Bill moves forward to change Oklahoma Health Commissioner requirements

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Throughout the pandemic we heard loads from Oklahoma State Division of Well being officers. Now, a invoice is on the way in which to alter the State Well being Commissioner’s {qualifications}.

Supporters of SB 709 say altering the {qualifications} widens the pool of candidates. These opposed say it provides the Oklahoma Governor to many loopholes to call somebody that’s not certified.

“In 2019, the legislature made an ill-informed determination to neuter the effectiveness of the company board for the Division of Well being, taking away all oversite capabilities for that company board and changing it with what I discuss with as ‘mates of the governor,” mentioned Rep. Andy Fugate.

Opponents say that’s the origin of SB 709. The measure was debated and handed on the Home ground on Wednesday. Presently a candidate for Well being Commissioner would wish an MD, DO, Doctorate of Public Well being or a Grasp of Science with expertise managing a big state company or undertaking. This invoice would change the requirement to any Grasp’s diploma.

“By broadening this just a bit bit, we’re increasing the potential pool of candidates.” mentioned Rep. Cindy Roe of Lindsay.

“Wouldn’t we be higher off ensuring folks in place of authority on this discipline know what sort of inquiries to ask, as a result of they’ve the correct background? “ requested Rep. John Waldron.

However the payments writer says that’s why, consulting with the State Well being Division and the Oklahoma Medical Affiliation, SB 709 would create a chief medical officer place, appointed by the commissioner.

“Should you take a look at a hospital administrator, as an illustration, that’s sometimes not a doctor. It’s simply somebody overseeing the general hospital operations,” mentioned Roe.

“These adjustments took place when there have been sure heads of well being businesses that wished masks versus those that didn’t.” mentioned Rep. Regina Goodwin.

Opponents say this invoice is politically pushed. In 2020, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s appointment of Gary Cox as Well being Commissioner was shot down by the State Senate when Cox didn’t meet listed necessities.. Some say the governor has a monitor report of this, naming an unqualified candidate to go up the Land Workplace and an individual with no faculty diploma to the State Regents for Larger Training.

“The Governor ought to solid a imaginative and prescient that folks can get on board with as a substitute of getting a governor go round and put their very own hand-picked folks in to do his or her bidding,” mentioned Fugate.

The Governor’s Workplace declined to touch upon the invoice. The State Division of Well being issued the next assertion to KFOR:

“SB 709 doesn’t eradicate any current {qualifications} for the state commissioner of well being. Nevertheless, it does present an exemption ought to the candidate have a grasp’s diploma and expertise in administration of state businesses or massive tasks. This permits for extra flexibility and opens the choice to a broader pool of candidates to select from when figuring out who leads the State Division of Well being. Much like frequent hospital management construction, OSDH maintains a Chief Medical Officer to make sure medical experience is at all times built-in into the management group, if handed, this invoice would make sure that continues.”

OSDH SPOKESPERSON

Though not formally an appointee, proper now Interim Well being Commissioner Keith Reed wouldn’t qualify for the everlasting job, however with the rule change he would.

SB 709 now strikes on to the governor’s desk.