Tulsa health brief: Flu forecast, VA claims clinic, and Medicaid eligibility bills

ByBrian “Weence” Bateman

Tulsa, OK – March 4, 2026 – Flu remains a factor as CDC forecasts a possible dip in hospital admissions, while VA enrollment and policy move.

Tulsa-area clinics and hospitals are still navigating winter respiratory season, while new updates this week touched veterans’ access to care and state rules tied to taxpayer-funded health coverage.

Outbreak watch: CDC forecasts a possible easing in flu hospital admissions

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted a new FluSight update on Feb. 27 projecting that weekly, laboratory-confirmed influenza hospital admissions will likely decrease nationally in the week ending March 7. The agency’s ensemble forecast placed the expected range between 3,700 and 22,000 admissions for that week.

CDC noted that forecasts combine multiple models and can be less reliable during rapid changes in trends. The update also flagged that lower hospital reporting rates in some jurisdictions can affect forecast validity.

Tulsa access to care: VA claims and enrollment clinic scheduled for March 26

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs listed a Veterans Claims Clinic and VA Health Care Enrollment event in Tulsa for March 26, running from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is scheduled at the VFW, 1109 East 6th Street.

Organizers described the clinic as a place for veterans to get help with claims and enrollment-related needs in a single stop, as agencies continue outreach tied to the PACT Act.

Health coverage policy: SECURE Act bills advance in the Oklahoma House

At the state Capitol, Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced House passage of two measures described as part of the state’s SECURE Act approach to eligibility enforcement for taxpayer-funded assistance programs. The post said House Bills 4422 and 4423 address verification requirements and eligibility standards for programs that include Medicaid and WIC, along with SNAP and TANF.

According to the House announcement, the bills next move to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/flu-forecasting/data-vis/02182026-flu-forecasts.html
https://oklahoma.gov/veterans/events/2026/march/pact-act.html
https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20260226_5

If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.

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Brian “Weence” Bateman is a health and medical writer who covers public health updates, healthcare policy, and medical developments affecting communities across the United States. He works closely with dentists and healthcare providers and focuses on making complex medical information clear, accurate, and useful for everyday readers.