I have recently been contacted by Governor Stitt's office in response to an email I had sent them. I was informed by the assistant that this situation is a serious matter and my letter was written professionally and is everything needed to catch the attention of our rule makers. I was advised to garner attention to the matter and contact our local representatives. I also forwarded this letter to Representative Eric Roberts and Senator Greg Treat. Rep. Roberts has forwarded my email to the chairman of the Rules Committee.  

See the letter below:

My name is Natalie Cunningham, 

I am currently employed as a medical assistant/laser hair technician and floor manager at The New Laser Light, one of Oklahoma’s oldest and most popular medical spas for the last four years. The owner and acting Physician, Dr. Victoria Johnson, M.D., of which I work under direct supervision is one of very few pioneers in this field that paved the way into aesthetic treatments for Oklahoma. At our workplace we as medical assistants help to care for a high volume of her patients. Over the years of my experience, I have undergone a copious amount of training that includes but is not limited to infection control, safety and sanitation, sterilization, anatomy, medical devices such as laser hair reduction machines, as well as many other medical aesthetic devices. I’ve worked hard to continuously build this education and my career.

The new bill HB #2998, The Laser Hair Removal Act, taking effect November 1st, 2024, excludes and prevents me from performing laser hair reduction treatments as a medical assistant. This has caused harm to my personal livelihood and how I support myself and my family and will be the end of the career I have worked hard for. Not only does it harm me but will harm many Oklahomans in the process.

While I understand the importance of safety regarding these types of treatments, and having only nurses who have studied a broad range of processes within the human body could be helpful, I have been able to focus and specialize in this particular area in understanding the biological process and am equipped with the knowledge necessary to carry these treatments out safely. 

We are currently facing a nationwide shortage of healthcare providers. Nurses are very much needed in our hospitals and urgent care facilities as we endure another unprecedented round of patients who need critical care for sickness and disease amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Oklahoma small businesses will suffer and take much of the brashing, unemployment costs for Oklahoma will soon rise due to this bill and cost even more money at the states expense by putting our highly skilled and properly trained Oklahoman’s out of a job.

I ask that you please reconsider the promulgation of this rule and amend to include medical assistants. 

Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, 

Natalie Cunningham