Oklahoma Senate Bill 1017, introduced by Senator Dusty Deevers, would limit Medicaid coverage for school-based services to those that are educationally necessary for students to receive a free and appropriate public education, as required by federal law.
The bill defines these services as specially designed instruction and excludes medically necessary services not related to education. It also prohibits the Oklahoma Health Care Authority from covering any services beyond what is specified in the bill or required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The bill aims to clarify the scope of Medicaid’s involvement in school-based services, ensuring that the program only funds services directly tied to education rather than broader health care needs. If passed, the measure could affect how schools and Medicaid providers coordinate services for students with disabilities in Oklahoma.