Representative Suzanne Schreiber

D

District 70

Hi, I’m Suzanne Schreiber and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 70th District.

representative

News & Announcements

Feb 24, 2025

Schreiber moves healthcare reform legislation out of committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Bill 1853 introduced by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, and co-authored by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, would expand deductibles to include cash payments for out-of-pocket medical services. The bill passed unanimously out of the Insurance Committee. “It’s common sense that any medical service payment – no matter the payment type – should go toward insured patients’ deductibles. Currently, if a patient pays out-of-pocket for a medical service because they have found a cheaper provider, it is excluded from their health insurance deductible,” Schreiber said. “This is a simple incentive for Oklahomans to find lower cost care. As it stands, insured consumers have two options: go through their insurance or cash-pay. This new law would merge the two and reduce healthcare costs overall.” “The cost of healthcare weighs heavily on all Oklahomans, often forcing them to make tough decisions between whether to pay a bill or seek care – that’s not right. We must do better, and this bill is a step in the right direction,” Schreiber said. If enacted, Oklahoma would join Texas and Tennessee in leading the country in innovative ways to empower patients, promote cost transparency, and reform the healthcare marketplace. -END-

Feb 5, 2025

House Democrats lay out policy agenda for 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, Oklahoma House Democrats laid out their legislative priorities for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature during a press conference. “House Democrats remain focused on working Oklahomans and providing solutions to the real problems they face every day,” Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City said. “We will work to lower the cost of living between paychecks, ensure every child receives a free, quality public education, and increase access to affordable healthcare because we know we all have the best chance of success when we are healthy. Oklahomans deserve leaders focused on making that possible.” Specific bills that were highlighted: HB 2228; HB 1847; HB 1396; HB 1112; HB 2092; and HB 1709 HB 2228, Leader Munson:  Modernizes and expands the Sales Tax Relief Credit and will increase the refund amount to $200 for those earning up to $75K, depending on age, disability, and number of dependents. HB 1847, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa:  Eliminates unnecessary and costly regulation mandating fire sprinkler systems for family home childcares.  HB 1396, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa:  Makes it unlawful to raise private school tuition as a result of the school opting to accept the Parent Choice Tax Credit. Makes it unlawful to require that a parent apply for the voucher tax credit as a condition of school acceptance. HB 1112, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City:  Increases public school teacher pay by $5K and increases school support staff pay by 6%. HB 2092, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman:  Expands the free school lunch program. HB 1709, Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City:  Makes sure medical debt accrued because of receiving life saving care does not get reported to credit agencies. This is not an exhaustive list of bills filed by House Democratic Members for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature. -END-

Oct 15, 2024
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House Democrats respond to Oklahoma grand jury report of misspent pandemic relief funds by State Superintendent

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democrats responded to an Oklahoma Multi-County Grand Jury report finding significant mismanagement and misspending of the Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief (GEER) Fund. “This report highlights what happens when those in power choose not to hold themselves accountable to hard working taxpayers,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “Knowing there is a severe lack of training on management of public funds and consequences for mismanagement of public funds in state statute, the State Superintendent and Governor were emboldened to misuse money meant to help Oklahoma public schools. Improper management of finances is completely avoidable, and as leaders in our state, it was the responsibility of the State Superintendent and Governor to put mechanisms in place for accuracy, accountability, and transparency when spending public taxpayer money. They continue to fail our teachers, students, and families – and this multi-county grand jury report couldn’t be clearer on that.” Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, says internal controls to protect from corruption were ignored. “After four years of asking for an investigation into the abuse of GEER funds, today we learned that the officials charged with transparent disbursement of these dollars disregarded internal controls designed to prevent corruption,” Provenzano said. “We learned that whether or not Oklahomans got access to GEER dollars may have been based on registered political party and voting district rather than established qualifications. I struggle to understand how indifference to state internal controls and federal guidelines is not willful negligence. Corruption comes in many forms. This doesn't pass the smell test.” The report from the Multi-County Grand Jury said while there is not sufficient evidence for indictments, their findings “uncovered deeply troubling practices.” “Oklahoma is responsible for these funds regardless of indictment charges,” said Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater. “We must hold those who mishandled these tax dollars accountable.” Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, says the public deserves better from its leaders. “These were taxpayer dollars,” Schreiber said. “Superintendent Walters' failure to care for and manage them in service to the education of Oklahoma’s kids is harmful to us all. As public servants, we owe the public so much better than this.” Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, says Oklahomans deserve to know where accountability is coming from. “I was frustrated but not surprised by this news,” Menz said. “State Superintendent Ryan Walters is willfully and gleefully burning through millions in taxpayer dollars because he thinks people aren’t paying attention. We are. And every voter in Oklahoma deserves to know who is holding him accountable before they head to the polls next month.” Read the full report  here. -END-