Both houses of the Legislature have passed a bill placing checks on decisions made by local health departments, but there are some differences between the versions passed by the House and Senate.
Senate Bill 12 goes back to senators, where they can accept the changes made by the House or try to work out the differences.
On MetroNews’ “Talkline” today, Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo expressed his continued support for the bill.
“I think it just gives some local control,” said Takubo, R-Kanawha, a doctor.
“It gives some control back down to the local level. Boards of health are still making policies. County commissioners are still appointing those members to the board of health. But if there’s a controversial issue that comes up with people that locality doesn’t like, it gives them a say in that. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”
Senator @DrTomTakubo (R-Kanawha), Senate Majority Leader on SB 12, talks with @HoppyKercheval about the bill giving county commissions or county councils final say on local health department rules. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/gu7YFL76Q8
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) February 26, 2021
The House passed the bill 63-33 today.
The gist of the bill is about the same either way, giving local elected officials more control over the actions of community health departments.
Members of the Republican majority said that will provide greater say-so by the public through their elected representatives.
“We’re not asking them to make public health decisions,” said House Health Chairman Jeff Pack, R-Raleigh, who said the the responsibility is oversight instead. “It is inherently democratic that these rules come before an elected body.”
Democrats counted that the bill would allow greater exposure of health departments to political whims.
“This action removes the autonomy of the local board of health,” said Delegate Lisa Zukoff, D-Marshall. “These bills are asking commissioners to become experts.”
The original version of the bill would require county commissions and other health-appointing agencies like city governments to approve or disapprove rules passed by local health boards. It would require a public comment period on new or amended rules. It also requires health boards to post new rules on the State Register.
An amendment passed on the House floor on Thursday essentially substituted a version of the bill originally passed by the House Health Committee into the version passed by the Senate. One difference is that the House version wouldn’t require immediate approval by local government if the health board establishes a policy to deal with an active emergency.
Delegate Heather Glasko-Tully, R-Nicholas, said health boards would benefit from more involvement of other local, elected officials.
“All health departments are not created equal. Some are smaller and have less resources,” said Glasko-Tully, a nurse practitioner. “It’s going to strengthen the system as a whole. I urge passage”
Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, pointed to some delegates who have not been wearing masks during floor sessions. He indicated they can’t be trusted to abide by health rules on the House floor — making a point that political officials may not always use their best judgment about local health policies.
“We need fewer politicians involved in our public health,” Fluharty said.
“Now we’re saying let’s get more politicians involved. I’ll stick with the professionals and not the politicians.”