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Commissioners keep HealthChoice after split vote over OPEH&W plan
Summary
After public comment and debate, the Cleveland County commissioners voted 2–1 to remain with the HealthChoice plan rather than immediately switch to the OPEH&W proposal; an OPEH&W representative offered an enrollment team for the week of Nov. 17, 2025 to answer outstanding questions.
The Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners voted 2–1 Oct. 6 to remain with the HealthChoice insurance plan, following public concerns about access to providers and a failed motion to adopt a plan offered by Oklahoma Public Employees Health & Welfare (OPEH&W).
Commissioner Rod Cleveland moved to approve joining the OPEH&W plan, but the motion died for lack of a second. Chairman Jacob McHughes then moved, seconded by Commissioner Rusty Grissom, to stay with HealthChoice until the board has more information; the motion passed with McHughes and Grissom voting yes and Cleveland voting no.
The decision affects roughly 420 county employees covered by the county plan. Ross Naylor, representing OPEH&W, told the board they "would like to look at the week of November 17th, 2025, and bring in a team of people to the courthouse for five full days or as many as necessary" to help enroll staff and answer questions.
During public comment, Brittany Jenkins warned the board that the proposed OPEH&W option could disrupt care for employees. "The new plan would cause her to lose access to all of her current specialists, some of whom are very difficult to replace," she said, adding that she found "only 10 facilities in Oklahoma offer the zero-cost care option included in the new plan" and that she expected an "estimated 8% annual increase in premiums."
Chairman McHughes said he is not opposed to examining new insurance options but wants outstanding questions answered before changing coverage for county employees. The board did not adopt the OPEH&W plan at the meeting; with the vote to remain with HealthChoice, implementation of any change was deferred while commissioners and staff pursue additional information and outreach.
Next steps documented in the meeting record include OPEH&W offering on-site enrollment assistance in mid-November and continued discussion among the Employee Benefits Committee and Budget Board. The board did not set a follow-up date at the Oct. 6 meeting.
