Fleming advocates for local health departments

INDIANAPOLIS — State Representative Rita Fleming (D-Jeffersonville) spoke out on the House floor against Senate Bill 5 — a piece of legislation restricting local health department action. It would require a county commissioner or a city council to approve any local health restriction that goes further than a state’s during a public health emergency.

Fleming warned of the path that this bill starts to take:

“When there are minor viral illnesses, such as low-grade fevers or a faint rash, it is not seen by the public as a huge threat,” Fleming said. “The 1963 Rubella pandemic was just that. Most kids weren’t very sick, and yet more than 10,000 unborn babies died of prenatal exposure to the virus, and at least 20,000 were injured or born blind, deaf, with cardiac effects or liver damage. The infection would be passed on to the developing baby during a woman’s first trimester, when most women don’t know that they’re pregnant. 

“Today, a mild viral illness might not cause alarm, but public health officials would understand the critical nature of the effect on unborn babies. By the time the appeal process for the city or county councils is completed, significant adverse health effects may occur.

“When we take this power away from health department officials — which I think is more important to babies than bar owners — I think this is very dangerous. 

“It may be necessary in some areas to mandate more stringent measures than the rest of the state because of higher risks. For example, vaccine mandates may be required in workplaces where women who may be pregnant are employed. We don’t know what virus will hit next, how it will affect the public, or what health measures will need to be taken.

“I know this bill was brought forward in good faith. I know people have suffered because of this pandemic. But I think this is a very dangerous course to take.”

The House passed Senate Bill 5, 65-28.