Sen. Haste named to national health task force

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, has been appointed to a national panel addressing health care issues, including better patient care and controlling ever-increasing costs.  Haste will work with lawmakers from across the country as part of the National Conference of State Legislature’s Health Innovations Task Force.

Haste, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said he appreciated the opportunity to learn more about how other states are addressing key issues in health care, and share Oklahoma’s approach to some of these challenges.

“Improving health care in Oklahoma, and in particular, addressing critical needs in mental health care, have been top priorities for me here in the Senate,” Haste said.  “I believe it is possible to achieve better health outcomes for our citizens and address escalating costs, so I’m excited about the opportunity to brainstorm with legislators from throughout the U.S. as we work to address these and other pressing health care needs facing our states.”

As part of his work on the task force, Haste will participate in multiple meetings throughout the year.  Past meetings have focused on health policy issues such as substance abuse prevention, telehealth, and behavioral economics.

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For more information, contact:

Sen. John Haste at 405-521-5602 or email John.Haste@oksenate.gov.