Oklahoma House narrowly and in a largely urban-rural division passed a bill this week to give the governor power over the Tulsa and Oklahoma city-county health departments.
House Bill 2504 inserts the state health commissioner, who is appointed by the governor, into the process of choosing new directors for the state’s two independent health departments. The measure also requires local directors to align priorities with those of the health commissioner, allows the health commissioner to ask for the removal of a local director, and prohibits local health departments from implementing stricter regulations than those of the state.
Majority leader in the House, Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City), told the author of the project, Rep. Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City), that the constituents told him that they don’t want the changes the project would make.
“We are giving the governor veto-proof authority. It looks like a massive seizure of power by the governor – and I know it is not your intention, I am not saying that you are doing this – what do I tell them? , why are they paying the extra property tax money if the state is going to take over? “Echols said.
Kannady said a 2018 report by Governor Mary Fallin’s Joint Public Health Commission calls for “joint governance”. Although that phrase is in the report, she does not recommend any of the proposals in Kannady’s bill, even saying at one point: “Efforts to improve health outcomes should focus on increasing efficiency, encouraging autonomous decision-making in local level to develop community specific partnerships and governance structures that best meet needs. “
Facing intense questioning by Tulsa Democrats about how the legislation was developed, Kannady also said he had been in touch with mayors GT Bynum and David Holt, as well as a person from the Tulsa Department of Health. Kannady said Bynum and Holt talked to the local media about the project.
“You will see that the two mayors were neutral. ‘We don’t necessarily ask for this, but we are OK with the language.’ So, there has to be – proof that there was some communication in Tulsa, “said Kannady.” But I can’t speak to everyone who wants to contribute to this bill. “
A spokesman for Bynum said he had never discussed the legislation with Kannady and opposed the proposal, “unnecessary intervention in the work of the Tulsa Department of Health”.
A THD spokesman said they were unaware of the bill until it was introduced and directed the KWGS to an editorial by Tulsa Health Department Chair of Health, Dr. Ann Paul, in which she described it as “a blatant attempt to overtake and centralize power, placing control in the hands of political appointees with loyalties that will potentially harm the health and safety of Tulsa County residents.”
Governor Kevin Stitt indicated on Thursday that the actions of local departments during the pandemic have been a problem, saying things have changed after his order designating the state health department as the leadership in the response has expired.
“They, I’m sure, did the best they could, but … there was a coordinated approach when you had two health departments doing their own thing,” said Stitt after a press conference on the Oklahoma COVID-19 response.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye said something similar.
“When you have different chains of command, it really only makes the situation more difficult,” said Frye.
During the debate over the bill, Tulsa lawmakers defended THD, saying their actions kept COVID-19 county deaths to a minimum.
“Tulsa County Health Department officials, I know in fact, worked heroically to save lives. Heroically. And this bill looks like retaliation. It looks like a vote of disbelief. Why can’t we have a collaboration that doesn’t involve changing the way directors are appointed? “said Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa).
HB2504 passed 54-41. Few representatives from the metropolitan areas of Tulsa and Oklahoma City voted in favor of the measure.