Dissolve boards, combine agencies...in OK?

The reason Oklahoma is such a Conservative state is because we lived for 100 years totally overwhelmed at the ballot box by Democrats. We suffered the constant "more government, more taxes" mantra day after day. In addition, Oklahoma enjoys more than 35 national tribal governments that operate within the state. Individually we know government here. We see the results and, therefore, vote in increasing numbers for limited government and lower taxes - Republican - to provide leftists media columnists a clue.

However, once elected, officials are subject to the propaganda of agencies in defense of their budgets, staff, perks, and power. It is hard to look people in the eye to tell them they are a waste of taxpaying dollars and they need to find a new job elsewhere. Thus it usually takes a controversy or massive corruption as has been reported by Red Dirt Report's Tim Farley in an ongoing series Tulsa Today is following.

In the latest citing need for improved government efficiency, state Sen. A. J. Griffin filed legislation Tuesday that would dissolve two medical boards and combine them into one as a result of the Oklahoma Medical Board of Licensure and Supervisions crusade against Tulsa surgeon Steven Anagnost. Holy cash cow Batman!

A.J. Griffin and Rob Standridge

Farley writes, "The proposal would eliminate the Oklahoma Medical Board of Licensure and Supervision and the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners.

Lyle Kelsey, executive director for the state medical board, and Deborah Bruce, executive director for the osteopathic examiners, were unavailable for comment Tuesday.

“I’m always interested in legislation that improves government efficiency,” said Griffin, a member of the Senate’s Health and Human Services committee. “I don’t see the difference in DOs and MDs. They perform many of the same functions. There are a lot of specialties in the legal field but only one bar association. It is time to do things differently.”

Dr. Steven Anagnost during his "Red Dirt Report" interview. Photo by Sarah Hussain/Red Dirt Report

Griffin (R-Guthrie) acknowledged that a state medical board case involving Tulsa surgeon Steven Anagnost prompted her, in part, to file Senate Bill 279.

“It (Anagnost case) certainly influenced the process,” she said. “There were a number of people on that board who were poised to make money as a result of that investigation. We want to reduce that kind of influence.”

The bill is likely to receive stiff opposition “by folks who want the status quo,” the senator said.

“There are groups that make money off these associations and boards,” Griffin said. “But the real goal is to have the best medical care for the people of Oklahoma. Behind closed doors everyone is willing to say this (bill) is a good idea, but in public they are reluctant to say that because of the influence by groups like the Oklahoma State Medical Association.”

Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman), chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services committee, said he’s willing to join the discussion about the controversy at the state medical board and the conflicts of interest that were apparent in the Anagnost case.

Photo OKCFox.com. A senate interim study focused on the case of Dr. Steven Anagnost.

“I applaud her (Griffin) for starting the conversation so we can make sense of the whole process,” he said.

Standridge said he attended the September 2014 interim study that addressed problems at the state medical board.

“I listened to both sides and it doesn’t look correct,” he said. “There are conflicts of interest and we should be doing something.”

Click here for more of this story from Red Dirt Report.

Now if there could only be a crisis or corruption in the way Oklahoma organizes school districts someone might ask why Oklahoma has more school districts than California and Texas combined. No! Wait! School administrators need retirement homes. Never mind.