Full-Time
Updated on 8/1/2026
Purchases state-funded health care; ensures quality
$45k - $55k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
In Person
Less than 10% in-state or out-of-state travel may be required.
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OHCA manages the costs of state-purchased health care in Oklahoma by using state and federal funds to buy health care services for eligible residents. It analyzes data and forms partnerships to optimize accessibility and quality while keeping costs under control. As a government agency, it coordinates public funding and policy rather than competing as a private payer, focusing on vulnerable populations. Its goal is to provide accessible, high-quality, publicly funded health care for Oklahoma residents in a fiscally responsible way.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$4.2M
Headquarters
Kansas City, Missouri
Founded
1953
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Remote Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
State attorney's foul-mouthed ICE resistance lecture ends with termination. Bs brief: * The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed Friday that assistant general counsel Shannon Desherow was fired after an internal investigation into her viral anti-ICE video. "Once we were made aware of her social media post, we opened an internal investigation," the agency said. "Upon completion of the internal investigation, she was terminated." * Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond publicly condemned Desherow before the firing, declaring that she "does not speak for Oklahoma" and that her attack on ICE did not reflect "the values of Oklahomans or the law-enforcement community." * Part of Desherow's legal argument touched on a genuine constitutional dispute: Administrative immigration warrants are issued by immigration officers rather than judges and traditionally have not authorized nonconsensual entry into a home. But the Trump administration adopted a contested policy allowing entry in certain final-removal cases, prompting lawsuits and fierce disagreement among legal experts. Oklahoma fires state attorney after she urges citizens to make ICE agents' lives 'miserable' An Oklahoma government lawyer who delivered a profanity-soaked social-media lecture urging American citizens to resist federal immigration agents has lost her state job. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed Friday that it terminated staff attorney Shannon Desherow following an internal review of the viral TikTok video. The agency added: "Upon completion of the internal investigation, she was terminated. Since this is a personnel matter, we are unable to further comment at this time." Desherow had served as an assistant general counsel for the OSBI, the state agency responsible for assisting law-enforcement organizations with major criminal investigations. Her employment came under scrutiny after the conservative social-media account Libs of TikTok circulated a video in which Desherow attacked conservatives who tell people to "just comply" during encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Conservatives really think they're doing something when they say, 'Just comply' when it comes to ICE and United States citizens," Desherow said. She then launched into a string of obscenities while arguing that federal immigration officers have no authority over citizens. "Why the f - would I comply with someone who has no jurisdiction over me?" Desherow continued: "ICE has no authority and no jurisdiction over U.S. citizens. So why the f - would I comply with an order given to me at gunpoint by somebody who has no f - ing authority to make that order?" She answered her own question: "I'm not going to." The attorney then turned from a discussion of legal rights to a direct call for public resistance. "I don't have to f - ing comply with ICE because I was born here." She added: "Every citizen needs to have that f - ing mindset." Then came the line that generated the fiercest backlash: "We need to make their lives f - ing miserable, and that's exactly what we should be doing." The OSBI initially placed Desherow under review after the video spread online. The agency later completed that investigation and dismissed her. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond also weighed in publicly, rejecting any suggestion that Desherow's comments represented the state. "The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's Shannon Desherow does not speak for Oklahoma," Drummond said. He added that her comments attacking ICE's mission: "Do not reflect the values of Oklahomans or the law-enforcement community." Desherow identified herself on social media as a "lawyer, mom, bookworm" and a "leftist in a red state," while adding that her views were her own and did not represent her employer. Her LinkedIn profile listed her as an assistant general counsel for the state and indicated that she graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2020. The video also contained a more specific legal claim concerning the difference between ICE administrative warrants and judicial warrants. "An ICE warrant, by the way, 99% of the time, is an administrative warrant," Desherow said. She argued: "It's not good enough for the f - ing Fourth Amendment." Desherow continued: "It doesn't give you access to my house. It doesn't give you access to my car, and it certainly doesn't give you access to f - ing arrest me." That portion of her argument overlaps with longstanding legal guidance distinguishing an immigration administrative warrant from a search warrant signed by a judge. An ICE administrative warrant is issued within the executive branch, not by a neutral court. Civil-liberties organizations have long advised residents that such a document generally does not, by itself, authorize immigration agents to enter a private home without consent. The Trump administration, however, has asserted broader authority in cases involving noncitizens who already have final removal orders. An internal ICE memorandum obtained by The Associated Press stated that officers could rely on administrative warrants to enter homes in those cases. The Department of Homeland Security defended the policy by arguing that the targets had received due process and were already subject to final removal orders. Critics have challenged the policy as unconstitutional. ICE also says its detainer policy requires probable cause to believe a person is a removable alien before an immigration detainer can be issued. None of that establishes that ICE possesses unlimited authority to detain or search American citizens. Nor does it mean citizens should physically interfere with federal officers, disregard lawful commands involving public safety or intentionally escalate an encounter. Even organizations sharply critical of ICE advise people not to physically resist agents. Guidance from the ACLU says that when agents lack a judicial warrant, residents may decline entry and state that they do not consent - but should not attempt to forcibly stop officers. Desherow's social-media history reportedly contained other intensely political posts. In one pinned video, she accused conservatives concerned about Islamic law of supporting "fundamentalist extremism" when practiced by white Christians. "You guys love Sharia law," she said. "You love fundamentalist extremism when White people are implementing it." She also posted criticism of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination, saying: "Charlie Kirk inherited the society that he helped create." Desherow added: "Charlie Kirk and other conservative talking heads like him preach stochastic violence endlessly and then whine and cry when they're the victim of their own f - ing violent rhetoric."
