Fallin says "No" to $54 million.

Governor Fallin today reversed her position on accepting $54 million in federal funds tied to Obamacare.

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) applauded Fallin’s decision, disclosed during a media availability today, to reject the $54 million federal grant awarded to the state to begin implementing health insurance exchanges as required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

“Today Gov. Fallin and our state leaders stood on their campaign promises to protect the people of Oklahoma from the rigid, one-size-fits-all approach of Obamacare,” said Jason Sutton, J.D., health policy analyst for OCPA.

“Oklahoma needs patient-centered health reforms that meet our state’s unique needs. A health insurance exchange could be a useful tool in creating an insurance market based on choice and competition; unfortunately, using the federal grant to build our exchange would handcuff our state to Obamacare. Rejecting those funds is the best decision for Oklahoma.”

“The best way to protect Oklahoma from Obamacare is to not implement Obamacare,” said Michael Carnuccio, OCPA president. “Today, Gov. Fallin and legislative leaders showed that they are willing to put the citizens of Oklahoma above bureaucrats and do what is right for our state. Gov. Fallin has demonstrated the type of true conservative leadership our state and nation need.”