Agreement could save OSU hospital in Tulsa

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BY JULIE BISBEE

Published: November 26, 2008

State leaders have reached a "tentative agreement” to preserve the future of the Oklahoma State University Medical Center in Tulsa, Gov. Brad Henry’s office announced Tuesday.

Officials met Tuesday, but said details of the plan would not be released until the terms could be approved by governing bodies of stakeholders.

The hospital is a center of care for people who don’t have private insurance and is also home to the residency program for Oklahoma State University’s osteopathy program. The program has about 140 students. Officials were working to find a solution as a December deadline approached for the residency program.

The OSU Medical Center will remain open and the residency program will be housed there under the tentative agreement, House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, confirmed Tuesday evening.

"We have addressed both of our priorities, to provide stability for the residency program and allow for the care of the indigent,” Benge said.

Benge, Henry, Senate Present Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and state Treasurer Scott Meacham met with stakeholders Tuesday afternoon to hash out an agreement. Henry’s office announced Tuesday evening a deal had been reached and that parties all made a commitment to implement the proposal pending the approval by their governing bodies.

Benge said details of the plan will be made public in the next few weeks.

"We have been committed to finding a solution, and a solution had been evasive,” Benge said. "It’s nice to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Related Topics: U.S. State Government, U.S. Government