Oklahoma
Proposed Medicaid cuts would be devastating to Oklahoma’s most vulnerable | Opinion
Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid.
House passes spending bill — Here’s what’s in it
The House passed a spending bill that would raise the deficit and could put Medicaid in danger.
In a move that threatens to upend the lives of millions of Americans, Congress is poised to slash $800 billion from Medicaid. For Oklahomans, this decision is not just a political abstraction — it is a direct attack on the health and well-being of our state’s most vulnerable populations. These cuts will have far-reaching consequences, disproportionately affecting low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. As a state that has only recently embraced Medicaid expansion, Oklahoma cannot afford to go backward. Congress must reconsider this reckless decision before it inflicts irreversible harm.
Medicaid is a lifeline for nearly 1 in 4 Oklahomans, providing essential health care services to those who would otherwise go without. The program covers prenatal care for expectant mothers, routine check-ups for children and long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities. It also supports rural hospitals, many of which are already teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Cutting $800 billion from Medicaid would force Oklahoma to make impossible choices: reduce coverage, slash benefits, or impose stricter eligibility requirements. No matter the approach, the result will be the same — more Oklahomans will suffer.
Medicaid cuts will impact rural communities, children and seniors
Oklahoma’s rural hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements to keep their doors open. According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Report, 30% of Oklahoma’s rural hospitals are at immediate risk of closing. If Congress moves forward with these cuts, many of these facilities will be forced to shut down, leaving entire communities without access to emergency care, maternity services, or basic medical treatment. For rural Oklahomans, this isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a matter of life and death.
Children will also bear the brunt of these cuts. Medicaid covers nearly half of all children in Oklahoma, ensuring they have access to vaccines, doctor visits and treatments for chronic conditions. When children lose access to health care, the consequences extend far beyond their immediate health. Studies show that children without adequate health care are more likely to struggle in school, miss days due to illness, and face long-term health challenges. By cutting Medicaid, Congress is jeopardizing the future of an entire generation of Oklahomans.
Seniors and individuals with disabilities will also face dire consequences. Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States, covering nursing home stays and in-home care services for millions of elderly and disabled Americans. In Oklahoma, where the population is aging and rates of disability are higher than the national average, these cuts could force families to make heart-wrenching decisions about how to care for their loved ones. Many will be left with no choice but to shoulder the financial burden themselves, pushing them into poverty.
It’s worth noting that Oklahoma only recently expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, after years of resistance from state leaders. The expansion, which took effect in 2021, has already proven transformative, providing coverage to more than 200,000 low-income adults. These individuals now have access to preventive care, mental health services, and treatment for chronic conditions — services that were previously out of reach. Congress’ proposed cuts would undermine this progress, leaving thousands of Oklahomans once again uninsured and untreated.
Proponents of the cuts argue that they are necessary to reduce the federal deficit, but this reasoning is both shortsighted and cruel. Slashing Medicaid will not solve the nation’s fiscal challenges; it will only shift the burden onto states and families, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Moreover, the economic ripple effects will be profound. Healthier populations are more productive, and thriving hospitals create jobs. By gutting Medicaid, Congress is not only harming individuals — it is undermining the broader economy.
Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid. For too many in our state, this program is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Cutting $800 billion from Medicaid is not just bad policy; it is a moral failure. Congress must prioritize the health and dignity of its citizens over political expediency. The lives of Oklahomans depend on it.
Jena Nelson is director of programs for the Oklahoma Faith Network.
Since the return of EA Sports’ iconic college football game, its release has become a summer rite of passage.
It’s not just because gamers like the game or because players like the game. Since its return post-NIL, players can be themselves in the game. They get a small cut through an NIL agreement, and they can play the game with them and their teammates in it. Plus, EA Sports has made a commitment to making its player ratings as realistic as possible.
For those reasons and a host of others, the game’s popularity has soared far beyond an initial surge over pent-up demand when the game was shelved.
But it isn’t just the stars that get player ratings. Yes, those players get plenty of attention. But now every player that agrees to be in the game is in the game and gets a player rating. For Oklahoma State, that’s more than 70 players that are in the game and have player ratings.
With the game in wide release on Thursday, let’s dive into how each player is ranked.
Every OSU Player’s CFB 27 Player Rating
EA Sports gives every player that is in the game an overall score, which is from 0 to 100. Those scores are based in part on six separate categories that also receive scores — speed, strength, agility, awareness, change of direction, injury and awareness. Those individual scores don’t add up to 100 and other factors go into the overall scores.
Going into the season just two Oklahoma State players have overall player ratings of 90 or better — running back Caleb Hawkins (91) and wide receiver Wyatt Young (90). Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is just outside that percentile at 89. Those scores can change during the season based on a variety of factors, including actual game play.
