Oklahoma health department layoffs could mean hassles for patients

Patients and nurses in places like Creek County will bear the brunt of the pain.

It likely will take longer to get an appointment at the local health department, and the convenience of a walk-in clinic may disappear.

Some clinics will be only a few sick employees away from shutting for the day.

Services like family planning could be offered in fewer places, forcing some rural patients to make long drives.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced late last year that it would lay off about 10 percent of its workforce. The department is struggling with the aftermath of a financial crunch, allegedly caused by overspending and shifting federal money in questionable ways under former commissioner Terry Cline. He resigned last fall, as did several other top officials in the department.

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