Tulsa -
President Obama's health care plan will stand. And it has Oklahomans split on supporting it.
But Channel 8's Kim Jackson says the medical community is paying attention to what happens next.
At the O. U. Clinic, they do see a lot of patients but they are concerned about hundreds of thousands more who never get there because they don't have the cash.
"My back is wore out but I've had both knees operated on, hip operated on, got a pacemaker, and had colon cancer," explained 74 year old Ina Coleman, who says she's always had her own insurance, where 600-thousand residents do not.
"I think everybody ought to plan for their own insurance. I mean if some of us can do it the rest of them can, too," she said.
So she does not support the new healthcare reform act, even though there are medicare provisions that could help other seniors.
"People in the medicare age group, nay not get new coverage but you have seen them under the law get help defraying medicine expenses under the donut hole," said Dr. John Schumann.
He helps develop new doctors at the O. U. School of Community Medicine. He is concerned how Oklahoma will provide care with a current shortage of medical workers.
"We need to get more doctors but not just more doctors, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants other providers other types too," he said.
He expects to see more medicaid patients, once the law takes effect. So over the next several months--he and others will focus on the workforce.
