Policy in Pink

In the first-ever LIVE episode of Policy in Pink, recorded at the OPHA Conference, we tackle STI criminalization in Oklahoma—because nothing says “public health” like criminalizing health. Tommy teams up with Jeremy Simmons from HOPE Testing to break down how century-old laws still turn common infections into crimes, and how a recent bill nearly made having HPV a felony that could cost you your ri...

In parts of Oklahoma, pregnant women who ask for help with substance use risk being jailed instead of getting proper care. Eliza Washington-Harris and Caitlin Beasley from Metriarch explain how locking up moms doesn’t fix addiction—it just tears families apart and makes women too scared to be honest with their doctors, putting prenatal health at risk. Their research shows that suppo...

In this episode, we chat with Kelsey Mishkin Gardner, Deputy Chief of Staff for Representative Raúl Grijalva. Kelsey discusses her journey from Oklahoma to Congress, her work on health policy and environmental issues, and the importance of tribal sovereignty and Medicaid expansion. She offers advice on securing federal grants, emphasizing coalition-building and strategic communication. We also tou...

In this episode, Kimberly Molitor, the Executive Director of Teen Empower, sets the record straight about sex education: it definitely needs a rebrand because it's so much more that that! We talk about how Teen Empower helps teens navigate healthy relationships, manage risky situations, and understand their bodies and health—while avoiding legal trouble for STI transmission. In Oklahoma, where sex...

Have you ever thought about what fuels your passion for "public health"? Co-chairs of the Policy Caucus of the Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA), McKenzie Cowlbeck and Stephanie Mansour, hadn't until they sat down for this interview. Ironically, they are among the few who didn't stumble into the policy field by accident. Join us as two dedicated public health advocates discuss their public...

According to Linley Faye Smith, ending period poverty is simple. Just get products into the hands of those who need them, duh. However, if visible sweat on a humid Oklahoma day is any indication, it isn't that easy. Period OKC started with Linley giving out tampons and pads from her car during the pandemic. Now, the organization provides thousands of products to anyone who can reach their OKC loca...

What's one way to improve maternal health outcomes? According to Omare Jimmerson, it's community doulas and a fiercely passionate team (and probably a couple of calming breaths). Omare and the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative have long espoused the benefits of community doulas, and last year they achieved a milestone many had only hoped for: SoonerCare coverage for doula services. (party fog horn noi...

Oklahoma's 5-year long will-they-won't-they relationship with cutting the grocery tax is exhausting. But now that it's passed, is cutting the tax all rainbows and sunshine like it sounds? Of course not. When is policy ever that easy? But that's why Emma Morris (formerly with OK Policy) graciously sat down with me to "check-out" the budget impacts of cutting the taxes and how targeted alternatives...

The Oklahoma capitol is a full-on Monet. Picturesque from afar, but it's a big old mess up close and inside. And who better than to glide through the bustle than your favorite hot pink women's health policy enthusiast–Metriarch! Every other week (mostly), we'll bring you the context of proposed bills and policies by asking…wait for it…the people doing the work! Legislators are making crucial decis...