State and Local Industry News OMRF - Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is reportedly responsible for $46 million of Oklahoma's economy.  The research foundation is also responsible for 1,061 jobs as well.  The focus is on Alzheimer's disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease.  OMRF is Oklahoma's only member of the National Academy of Sciences.  As of 2005 a contribution to OMRF qualifies for a 50% tax credit in the State of Oklahoma up to $2,000 in contributions per taxpayer.  This credit is in addition to the deduction allowed for taxpayers who itemize their deductions each year. Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma Senate Study The Oklahoma Senate has conducted a study regarding one of the leading causes of death in the United states - hospital acquired infections.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 2 million infections are acquired each year in hospitals and claim approximately 90,000 lives per year.  The study reveals that patients who acquire an infection as a result of medical care in hospitals spend an average of almost ten additional days in the hospital and incur over $38,000 in additional health care costs.  Read complete Senate Study Oklahoma High Risk Pool - The high risk pool was created to meet the need of Oklahoman's  who are not able to obtain health insurance due to a medical condition.  Address:     PO Box 50429  Midwest City, OK 73140-5429 Phone:        (405) 741-8434 Fax:            (405) 732-8953 Administration for the High Risk Pool - Epoch Group Address:     6717 Shawnee Mission Parkway Overland Park, KS 66202 Phone:        1-800-255-6065 Oklahoma High Risk Pool website