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The public notification process will begin soon to notify SoonerCare providers that rates could be cut by as much as 25 percent effective June 1. The notices are in preparation for the state fiscal year 2017 appropriation. OHCA CEO Nico Gomez said said if the cuts do happen, he's afraid that many providers will close their doors to SoonerCare patients.

The OHCA currently contracts with more than 46,000 providers. In addition to the possibility of providers health cuts, the agency is already limiting all new professional service contracts and has implemented a hiring freeze.