State of Oklahoma launches BEACON AI platform. Posted: Jul 24, 2026 / 12:07 PM CDT Updated: Jul 24, 2026 / 04:32 PM CDT OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Office of Management and Enterprise Services announced on Friday it is launching BEACON, an Oklahoma enterprise artificial intelligence platform. The new platform will help state agencies improve efficiency and strengthen customer service by delivering better Oklahoma experiences, according to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's office. "Oklahoma is committed to being a top ten state for business, and that means using the best tools available," said Gov. Kevin Stitt. "We are equipping our agencies to work smarter, deliver results faster and serve Oklahomans more effectively." The announcement of BEACON lends support to the Governor's most recent appointment of Oklahoma's first Chief AI and Technology Officer, Tai Phan. Phan is set to lead the state's efforts in implementing AI across government. The Governor's office says OMES is moving AI beyond individual pilot projects to enterprise-scale solutions for highlighting 125 agencies, boards, and commissions supported by the state IT team under Phan. BEACON has developed its first solutions known as "lighthouse applications," high-impact projects designed to demonstrate how AI can address real government challenges while establishing reusable models for future innovation. The tools are intended to support employees in improving accuracy when searching for information and helping agencies better serve Oklahomans. "We've spent countless hours reviewing administrative rules to ensure they reflect the intent of the state Legislature and serve the people of Oklahoma," said Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair. "This tool will help us do that work more effectively and ensure government stays accountable." Secretary of Licensing and Regulation Adria Berry participated in early beta testing of the platform and said the technology surpassed expectations and expects it to modernize operations across agencies. "One of the most exciting opportunities is the ability to help agencies review and simplify unnecessary rules and processes that can create confusion for both employees and the public," said Berry. "Tools like this can help make government more effective, more responsive and easier to navigate for Oklahomans." Two lighthouse applications are currently in beta testing: * Administrative Rules Modernization - an AI-powered tool that helps policymakers and state employees review administrative rules, identify opportunities to simplify regulations and support efforts to reduce unnecessary burdens on citizens and businesses. * Procurement Guidance Assistant - an AI-powered tool that provides state employees with real-time guidance on purchasing policies and procedures, helping agencies make informed decisions more efficiently while improving consistency and compliance. Developed by the OMES Information Services division, led by State Chief Information Officer Dan Cronin, the BEACON framework emphasizes human oversight and measurable public value. "Modernization is not optional," said Cronin. "We are building a more agile state government and setting a standard for the nation. BEACON gives Oklahoma agencies the guardrails and the horsepower they need to deploy cutting-edge technology responsibly, efficiently and at scale." BEACON leadership says that as developments continue, modernizing the workforce with responsible innovation is key. "Oklahoma's Accountable Innovation Operating Model helps simplify the complicated AI landscape and focus attention on public value, guiding the state's journey from isolated experimentation to responsible enterprise-scale adoption," Phan said. "Through BEACON, agencies can rapidly build and deploy AI solutions on a secure, governed platform rather than starting from scratch. The platform enables mission-specific innovation while creating reusable capabilities that scale across state government. These initial lighthouse applications demonstrate how BEACON can deliver measurable results today and establish a foundation for sustainable AI adoption."
Aaron Morris named interim director of Health Care Authority by Governor Stitt. Posted: Jul 15, 2026 / 05:16 PM CDT Updated: Jul 15, 2026 / 05:16 PM CDT OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - On Wednesday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt named Aaron Morris as the next interim director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). Governor Stitt's office says Morris brings more than 20 years of financial expertise in the public sector. According to Stitt, Clay Bullard, the current director of OHCA, is stepping down and returning to the private sector, "Clay arrived at the agency at a pivotal time, and his private sector experience was invaluable," said Gov. Stitt. "I am grateful for his service, and I wish him the best as he returns to the private sector." In 2024, Governor Stitt named Morris as the state's chief financial officer. Before that, Morris served as OHCA's CFO, where he was responsible for financial strategy and management. "Aaron has proved to be a steady leader through any challenge," said Gov. Stitt. "As CFO of the State, he has worked carefully to protect our state's savings, navigate complicated budget issues, and assist agencies to increase accountability and transparency. He is a trusted member of my team, and I am grateful that he has agreed to step into the role at OHCA for the remainder of my term." Morris says the role is an absolute honor, "It is a privilege to continue serving my state, and I am grateful for the Governor's confidence in me," said Morris. "I look forward to returning to OHCA and to working to address the budgetary and regulatory issues that face the agency." Morris holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA from Cameron University. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded to Bullard's resignation, citing a pattern of failure at OHCA, "Clay Bullard's resignation comes after a tenure marked by the same Stitt administration failures my office repeatedly had to confront. Oklahomans were promised managed care would lower costs and improve care. Instead, they got denied claims, delayed payments and a governor more interested in defending out-of-state insurance corporations than the people he serves."