For now, here is the rating for every OSU player in the College Football 27 game:
RB Caleb Hawkins: 91
WR Wyatt Young: 90
QB Drew Mestemaker: 89
LB Ethan Wesloski: 87
CB Mo Horn: 86
EDGE James Williams: 84
WR Justin Bowick: 83
RB Ayo Adeyi: 82
WR Chris Barnes: 82
WR Miles Coleman: 82
OG Johnny Dickson III: 81
OT Braydon Nelson: 80
TE Donovan Green: 80
LB Isaiah Chisom: 80
WR Israel Polk: 80
FS Christian Bodnar: 79
OG Jacob Sexton: 79
SS Evan Jackson: 78
DT Jerry Lawson: 78
WR Rodney Harris II: 78
EDGE Braylon Rigsby: 77
DT Enai White: 77
DT Fatafehi Vailea II: 77
EDGE Jaleel Johnson: 77
TE Oscar Hammond: 77
DT Saadiq Clements: 77
OT Joseph Hanson: 76
WR Kam Powell: 76
CB LaDainian Fields: 76
EDGE Landon Dean: 76
OG Louie Canepa: 76
FS Mose Phillips III: 76
SS Cameron Epps: 75
RB KD Jones: 75
RB Tre Page III: 75
FS Vincent Holmes: 75
OT Ashton Lepo: 74
EDGE DeSean Brown: 74
DT Dominic Macon: 74
CB Kollin Lewis: 74
EDGE Malik Charles: 74
EDGE Rashod Bradley: 74
EDGE Billy Walton III: 73
EDGE Keviyan Huddleston: 73
SS Quinton Hammonds: 73
K Sam Keltner: 73
CB Trudell Berry: 73
RB William Mason: 73
LB Carl’veon Young: 72
CB Kobi Foreman: 72
LB Tate Romney: 72
LT Shaun Torgeson: 71
WR Terrence Lewis: 71
TE Bodie Boydstun: 70
LB Jack Puckett: 70
LB Trip White: 70
LB Dallas Winner-Johnson: 69
OG Desmond Magiya: 69
WR Jabarie Thornton: 69
P Lachie Pozzobon: 69
CB Marrel Davis III: 69
OG Miguel Chavez: 69
C Tyler Mercer: 69
QB Grant Jordan: 68
C Jakobe Sanders: 68
OT Kai Holec: 68
LB Taurean Davis: 68
SS Braeden Presley: 67
QB Broderick Vehrs: 66
EDGE DJ Jackson Jr.:65
TE Caden Yates: 64
LB Gunnar Wilson: 64
C Isaiah Bowman: 56
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The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. have announced the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy, recognizing 20 college football head coaches from across the Power Four conferences, the Pac-12 and one independent program.
The annual award honors the head coach whose program exemplifies success on the field while promoting scholarship, leadership and integrity, the three principles that defined legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy.
Oklahoma’s Brent Venables among nominees
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is one of six Southeastern Conference coaches included on this year’s watch list. Coaches became eligible after leading their current programs for at least two seasons and maintaining an Academic Progress Rate (APR) above the national average of 971.
The selection committee also considered each program’s Graduation Success Rate, community service efforts and projected performance during the 2026 season.
| Coach | School | Conference | APR (2024-25) |
| Bret Bielema | Illinois | Big Ten | 988 |
| Jeff Brohm | Louisville | ACC | 972 |
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana | Big Ten | 989 |
| Mario Cristobal | Miami (FL) | ACC | 993 |
| Spencer Danielson | Boise State | Pac-12 | 985 |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | Big Ten | 1000 |
| Kalen DeBoer | Alabama | SEC | 1000 |
| Sonny Dykes | TCU | Big 12 | 987 |
| Mike Elko | Texas A&M | SEC | 1000 |
| Kirk Ferentz | Iowa | Big Ten | 997 |
| Jedd Fisch | Washington | Big Ten | 991 |
| Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame | Independent | 1000 |
| Willie Fritz | Houston | Big 12 | 989 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | SEC | 993 |
| Brent Key | Georgia Tech | ACC | 997 |
| Dan Lanning | Oregon | Big Ten | 988 |
| Lincoln Riley | USC | Big Ten | 993 |
| Steve Sarkisian | Texas | SEC | 990 |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | SEC | 981 |
| Brent Venables | Oklahoma | SEC | 997 |
Key facts
- Twenty coaches were named to the preseason watch list.
- Oklahoma’s Brent Venables included with a program APR of 997.
- The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven coaches on the list.
- Four previous Dodd Trophy winners are included.
- Watch list coaches have combined for four national championships, 31 conference titles and 1,841 career victories.
What’s next for the award?
A midseason watch list will be released this fall and could expand or narrow the field. Finalists will be selected after the 2026 regular season by a panel that includes previous winners, national media members, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame representative.
The 2026 Dodd Trophy winner will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.
Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.
In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.
“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”
Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.
If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
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