Please uphold vetoes of SB2298 and HB2584 to protect patient safety

As an Oklahoma physician, I am writing to respectfully urge you to sustain Governor Stitt’s vetoes of SB2298 and HB2584. These bills would grant independent practice authority to mid-level providers, a move that I believe poses significant risks to patient safety and quality of care. While nurse practitioners and physician assistants are valuable members of the healthcare team, their training does not match the depth or breadth of physician education and clinical experience. Independent practice without appropriate physician oversight can fragment care, increase costs through unnecessary testing, and lead to diagnostic errors. Oklahoma patients deserve the highest standard of care — which comes from collaborative, physician-led teams. Please prioritize patient safety and uphold the vetoes of SB2298 and HB2584.