From Hershel Lamirand
Executive Director, Oklahoma Health Center Foundation

In November, when we are using our right to vote and elect our next president along with other important legislative positions, two state questions will have more impact on the Oklahoma Health Center than any other in history. We need you to vote yes on these two state questions.

State Question 707 also called TIF – tax increment financing – is a way to finance economic growth for an area. Currently, TIFs are only allowed to be paid out over one year. If the constitution is amended with this proposal, public entities will be allowed to have multiple years to finance projects. The majority of other states have this powerful economic tool. It is critical to small communities as well as larger cities to spur economic development that this question passes.
As you can imagine, this question is also vital to the continued growth of the Oklahoma Health Center campus. Using this financing as a tool, we can continue to attract biotech companies and high paying jobs to the Oklahoma City area.

State Question 713 also called the "Health Care Initiative" levies a tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. This measure will use these monies – an additional $149.3 million – dedicated to the health care of Oklahomans. What can Oklahomans hope to see if this State Question passes? Proposals include establishing a comprehensive cancer center in Oklahoma City, funding breast and cervical cancer treatment for uninsured women, additional funding for trauma care and increased Medicaid reimbursements to ER physicians. Also included is a $50 Million Medicaid expansion for coverage of approximately 100,000 uninsured Oklahomans through an employer-based private insurance premium assistance program. For those who do smoke, money will be dedicated to help people with smoking cessation programs.
Oklahoma is languishing at the bottom of all of the states in healthiness. We need to improve the health of our citizens and this measure is a huge step in the right direction.

Please get out and vote on November 2 and consider these two state questions in particular.