State Health Department Clarifies Concerns Over Privatization Of Public Health Lab

The State Health Department said it wants to clarify concerns that it will privatize the state’s public health lab and the state’s pandemic center.

In a letter provided to the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, interim health commissioner Lance Frye said they’re looking at moving some programs, services and other aspects of the agency to the private sector.

The state health department said it sent the letter to make sure it covered all legal bases.

They said they are exploring a management agreement with a nonprofit subsidiary of the OSU Research Foundation and the lab would remain under the oversight of the state.