(Salt Lake City, UT) — The Office of the Legislative Auditor General is accusing the Department of Health of being “strongly influenced” by the federal government. The audit was conducted at the request of the state Legislature. The report says that the review of the department suggests that it has not proactively sought opportunities to innovate within the boundaries of federal oversight and respond more fully to legislative direction. Officials say one example is that the department hasn’t proposed much legislation over the years. Officials believe this is due to financial incentives for federal funding and they urge the department to balance stakeholder needs and appropriately emphasize legislative priorities.