSPITAL, WE'VE ALREADY MADE MANY OF THOSE CUTS. STEVE: WITH NO OPTIONS LEFT, DEPARTMENTS. >> IN EFFECT, RURAL HOSPITALS ARE DYING THE DEATH OF A THOUSAND CUTS. ALTOGETHER. IT MEANS FEWER DOCTORS MIGHT ACCEPT MEDICAID AND SOONER CARE, APPOINTMENTS. >> SPECIALISTS WILL HAVE TO STOP ACCEPTING MEDICAID TO STAY FINANCIALLY VIABLE THEMSELVES. STEVE: DRIVING MORE PEOPLE TO THE ER, DRIVING UP HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR EVERYONE. THAT HOSPITAL'S CEO HAS A MESSAGE FOR LAWMAKERS. HE SAYS THERE IS A SOLUTION. SIMPLY, ACCEPT THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OFFERED TO OKLAHOMA BY MEDICAID, SOMETHING SO FAR, OUR