Pike Off files lawsuit against OTA, seeks to halt Toby Keith Expressway construction. * Prefer Oudaily on Google * Jun 26, 2026 Updated 18 hrs ago * 1 min to read News managing editor News reporter Stay in the loop. Pike Off OTA filed a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Tuesday, seeking to halt further construction on the Toby Keith Expressway. The lawsuit was filed by Pike Off OTA, an organization fighting turnpike expansion in Oklahoma, and alleges the defendants failed to comply with federal environmental laws governing project construction. The lawsuit seeks to prevent additional bond funding until the required permits, environmental reviews and agency consultations have been completed. The project, also known as the East-West Connector, is part of ACCESS Oklahoma, a long-term plan to upgrade Oklahoma's turnpike system. The Toby Keith Expressway would run from Interstate 44 in Newcastle, crossing the Canadian River to connect with Interstate 35. It would continue into Norman along Indian Hills Road, going northeast to Interstate 40 and connecting to the Kickapoo Turnpike, according to the ACCESS Oklahoma website. The lawsuit claims the construction of the Toby Keith Expressway is negatively affecting U.S. water and endangered species habitats, as well as violates several acts, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Transportation Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. According to the lawsuit, construction has altered protected waterways in the Canadian River by discharging materials into the water and rerouting the waterways. In March 2026, Norman City Council approved a contract between the city and the OTA, which paid the city $8.95 million to relocate water wells and lines in northwest Norman for future construction of the Toby Keith Expressway. * News reporter * 2 min to read Previous lawsuits. In a lawsuit filed against the OTA in May 2022, Pike Off OTA claimed the authority was in violation of State Statute 69 Section 1705, which authorizes where the OTA can propose a toll road. The court ruled that it has exclusive original jurisdiction to determine if the OTA is authorized to construct the turnpikes. Later that month, over 150 Cleveland County residents filed a separate suit claiming the OTA violated the Open Meeting Act. An associate district court judge ruled in favor of the residents, but the Oklahoma Supreme Court later overturned the ruling on the basis that the evidence was legally defective. This story was edited by Audrey McClour. OU Daily standards. See an error? Earning trust is its duty. Oudaily correct errors atop stories. Identify an error, request a takedown or get in touch. Want to comment? Oudaily value dialogue on issues Oudaily cover. On its social media accounts, Oudaily moderate disparagements, arguments and attacks, including those directed at its staff - and ban those repeatedly failing civility. The editor considers guest column submissions. The Queen attends official opening of new roof garden at St George's Hospital Community square.
City of Pauls Valley named Oklahoma Film Friendly Certified Community. The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO), in partnership with the City of Pauls Valley, proudly announces that Pauls Valley has achieved film friendly certification after completing the requirements of OF+MO's Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program. "Our community is proud to be recognized as an Oklahoma Film Friendly Certified Community," said City of Pauls Valley Tourism Director Tawni Huggans. "This designation reflects our commitment to supporting film and television production, welcoming creative industries and showcasing everything that makes our city a great place to live, work and tell stories." Located in south-central Oklahoma along Interstate 35, Pauls Valley offers filmmakers a distinctive blend of small-town charm, historic character and accessible infrastructure. Known for its welcoming community and unique attractions, the city features a variety of visually compelling settings, including its historic downtown district, vintage storefronts and notable landmarks such as the Toy and Action Figure Museum. With convenient access to the Oklahoma City metro and regional resources, Pauls Valley provides an appealing and practical option for productions seeking both authenticity and efficiency. "Pauls Valley represents the kind of community that makes Oklahoma such a versatile and attractive place to film," said OF+MO Director Jeanette Stanton. "The community's character-rich locations, supportive local leadership and proximity to key production resources position it well to attract a wide range of projects while continuing to grow its role in the state's film industry." With its official film friendly designation, Pauls Valley is equipped to support productions of various sizes through local coordination, available accommodations and a community eager to engage with the industry. Home to the Red Brick Road Film Festival, the community has previously welcomed filming on projects including "Braking for Whales," "What Josiah Saw" and "Te Ata" among others. Combined with Oklahoma's competitive film incentives and an experienced statewide workforce, the city is well-positioned to welcome filmmakers and contribute to the continued expansion of the state's creative economy. About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office. Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television, and music production and further develop opportunities for workforce, business, and community growth within these sectors. For more information, including the state's film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org. 06/12/2026 06/10/2026 06/02/2026