A tuberculosis outbreak in the Kansas City metro area has prompted lawmakers to consider repealing a key provision of state public health laws that would strip officials of their quarantine power. The bill, which was reintroduced by Republican Senator Michael Murphy, aims to reduce the authority of public health officers and eliminate reporting requirements for infectious diseases.
The Senate Health Committee held a hearing on the bill last week, with supporters arguing that it would increase individual freedoms and limit the power of unelected bureaucrats. However, opponents, including public health officials and educators, countered that the move would compromise the ability to respond effectively to outbreaks.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has described the current TB outbreak as “the largest in the US since 1950s,” with over 140 cases reported so far. Many of these cases have been linked to Wyandotte County, but concerns about immigration and quarantine practices have sparked debate among lawmakers.
Senate Health Committee Chair Beverly Gossage argued that the bill would not affect TB management but would remove reporting requirements for infectious diseases. Opponents warned that this could lead to conflicts in the law and make it harder to respond to outbreaks.
“This is undoing hundreds of years of public health work,” said Randy Bowman, executive director of the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments. “We need mechanisms in place to respond when citizens won’t do the right thing for their communities.”
The bill’s supporters argue that quarantine measures are unnecessary and that individual freedoms should be prioritized. However, opponents point out that public health officials play a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
The fate of the bill remains uncertain as lawmakers continue to debate its merits.
Source: https://eu.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/02/11/lawmakers-consider-repealing-quarantine-power/78386501007