WHAT DO THEY SAY AT THE MARCH MECCA? THEY SAY THE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT THEIR CLIENTS IS TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THIS DATABASE. NOW, LAST YEAR, THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE PASSED SENATE BILL 1369, REQUIRING ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PARTICIPATE. TODAY, HUNDREDS OF THERAPISTS, COUNSELORS AND OTHERS FROM THE GROUP OKLAHOMA PROVIDERS FOR PRIVACY WERE SHOUTING THAT THIS DATABASE NEEDS TO GO. THEY BROUGHT SIGNS SHOWING OFF THEIR MESSAGE THAT THEY WERE THERE FOR THEIR CLIENTS AND FOR MENTAL HEALTH. IN OKLAHOMA, THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY IS TASKED WITH MAINTAINING THIS DATABASE AND SAID IN A RECENT STATEMENT THEY INVITE MORE FEEDBACK AS THEY IMPLEMENT THE PROCESS. NOW, ONE LAWMAKER DID COME UP AND SAY THAT SOME IN THE LEGISLATURE WERE LOOKING INTO CARVING THERAPISTS AND COUNSELORS OUT OF THIS REQUIREMENT. THE PROVIDERS WERE EXCITED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE SHOWED UP, BUT SAID THIS WAS NOT THEIR FINISH LINE AND THEY WANT TO REMIND LAWMAKERS THAT THIS LAW INCLUDES THEM AS WELL, MAKING IT PERSONAL. WE’RE REMINDING THEM THAT WHEN THEY GO TO THE LOCAL PHARMACY, THEIR PHARMACIST IS GOING TO KNOW NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE STREP THROAT, THEY HVE PTSD, THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. NEXT FOR US IS TO KEEP GOING, KEEP THE MOMENTUM. THE HEALTH CARE INFORMATION EXCHANGE WILL REQUIRE ALL PROV
Oklahomans march at Capitol to protest upcoming required patient database
Therapists and counselors said they shouldn’t be included in Oklahoma’s new health information exchange to protect their clients.
Updated: 5:07 PM CDT Mar 18, 2023
Oklahomans marched at the Capitol to protest the upcoming required patient database.Therapists and counselors said they shouldn’t be included in Oklahoma’s new health information exchange to protect their clients. They said the only way to protect their clients is to keep them out of the database.Last year, the Oklahoma legislature passed Senate Bill 1369, requiring all health care providers to participate. On Saturday, hundreds of therapists, counselors and others from the group Oklahoma Providers for Privacy were shouting that the database needed to go.They brought signs showing off their message that they were there for their clients and mental health in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority was tasked with maintaining the database and said in a recent statement that they invite more feedback as they implement the process.One lawmaker said some in the legislature were looking into carving therapists and counselors out of the requirement. The providers were excited that so many people showed up but said it was not their finish line, and they wanted to remind lawmakers that the law includes them.“Making it personal…reminding them that when they go to the local pharmacy, their pharmacist is going to know, not only do they have strep throat, they have PTSD, they have a history of sexual assault. Next for us is to keep going, keep the momentum,” said Shay Espinosa, organizer and counselor.The Health Information Exchange will require all health care providers to use the system on July 1.Top HeadlinesOklahoma mom of 6 left with only memories after house fireTrump plans to visit Oklahoma this weekendDriver crashes into Louie’s patio early Friday morningInvestigation into Norman Fire Department finds no fraud, city saysBody camera video shows OKC police captain’s arrestTwo people face charges after shooting outside Joe Mixon’s homeTwo toddlers died after possible drowning in Oklahoma City
Oklahomans marched at the Capitol to protest the upcoming required patient database.
Therapists and counselors said they shouldn’t be included in Oklahoma’s new health information exchange to protect their clients. They said the only way to protect their clients is to keep them out of the database.
Last year, the Oklahoma legislature passed Senate Bill 1369, requiring all health care providers to participate. On Saturday, hundreds of therapists, counselors and others from the group Oklahoma Providers for Privacy were shouting that the database needed to go.
They brought signs showing off their message that they were there for their clients and mental health in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority was tasked with maintaining the database and said in a recent statement that they invite more feedback as they implement the process.
One lawmaker said some in the legislature were looking into carving therapists and counselors out of the requirement. The providers were excited that so many people showed up but said it was not their finish line, and they wanted to remind lawmakers that the law includes them.
“Making it personal…reminding them that when they go to the local pharmacy, their pharmacist is going to know, not only do they have strep throat, they have PTSD, they have a history of sexual assault. Next for us is to keep going, keep the momentum,” said Shay Espinosa, organizer and counselor.
The Health Information Exchange will require all health care providers to use the system on July 1.
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