Lawmakers upset after Gov. Stitt brings family member into Friesen fallout
'It's just not going to work. So I urge a yes vote,' said the author of SCR 12, Senator Paul Rosino (R-Oklahoma City).
Rosino headed a resolution that would remove Commissioner Friesen from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Numerous issues, including the disappearance of millions of dollars and layoffs, have marked her tenure as leader of the agency.
For almost two months, there have been hearings and press conferences to address the many issues.
Throughout that time, Governor Stitt has seemed to stand by her side. When asked about her leadership, he said many times that she got rid of previous staff members and uprooted problems, and that is why the current issues are being found.
On Thursday, when there was a rumor that lawmakers were going to bring up a resolution to remove her, and with it came a statement from the governor that lawmakers did not agree with.
'From the start, this was nothing more than a politically motivated witch hunt. I tasked Allie Friesen with bringing accountability and transparency to the agency. She disturbed the status quo and questioned long-held practices at the agency. An agency rife with sweetheart deals and criminal elements was disrupted, and now, elected officials are quickly working to set the apple cart right for those who seek to get rich off of Oklahoma taxpayers. Josh West and Paul Rosino need to first answer what they stand to gain from Allie Friesen being removed. What are they trying to keep covered up? What conflicts of interest are they trying to hide? Is Senator Rosino trying to help his wife avoid responsibility for her role in the finance department there? Oklahomans deserve answers,' said Gov. Stitt in a statement.
The resolution came up for a vote on the Senate floor late Thursday, and with it were several statements from Senators shaming that anyone would bring up a family member with the vote to remove Commissioner Friesen.
Senate votes to remove ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen, will now go through the House
Senator Shane Jett (R-Shawnee), however, was not upset about that sort of statement and instead asked the question the governor seemed to be posing.
'Reports in the media indicate that there is a spouse who works in this department. Is that true?' asked Senator Jett.
Several other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle spoke out against that question even being brought up.
'I will cut your throat to protect my district, don't get me wrong. But we have, there are standards, there are rules, and we leave family out of it,' said Senator Casey Murdoc (R-Felt).
'We keep family out of it,' said Senator Aaron Reinhardt (R-Jenks).
'What a vicious and callous attack on one of the kindest, nicest, and most Christian women I've ever met,' said Senator Rosino.
In the end, the Senate passed the resolution with Senator Jett being the only no vote.
Then it went to the House, where a small handful of representatives voted no.
'ODMHSAS has taken decisive steps in recent months to confront long-standing operational and financial challenges, proactively seeking oversight and support from the executive branch, the Legislature, and independent auditors, accountants, and investigators.
While many of these reviews are still in progress, ODMHSAS has already begun implementing initial recommendations. Experts have advised that fully addressing the agency's entrenched systemic issues will require at least 18 months of sustained effort.
Though the path ahead is challenging, ODMHSAS is staffed by deeply committed public servants. Our leadership remains focused on working in partnership with Governor Stitt, legislative leaders, and the governing board to uphold a shared commitment to transparency, meaningful reform, and improved care for Oklahoma's most vulnerable citizens.'
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Electrophysiology Market, valued at US$11.41 billion in 2024, stood at US$12.55 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 11.6% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$21.72 billion by the end of the period. The rise of the electrophysiology market can be attributed to several drivers: the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation; patients and healthcare providers are increasingly favoring minimally invasive procedures over traditional surgical interventions; electrophysiological techniques, such as catheter ablation, offer less invasive options for treating certain cardiac arrhythmias; and government support and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and funding research and development in electrophysiology also contribute to market growth. Download PDF Brochure: Browse in-depth TOC on "Electrophysiology Market" 322 - Tables62 - Figures330 - Pages By product, in 2024, electrophysiology ablation catheters are expected to be the leading segment in the medical device market. This anticipated growth is largely driven by the rising global prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and various cardiac arrhythmias, which has increased the demand for minimally invasive ablation techniques. Recent technological advancements in catheter design, such as the introduction of contact force-sensing mechanisms, irrigated-tip designs, and high-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation systems, have greatly enhanced procedural safety, precision, and clinical outcomes. These innovations are contributing to wider acceptance and increased utilization of these catheters within the medical community. By indication, the electrophysiology market, divided by medical indications, includes segments such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia. Atrial flutter, characterized by rapid heartbeats from the atria, is increasingly common, especially among the elderly, due to age-related cardiac changes. This rising prevalence has created a demand for advanced diagnosis and treatment options tailored to atrial flutter. Innovations in catheter ablation, advanced imaging techniques, and new pharmacological therapies reflect the urgency for effective arrhythmia management in an aging population. By geography, in 2024, North America, primarily the US and Canada, is set for significant growth in the medical technology market. The region is a global leader in medical innovations, especially in electrophysiology, often adopting breakthroughs ahead of others. With some of the highest healthcare spending globally, the US influences the uptake of advanced medical technologies, enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Strong A investment in research and development fosters innovation and creates a robust marketplace for new products and services, solidifying North America's role as a key driver of growth in the medical technology sector. Request Sample Pages : As of 2024, prominent players in the electrophysiology market are Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (US), Abbott (US), Medtronic (Ireland), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), GE Healthcare (US), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), Japan Lifeline Co., Ltd (Japan), Stereotaxis, Inc. (US), MicroPort Scientific Corporation (China), and BIOTRONIK (Germany). Abbott (US): Abbott Laboratories is a comprehensive healthcare company that operates across diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and nutrition. The company has established a significant presence in electrophysiology, particularly in the development of advanced medical devices for cardiac electrophysiology procedures. Abbott's portfolio in this specialized market includes sophisticated mapping systems, electrophysiology catheters, and related technologies designed for the precise diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias. Furthermore, Abbott is likely engaged in ongoing research and development initiatives aimed at innovating and enhancing electrophysiological technologies to improve patient outcomes and procedural efficiencies. Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) Koninklijke Philips N.V. Philips, a Netherlands-based multinational company, is a significant player in the healthcare sector, particularly within medical technology. The company develops an extensive range of products that enhance capabilities in cardiology, patient monitoring, diagnostic imaging, and electrophysiology. In the electrophysiology domain, Philips offers advanced solutions aimed at the identification and management of cardiac arrhythmias. This product suite includes high-precision imaging technologies, advanced mapping systems, and specialized electrophysiology catheters, all essential tools utilized by cardiology professionals. Key offerings include the EP WorkMate system, which serves as a comprehensive electrophysiology recording and reporting platform, facilitating efficient data capture and analysis during procedures. Additionally, Philips has introduced state-of-the-art X-ray imaging systems designed for enhanced visualization during electrophysiological interventions. The EP Navigator and EP-XT Mapping system are also part of their innovative portfolio, providing clinicians with advanced three-dimensional mapping capabilities that improve procedural accuracy and patient outcomes. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Defibrillator Market Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market Ablation Technology Market Catheters Market Digital X-ray Market Get access to the latest updates on Electrophysiology Companies and Electrophysiology Market Size About MarketsandMarkets™: MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. 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