The Latest in Oklahoma: July 19, 2024
A&A Advocates
Norman Regional Health System will begin its next chapter on July 29, as the HealthPlex will expand to become Norman Regional Hospital. The current hospital facility will move acute care services including the emergency department, intensive care unit, surgery services and inpatient care to the now 694,146-square-foot campus, and it will become the flagship hospital and corporate headquarters for NRHS. The expansion, which is part of the system’s $300 million Inspire Health Strategic Plan, includes a 96-bed critical care tower, ambulatory care center, a larger emergency department with more room and the first-of-its-kind technology in the state to help patients walk again after an event like a stroke or a spinal cord injury.
Oklahoma’s delegates traveled to Milwaukee this week to represent the Sooner State at the Republican National Convention. The delegates, including Oklahoma House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols and former Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Pam Pollard, to the Republican National Convention praised Trump’s vice president choice of Ohio senator J.D. Vance—calling it a home run by the former president.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is appealing the federal halt on state immigration law House Bill 4156, which would criminalize individuals without legal immigration status. The case will move to the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. From there, the U.S. Supreme Court can either hear the case or pitch it back to a lower court for further deliberation.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority cut its staff Tuesday by 10%, letting go between 25 and 30 employees. Executive Director Adria Berry cited a decrease in commercial licenses and a limited appropriated budget. The state Legislature set the agency’s budget for fiscal year 2024 at $37 million. The OMMA requested a 23.7% increase for 2025, or $45.8 million. The Legislature agreed to allocate $41.9 million.
What We’re Watching
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Ellen Buettner will serve as his chief health and mental health advisor in addition to her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
On Monday, Senator Lonnie Paxton was voted as the Senate President Pro-Tem elect.