The interim commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will meet with Gov. Kevin Stitt to examine the state's budget request for the next fiscal year.

Interim Commissioner Greg Slavonic said the department has been faced with financial issues for a long time, and he has had to cut costs in some areas.

Part of those funding cuts involved reducing or eliminating 300 of the 800 contracts between the state and providers.

“I told the providers when I met with them that this was going to be a painful process," Slavonic said. "I told the legislators that, so there shouldn't be any surprises.”

The contracts that were eliminated or reduced are set to end on Oct. 1.

See Full Page