Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services

Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services
Great Seal of Oklahoma
Agency overview
Formed	1986 January 10, 2011
Preceding agency	Oklahoma Secretary of Health Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services
Dissolved	February 1, 2003 – January 10, 2011
Employees	15,591 (FY11)
Annual budget	$8 billion (FY11)
Child agencies	Oklahoma State Department of Health Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Oklahoma Health Care Authority Oklahoma Department of Human Services Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs

The Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public health and public assistance.

History

The position of Secretary of Health and Human Services was established in 1986 by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. The Act directed to the Secretary to oversee all agencies in the State relating to the public health and assistance programs. The position was dissolved on February 1, 2003, by Governor Brad Henry when he split the post into two separate positions: the Oklahoma Secretary of Health concerned with public health protection and the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services concerned with providing public assistance programs.

The position was re-established by Governor Mary Fallin on January 27, 2011, when she dissolved the separate positions of Health Secretary and Human Services Secretary.

Responsibilities

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is the chief public health officer of the State. The Secretary oversees vaccinations, disease prevention, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and emergency health responses. The Secretary also is responsible for regulation of the State health delivery system as well as overseeing the State's Medicaid program. The Secretary has jurisdiction over most public assistance programs offered by the State. Such programs include child care services, senior citizen assistance, child custody services, disability vocational services, and services to the blind and deaf. The Secretary also oversees services to juveniles, both treatment and corrections.

As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Health oversees 15,591 full time employess and is responsible for an annual budger over $8 billion.

Agencies Overseen

The Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees the following State entities:

• Department of Health
• Department of Human Services
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
• Department of Rehabilitation Services
• Health Care Authority
• Office of Juvenile Affairs

List of Secretaries

An incomplete list of Secretaries:

Secretaries of Health and Human Services (1986–2003)

Name	Took Office	Left Office	Governor served under
Ken Lackey	1995	1997	Frank Keating
Jerry Regier	1997	2002
Howard Hendrick	2002	2003

Secretary of Health (2003–2011) Name Took Office Left Office Governor served under Tom Adelson 2003 2004 Brad Henry Terry Cline 2004 2006 Michael Crutcher 2006 2009 Terri L. White 2009 2011

Secretary of Human Services (2003–2011) Name Took Office Left Office Governor served under Howard Hendrick 2003 2011 Brad Henry

Secretaries of Health and Human Services (2011–present)

Name	Took Office	Left Office	Governor served under
Terry Cline	February 1, 2011	Present	Mary Fallin

References

External links