Policy Analysis

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Children and youth
Crisis response

Progress since House Bill 4106, Oklahoma's law on mental health protocols for schools

Implementation for HB 4106 is still uneven across the state. But mental health crisis response protocols have shown a positive impact on students by improving systems of coordinated care. In this analysis, Healthy Minds makes recommendations for stronger compliance.

Read More
Parity

How ‘generally accepted standards of care’ create fairer systems for accessing behavioral health treatment

Some states require insurance companies to use “generally accepted standards of care” — evidence-based criteria that are created and endorsed by behavioral health experts and associations.

Read More
Criminal justice
Crisis response
Workforce
Parity

2026 Oklahoma legislative session: Mental health bills to watch

Find summaries and tracking lists for the mental health bills we're watching in 2026.

Read More
Crisis response
Criminal justice

A practical path forward for criminal justice diversion in Oklahoma

In this report, we present recommendations with broad support from a variety of justice system stakeholders about ways to divert people with mental health and substance use conditions away from jails and into treatment.

Read More
Workforce

Maximizing the impact of Oklahoma's allied mental health workforce

Allied mental health professionals are an essential part of Oklahoma’s behavioral health workforce. But low wages and restrictive certification requirements can make it difficult for communities to recruit and retain these workers, and drifting responsibilities often do not reflect their training and expertise.

Read More
Public funding and Medicaid

Next steps for CCBHCs in Oklahoma: How the state can ensure high-quality, cost-effective services

To chart a course forward on CCBHCs, the state must protect access to care while building a foundation of adequate governance to ensure high-quality, sustainable services.

Read More
Public funding and Medicaid
Workforce
Integrated care

Behavioral health strategies for Oklahoma’s application for critical Rural Health Transformation Fund dollars

With a successful application, Oklahoma could receive at least $500 million through the new Rural Health Transformation Fund. We outline how Oklahoma should prioritize the funding, including initiatives for rural workforce development and integrated behavioral health care.

Read More
Criminal justice
Children and youth
Public funding and Medicaid
Workforce

2025 Oklahoma interim legislative studies: What topics lawmakers will consider ahead of 2026

These are the interim studies we're tracking at Healthy Minds.

Read More
Public funding and Medicaid

FAQ: How federal changes to Medicaid will affect mental health services in Oklahoma

The "One Big, Beautiful Bill" is expected to have several major impacts on Oklahoma and the more than 1 million Oklahomans enrolled in Medicaid.

Read More
Workforce
Public funding and Medicaid
Criminal justice
Parity

Mental health policy highlights of Oklahoma’s 2025 legislative session

Mental health was a central issue for much of the Oklahoma Legislature’s 2025 session, with months of concern over the state mental health department’s finances culminating in the unprecedented removal of the agency's commissioner.

Read More
No results found.

Try selecting a different category to see policy updates from Healthy Minds.