BISMARCK – The North Dakota Legislature is considering a measure that requires the state’s health officer to be a practicing licensed physician.
The Republican-backed bill comes after a trio of health officers hand-picked by Gov. Doug Burgum quit during a time the coronavirus pandemic was worsening. Dirk Wilke, who has no medical training, has been the interim state health officer since September. A spokesman for Burgum says a new health officer will be hired soon, and the “candidate” is a physician from out of state.
The state health officer oversees the Department of Health and implements state laws governing the department.
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