Measles outbreak, vaccine skepticism, and health insurance challenges: Oklahoma Doctors speak out

As cases of measles begin to rise across Oklahoma and the surrounding region, medical leaders are sounding the alarm about falling vaccination rates and other obstacles facing patient care.

In an interview on this week's Hot Seat, News 9's Scott Mitchell sat down with Dr. Sumit Nanda, President of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, to discuss the resurgence of infectious diseases and the growing frustration among physicians with the health insurance system.

Doctors Urge Vaccinations as Measles Cases Rise

With measles outbreaks now killing children across the region, Dr. Nanda stressed the urgent need for renewed trust in vaccines.

"We as physicians are advocates of patients. We believe that it's much better to prevent a problem before it gets out of hand. It's much like trying to put out a fire when it's already blazing as opposed to preventing fires," Dr. Nanda said.

Dr. Nanda emphasized the proven effectiveness and safety of vaccines:

"Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to prevent measles outbreaks. No vaccine is 100% foolproof perfect in terms of not having any side effects. However, the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks."

Oklahoma, he said, is not reaching the vaccination levels needed to ensure herd immunity.

"We are vaccinating our children at an 85% rate, which is far below the 95% that's required for herd immunity. So it's vital that our parents are aware of the need for vaccines and children get vaccinated so we can protect our citizens, prevent diseases and prevent death from infectious diseases," Dr. Nanda said.

Doctors Push for Health Insurance Reform

Mitchell noted recent legislative efforts in Oklahoma aimed at addressing delays and barriers in medical approvals.

Dr. Nanda described the challenges doctors face every day:

"It's frustrating for most physicians to have to wait to get approval for necessary, quite ordinary tests and procedures. So insurance companies are sometimes nefarious and capricious in their practices, and add hurdles to us being able to provide necessary care that can change people's lives, save lives, save vision."

Dr. Nanda shared a personal example:

"Many patients drive hours to come see me and they find that they can't get the treatment they need because they don't have a prior authorization, just for example. And that happens daily."

Faster access to testing and treatment, he said, could significantly improve patient outcomes.

"It would be nice that patients would have more ready access to treatments, quicker treatments, and be able to get lab tests faster so that diseases can be diagnosed earlier. Cancer may be diagnosed earlier if we can not have to wait for testing," Dr. Nanda explained.

Hope for Change in Oklahoma

Dr. Nanda praised the progress of House Bill 2144, which recently passed the Oklahoma House and appears to be moving forward in the Senate.

"I'm very grateful that legislators pass the bill in both the house and hopefully soon in the Senate," Dr. Nanda said. "And it will go to the governor's desk and it will hopefully get signed. I'm very excited about this legislation, it will improve the quality of [care]."

House Bill 2144 aims to streamline approval processes, making it easier for patients to receive necessary care without burdensome delays.