Dale Denwalt
Daily Elk Citian

Gov. Mary Fallin has signed into law a bill that would allow residents of assisted living centers to choose their own pharmacist without paying a penalty.

State Rep. Harold Wright, whose district covers Weatherford and, starting next year, Elk City, filed the bill after a policy initiated by Meridian Senior Living was publicized. Meridian operates Elkwood Assisted Living Center, as well as other centers across the state.

The policy would have forced residents to use the company's chosen - or "preferred" - pharmaceutical provider or pay a $150-per-month fee to use their own. Now, said Wright, that fee will no longer be lawful.

“Assisted living center residents in my district had been given notice that they would have to pay a fee to continue to use their pharmacy of choice, which was often a local, small pharmacist. This new law will support their right to choose their pharmacy of choice, protect local pharmacists from having their business stolen away and protect small communities’ access to health care,” said Wright, R-Weatherford. “Assisted living centers in Oklahoma can have a preferred pharmacy under my bill but
will not be able to penalize residents if they choose not to use it.”

State Sen. Tom Ivester, D-Elk City, helped push the bill through the Senate.

"I think it's a good deal. It kind of felt good" to get it passed," he said. "It presses a concern we had, so I'm really glad. It feels good when you can point to something and say, 'We made a difference.'"

House Bill 2566 would also ban assisted living centers from issuing a fee to residents for using their choice of providers for medical services and supplies. It calls upon the State Board of Health to issue a rule stating, "Such resident rights shall include the freedom of choice regarding any personal attending physicians and all other providers of medical services and supplies without a financial penalty or fee charged by the assisted living center."

State Rep. Purcy Walker, D-Elk City, was a co-author of the bill. The law becomes effective Nov. 1, 2025.