Governor Stitt Issues Sweeping Order Directing Agencies to Enforce Pro-Life Standards Across State Government

On July 31, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order strengthening Oklahoma's commitment to protecting unborn life by directing state agencies to cease all public funding for any individual or organization affiliated with abortion providers. The order follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which affirmed that states have the right to decide which providers can take part in their Medicaid programs, including the right to block providers connected to abortion.

“Oklahoma is a pro-life state, and our policies should reflect that at every level of our government,” said Governor Stitt. “We won’t allow tax dollars to indirectly subsidize and flow into the abortion industry under the guise of women’s health. My order makes sure every public dollar aligns with our values and supports providers who respect life at every stage.”

The executive order directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to:

• Conduct a full review and revision of provider credentialing standards to ensure all participants align with Oklahoma's pro-life public policy.
• Terminate and refuse to renew any SoonerCare contracts with entities that perform, refer to, or are affiliated with abortion services.
• Require all SoonerCare providers to sign a statement attesting whether they or anyone they’re connected to are involved in abortion-related activities.
• Implement new rules and enforcement mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance.

The order also prohibits all state agencies from providing grants, contracts, or funding of any kind to abortion-affiliated providers directly or indirectly. The OHCA is required to begin rulemaking within 60 days, fully implement revised standards within 120 days, and submit a final report to the Governor’s Office within 150 days outlining enforcement efforts, compliance, and the number of impacted providers.

Executive Order 2025-16 can be found here.