News Facts NetworkOklahoma Near Bottom in Health Care Rankings, Highlighting Equity and Access Failures

News Facts NetworkOklahoma Near Bottom in Health Care Rankings, Highlighting Equity and Access Failures

Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation for overall health care system performance, according to the 2025 scorecard from the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit focused on independent health policy research. Only Texas and Mississippi scored lower, with Washington, D.C., included in the rankings. The state scored especially poorly in breast cancer deaths, infant mortality, suicide rates,…

Oklahoma agency misses first benchmarks of mental health settlement

The Oklahoma mental health department missed its first series of deadlines to provide improved competency restoration services.

Oklahoma misses key deadlines in court-ordered mental health reform, report finds

Independent consultants cite delays and poor communication from the Department of Mental Health as people with serious mental illness wait in jail for treatment.

A Bubble Off Plumb

I recently attended a presentation by Cindy Byrd, the Oklahoma State Auditor. While much of the information shared concerned the mess at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, there were some takeaways that could be applied almost anywhere.