By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s CFO will lead the state’s Health Care Authority after the current director said he would be stepping down after less than a year in the role.
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday announced he had appointed Aaron Morris, the chief financial officer for the state of Oklahoma, to be the interim director of the agency, which administers the state’s Medicaid program. Morris will serve in the role for the remainder of Stitt’s term as governor.
Stitt said Clay Bullard, the current director, said he planned to return to the private sector. Bullard was appointed as director in October, following experience as a healthcare executive and consultant.
Morris has served as the state CFO since 2024. Prior to that, he spent 20 years working at the Health Care Authority, six of which were as the agency’s CFO.
He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA from Cameron University.
“It is a privilege to continue serving my state, and I am grateful for the Governor’s confidence in me,” Morris said in a statement. “I look forward to returning to OHCA and to working to address the budgetary and regulatory issues that face the agency.”
The Health Care Authority requested nearly half a billion dollars from the Legislature to adjust for changes in the federal dollars coming to the state and address cash flow issues, but was appropriated $250 million. The state attorney general also requested an audit of the agency and said the Health Care Authority hasn’t adequately held accountable some of the companies who administer Oklahoma’s privatized Medicaid program, known as managed care.
It was not immediately clear when Morris would step into the role, nor when Bullard’s last day would be but Bullard will “provide leadership transition support over the coming weeks,” according to a news release.
Stitt said he is grateful that Morris agreed to step into the director role and said he is a trusted member of his team.
“Aaron has proved to be a steady leader through any challenge,” Stitt said in a statement. “As CFO of the State, he has worked carefully to protect our state’s savings, navigate complicated budget issues, and assist agencies to increase accountability and transparency.”
