Failure of Leadership: The Denial of the Patients’ Bill of Rights in Oklahoma

In a stunning display of special interest influence, the Oklahoma Senate recently blocked House Bill 1013, the Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2023, despite its unanimous House approval. This bill aimed to safeguard patient rights in medical facilities, but the powerful Hospital Association's opposition led to its dismissal. The failure to consider this bill underscores the undue influence of special interests over our legislative process, often at the expense of constituent rights. Lori Brand's family's ordeal during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the devastating human cost of this legislative inaction, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and patient autonomy in healthcare