A new report conducted by Scioto Analysis and released by This Land Research and Communications collaborative reveals that raising Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 per hour would lead to improved health outcomes across the Sooner state by raising household incomes, reducing financial stress, supporting healthier behaviors, and increasing access to care.
Highlights from the report show the benefits of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour include:
Preventing approximately 400 deaths annually, including 240 infant deaths, 26 cardiovascular deaths, and 19 suicides.
Improvements of self-reported health status for over 31,000 Oklahoma residents.
Reducing unnecessary emergency room visits by more than 6,000 annually, saving approximately $5 million for Oklahoma taxpayers every year.
Expanding access to healthcare, especially in low-income and rural communities.
“Oklahoma consistently ranks near the bottom in health outcomes, including life expectancy and chronic disease,” Rob Moore, principal analyst at Scioto Analysis, said. “Our policy analysis shows that raising wages could be an effective public health tool—one that saves lives, reduces taxpayer dollars spent on healthcare like unnecessary emergency room visits, and narrows persistent health disparities.”
The report also highlights how a higher minimum wage could reduce financial stress, support healthier behaviors, and allow more Oklahomans to access routine and preventive care, especially in areas where high out-of-pocket costs and healthcare access currently limit treatment options.
“While a minimum wage policy alone cannot solve all health challenges facing Oklahoma families, our analysis suggests that improving wages for working Oklahomans can directly improve health, reduce taxpayer dollars spent on healthcare costs, and generate significant social and economic benefits.” Moore concluded.
The full report, Minimum Wages and Health Outcomes in Oklahoma, is available here.