Recent State Legislative Attempts to Restructure Public Health Authority: The Good, The Bad, and The Way Forward

J Law Med Ethics. 2024;52(S1):43-48. doi: 10.1017/jme.2024.70. Epub 2024 Jul 12.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic spurred legal and policy attacks against foundational public health authorities. Act for Public Health - a partnership of public health law organizations - has tracked legislative activity since January 2021. This article describes that activity, highlighting 2023 bills primarily related to vaccine requirements and policy innovations undertaken in the wake of the pandemic. Finally, we preview a legal framework for more equitable and effective public health authority.

Keywords: COVID-19; Equity; Legislation; Public Health Authority; Vaccines.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Health Policy / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Pandemics* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Public Health* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • State Government*
  • United States

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines