Capitol Report for February 24: Renewed hopes for criminal justice reform? And, Medicaid managed care study released

During the weekly Capitol Report segment, Patrick B. McGuigan drew from a recent Oklahoma Watch news story surveying possible criminal justice reform legislation pending during the legislative session at the state Capitol. The possible reforms are sponsored by five key players at the Capitol – Senators Greg Treat, Stephanie Bice and Roger Thompson, and Representatives Kevin Calvey and Terry O’Donnell.

The proposals cover the entire gamut of the criminal justice process, ranging from apprehension and bail, through sentencing and incarceration, through release after time served. The proposals would carry forward on promised reforms to lower sentences for non-violent offenses, provide alternatives to incarceration, and allow some convictions to be expunged, McGuigan explained.

Saying he is often not in agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union, the CapitolBeatOK editor said he agreed with ACLU leaders that the reforms are both overdue and that must be “real” in impacting the state’s over-incarceration problems. Turning to health care, McGuigan said he was encouraged at a new study done for the Oklahoma Association of Health Plans that could, if acted upon, allow better care and lower costs through Medicaid reforms.