Maurer applauds Nursing Board Staff investigations

March 03, 2008

OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2008
CONTACT: Nick Smith, 503-986-1351

NURSING BOARD STAFF REPORTS UNINVESTIGATED COMPLAINTS,
INCOMPLETE PROBATION FILES, ‘INAPPROPRIATELY’ CLOSED CASES
Rep. Maurer Applauds Actions Taken by Board Staff, Calls for Legislative Auditor

SALEM— Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) today commended recent actions taken by staff of
the Oregon Board of Nursing, which reported the agency had failed to investigate 100
complaints, failed to follow-up on dozens of additional probation files, and had potentially
closed over a hundred more cases “inappropriately.” Board staff wrote House Health Care
Committee members that they’re working to address issues uncovered by a recent personnel
investigation.

“I believe the new executive director and her staff are serious about correcting problems that had
been ignored by the board and the Governor’s administration,” said Rep. Maurer, a member of
the House Health Care Committee. “Last September, Republicans said an administrative shakeup
wasn’t enough to fix the agency and protect the public. We applaud the agency’s diligent
new staff, yet we still believe reforms and additional oversight are needed.”

Rep. Maurer said the Legislature still can’t rely on the Executive Branch to report problems at
state agencies. The Legislature continues to need its own independent auditor to monitor
government performance and examine issues that may threaten public safety.

“Republicans continue to call for a Legislative Audits Office to hold the Executive Branch
accountable,” Rep. Maurer said. “It’s no coincidence the only auditors in state government are
housed in the Executive Branch. The Legislature needs tools such as a legislative auditor to help
repair agencies and regain the public’s trust.”
##

Back to Oregon Press Releases