The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday passed House Bill 3644, known as the Blake Burgess Act, in a 36-11 vote, signing off on a package of screening, training and reporting requirements aimed at helping hospitals catch deadly blood clots earlier. The measure is named for Blake Burgess, a 21-year-old University of Oklahoma student who died of a pulmonary embolism after two separate hospital visits did not identify the clot.
What the Blake Burgess Act Would Do
Under the bill, hospitals with emergency departments and ambulatory surgical centers would be required to adopt evidence-based screening and response policies for venous thromboembolism (VTE), provide annual training for non-physician clinical staff and report specified measures to a statewide VTE registry maintained by the State Department of Health. As outlined in the measure, hospitals would begin reporting certain data by July 1, 2027, and the registry would be run through a contract with the state's health-information exchange. The fiscal analysis estimates roughly $150,000 in initial startup costs to develop the training materials and stand up the registry, according to the House fiscal analysis.
Senate Floor Debate and Vote
Debate on the Senate floor ran about half an hour and centered on whether that relatively modest price tag would deliver measurable benefits or simply add paperwork for hospitals. Supporters framed the funding as cheap "preventative maintenance" that could keep patients out of expensive intensive care units, while opponents warned the measure could "complicate the lives of health care providers" without first proving it will improve outcomes. The Senate ultimately approved the bill 36-11, according to KOCO, which reported comments from both critics and backers on the floor.
Bill Named for an OU Student
The legislation was authored in the House by Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, and was named for Burgess, whom Stinson described as a 21-year-old former neighbor and OU student who died from a pulmonary embolism in 2020. In an Oklahoma House release, Stinson called Burgess’s death "a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly and quietly this condition can take a life," and supporters pointed to national data showing VTE is a major and often preventable cause of death. The CDC estimates roughly 60,000 to 100,000 Americans die from VTE each year, a statistic bill backers highlighted while arguing for more training and surveillance.
Next Steps and What To Watch
Because the Senate amended the measure on the floor, it now returns to the House for reconsideration before it can be enrolled and sent to the governor, according to KOCO. Supporters say the registry and mandatory training represent a relatively small investment that could reduce missed VTE cases and save lives, while critics will be watching closely for any added administrative burden on hospitals. Legislative trackers such as LegiScan show the bill's movement through the second session of the 60th Legislature and will reflect any further changes if the House votes again.
