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HB 2947

Behavioral health; terms; Medicaid; scope of practice; interns; administrative requirements; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Grego and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma bill updates behavioral health regulations, expands intern practice scope and Medicaid coverage, and imposes new administrative requirements for mental health providers.

Placed on General Order
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Bill Summary · HB 2947

Legislative bill overview

HB 2947 modifies Oklahoma's behavioral health regulatory framework by updating terminology, expanding Medicaid coverage parameters, and adjusting scope of practice rules for mental health interns and related professionals. The bill also imposes new administrative requirements on behavioral health providers and establishes an effective implementation date.

Why is this important

Behavioral health workforce shortages significantly impact rural Oklahoma communities and vulnerable populations. Changes to intern scope of practice and Medicaid reimbursement directly affect how many Oklahomans can access affordable mental health and substance abuse treatment. Administrative requirement adjustments can either streamline or burden provider operations, influencing service availability.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice expansion for interns: Allowing interns greater clinical autonomy without corresponding supervision requirements could improve access but raises quality control and liability concerns
  • Medicaid coverage modifications: Broadening or narrowing which services qualify for reimbursement affects both provider revenue streams and patient out-of-pocket costs
  • Administrative burden: New requirements could reduce provider efficiency or, conversely, improve accountability depending on specifics—small practices may struggle more than larger organizations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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