At least 26 states have passed laws to permanently limit public health powers, an KHNews AP investigation has found. By LaurenWeberHP annabarryjester. UnderfundedUnderThreat.
A Kaiser Health News review of hundreds of pieces of legislation found that, in all 50 states, legislators have proposed bills to curb such public health powers since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While some governors vetoed bills that passed, at least 26 states pushed through laws that permanently weaken government authority to protect public health. In three additional states, an executive order, ballot initiative or state Supreme Court ruling limited long-held public health powers.
Much of this legislation takes effect as COVID-19 hospitalizations in some areas are climbing to the highest numbers at any point in the pandemic, and children are back in school. “What the people of Arkansas want is the decision to be left in their hands, to them and their family,” Garner said. “It’s time to take the power away from the so-called experts, whose ideas have been woefully inadequate.”
Losing the ability to order quarantines has left Karen Sullivan, health officer for Montana’s Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, terrified about what’s to come, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but for future measles and whooping cough outbreaks. When North Dakota’s legislative session began in January, a long slate of bills sought to rein in public health powers, including one with language similar to ALEC’s. The state didn’t have a health director to argue against the new limits because three had resigned in 2020.
People immediately stopped calling him to report COVID-19 violations, because they knew the county commissioners could overturn his authority. It was “like turning off a light switch,” Welsh said. Public health groups expect further combative legislation. ALEC’s Hauenschild said the group is looking into a Michigan law that allowed the legislature to limit the governor’s emergency powers without Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dr. Oz Says Americans Need Better Physical, Mental Health Due to PandemicDr. Oz says Americans need to improve both their physical and mental health amid COVID pandemic.
Read more »
Newsom soundly defeats California recall attemptThe election provided California voters an opportunity to judge Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ability to lead the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, a worldwide health crisis that has shattered families and livelihoods.
Read more »
Megan Fox Just Debuted New Baby Bangs at the Met Gala Inspired by a Pin-Up Icon*Picks up kitchen scissors to cut bangs pandemic-style* 😅 MetGala
Read more »
Biden to deliver first UN General Assembly speech as president on Sept. 21One year earlier, then-President Donald Trump's final address to the international institution was delivered virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Pandemic pushed more Americans into poverty, but relief cash averted hardship, report saysThe Census Bureau reports the share of Americans living in poverty rose slightly amid the COVID pandemic, but massive relief payments eased problems for many.
Read more »
Jennifer Garner Shared an Emotional Back-to-School-in-a-Pandemic Message'Thank you science for getting us this far and this much closer to health and freedom.'
Read more »