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A bill aimed at allowing Oklahoma patients to sue health insurance companies for denied or delayed treatments has stalled in the Oklahoma Legislature. House Bill 2144, authored by Representative Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, passed the House unanimously in March but was not heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus. The deadline for the bill to be considered in committee is Thursday (April 24).
According to KFOR, the bill would have allowed patients to take legal action against insurance companies if their health was harmed by "bad faith" decisions, such as unreasonably denying or delaying treatment. The bill had strong support from the Oklahoma State Medical Association and was co-authored in the Senate by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore.
The bill's supporters argue that it would provide necessary consumer protection and accountability for insurance companies. Dr. Diane Heaton, a past president of the state medical association, emphasized that insurance companies should not interfere with doctor-prescribed care. A survey conducted by CHS & Associates found that 85% of Oklahomans, including both Republicans and Democrats, support holding insurance companies accountable for denied or delayed medical care.
Despite the bill's stalling, the issue remains a significant concern for many Oklahomans, including Lacy Cornelius-Boyd, who shared her story of struggling to get an intestine transplant approved by her insurance company. As reported by Yahoo News, Cornelius-Boyd's health continues to deteriorate due to the denial of necessary treatment.