Public health authority is crucial in protecting Americans from immediate threats like COVID-19 as well as future disasters and crises — but many state legislatures are stripping authority from state and local health departments.
In an op-ed on Governing.com, Sarah de Guia, CEO of ChangeLab Solutions, and Dr. Oxiris Barbot, former commissioner of health for New York City and current ChangeLab Solutions board member, argue that these rushed, reactionary policy changes will harm countless vulnerable Americans — both now and in years to come.
Instead, they suggest, state lawmakers should take steps to reinforce public health authority at state and local levels.
5/18/2021