House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, on Wednesday passed a bill in the Oklahoma House of Representatives that is hoped to recruit more mental health professionals to serve rural residents. House Bill 2947 would credential behavioral health clinical interns to provide services that are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement under the state's Medicaid plan, provided they operate within their clinical scope of practice under the supervision of a licensed behavioral health provider. The bill also would create a small income stream for clinics to be able to attract interns through financial incentives such as mileage reimbursement, small stipends or hourly wages.  "Our rural areas are struggling for licensed mental health care providers," Grego said. "This legislation would provide some relief for clinics trying to attract graduate students and new professionals. With so many of our behavioral health workforce retiring, this kind of measure is essential to strengthen our capacity to serve Oklahomans who live in our rural areas." Grego reported that 37% of Oklahoma's population lives in rural areas, and almost 90% of the state's landmass is considered rural. "Recruiting behavioral health professionals to these areas is a high priority for our state," he said. Research shows the return on the state's small investment should be strong, Grego said. The hope is that between 30% and 60% of graduate students serving in rural areas will stay to begin their first post-graduate jobs within 100 miles of those locations. He said he examined new data showing that at least four Oklahoma counties currently have no licensed providers, and 10 counties have five or less. Grego said providing services as a clinical intern is a common part of their graduate level training. To ensure the highest level of oversight, these interns would only serve in clinical sites that are also national accredited or certified through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. Under the bill, behavioral health clinical intern providers must only provide services that are billable through accredited clinical sites in good standing. On-site supervisors may only supervise up to six behavioral health clinical interns at any time. The bill passed the House on a vote of 81-8. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Tribal and External Affairs Leader Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, today announced he will not seek reelection for his final legislative term. First elected to the House in 2016, Fetgatter will finish his 10th year in office in November. "I'm ready for some new challenges and to move into my future," Fetgatter said. "This decision comes after much consideration and conversations with my family." "I'm grateful for the decade I've had to serve the daily needs of the incredible people in my House district and to represent Oklahomans all across the state. I appreciate the trust my constituents have placed in me. Even though I haven't been able to agree with everyone 100 percent of the time, I have always tried to make myself available, to listen and to collaborate to find solutions to the many pressing issues that face Oklahomans. "I want to thank my family for their forever support, my legislative assistant, Jamie Layne, and our amazing House staff for all of their assistance. I also want to thank all I've served with in the Oklahoma House, many of whom are my dear friends. Thank you for always supporting me." Fetgatter serves House District 16 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of Muskogee, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties. He's a native Oklahoman, moving with his family to Okmulgee in 1972. After many years of working on tribal issues in the Legislature and being a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert named Fetgatter chairman of the Joint Committee on State and Tribal Relations and leader of tribal and external affairs for the House. He has worked to build bridges with the state's 39 sovereign tribes and to serve as a liaison between the House and Oklahoma's federal congressional delegation. Notably, he's worked with several tribes to improve rural water infrastructure, to enhance economic development opportunities between the state and the tribes, and to negotiate compacts and gaming issues. "My whole life I've believed with 39 tribal nations in the State of Oklahoma that contribute billions of dollars to our local economies, job creation, infrastructure and educational opportunities, the tribes are the greatest partners the state is blessed to have. I would like see better collaboration so this partnership thrives in the future," Fetgatter said. Fetgatter has chaired the House Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee for seven years. He currently serves on the full Appropriations and Budget Committee as well as Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances and Business. He's also previously served as vice chair the Wildlife Committee and as a member of the following committees: Agriculture, Appropriations and Budget, Business and Commerce, County and Municipal Government, Public Safety, Technology and the Appropriations and Budget Human Services Subcommittee. He also has served at the speaker's request as the chair of the Oklahoma Ireland Trade Commission and as a member of the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Grand River Dam Authority and the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission. He has focused much of his time in office to promoting economic development and diversity in Oklahoma to make the state more business friendly. In 2021, Fetgatter authored the Filmed in Oklahoma Act, creating one of the most competitive film incentives in the nation. Notable productions following the legislation include "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "Reservation Dogs," along with many other smaller films and documentaries. Fetgatter also authored the Automotive Engineering Tax Credit and secured a $4 million investment for the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund, demonstrating his commitment to fostering economic development and stability in Oklahoma. Fetgatter also has taken a leadership role in helping to navigate regulation of the state's medical marijuana industry after state voter's approved its creation in 2018. As a first-year legislator, he was crucial in extending aerospace engineering incentives, and he helped prolong three tax credits for eight years, which created more stability and growth for aerospace companies. Two years after the extension, the aerospace industry became Oklahoma's second-largest economic driver, surpassing agriculture. Before his election to the House, Fetgatter owned a construction company specializing in themed construction. He also has worked in sales and marketing for many years as a salesman, trainer and manager. He grew up working in the grocery business at his father's local IGA. Fetgatter married his wife, Kim, in August 1990. The couple has two children, Meagan and Cody. 

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, issued the following statement celebrating President Trump on his decision to appoint Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, to serve as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security.   “I understand why President Trump would choose Senator Mullin for this role. He is immensely qualified and has done a phenomenal job representing Oklahoma in the United States Senate. Under the Biden Administration, every state became a border state. I have no doubt that Senator Mullin will play an essential role in continuing the work President Trump’s administration has undertaken to restore order and strengthen enforcement. He is someone who will step into a position that is critically important for our country right now and serve with strength and provide clarity to the American people. Senator Mullin is a tremendous asset to the United States, and I have always appreciated the strong working relationship we’ve had.”