OK Group Calls For Resignation, Termination Of State Officials

A group that says it's looking after the safety of Oklahoma's vulnerable nursing home residents makes a strong request to the Governor's office. It's asking for several state officials to resign or be terminated.

Wes Bledsoe, the founder of A Perfect Cause, says they have been trying to meet with the Governor since last March but all of those requests have been denied, until Wednesday when they met with the Governor's staff.

Bledsoe says they wanted to discuss what he claims has been retaliation against citizens who have spoken to the media about failures at a state agency. He says there have also been failures to protect vulnerable residents by letting nursing homes self-investigate serious incidents and he says those carrying out those investigations have failed to accept photographs or video evidence provided as evidence.

Now they want seven state officials to resign. Those officials include Ed Lake, Director of DHS and Dr. Terry Cline, the State Secretary of Health.

"Nobody's in charge of nursing home care in Oklahoma," said Bledsoe. "We have several different agencies that have some thumbprint on this, but nobody is clearly in charge, which is why we have the mess we have."

Bledsoe and A Perfect Cause are giving those seven officials 45 days to meet their demands. If they don't, the group plans to continue with legal action against the state in order to provide safe and appropriate care for loved ones in nursing homes.

Governor Mary Fallin released the following statement to News 9 in response to Bledsoe's request and meeting.

"I take any allegations of abuse or neglect at our nursing home facilities extremely seriously. When my mother was sick, she needed constant care and lived in a nursing home for years. The long-term care services available to her were incredibly important to both of us, as I know they are for many Oklahoma seniors and families. I welcome a constructive conversation about how we can improve safety and care at the state's nursing homes." - Governor Fallin