Health Dept. Director Troubled Over New Bill
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Updated: 5:44 PM Feb 18, 2010
Health Dept. Director Troubled Over New Bill
Dr. Harry Tweel says a new bill designed to allow public to appeal local health regulations is a 'terrible mistake'.
Posted: 5:28 PM Feb 18, 2010
Reporter: Brad Myers
Email Address: Brad.Myers@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ-TV) -- The director of the Cabell-Huntington Health Department says a new bill designed to allow public to appeal local health regulations is a 'terrible mistake'. Dr. Harry Tweel says if the new bill regarding health department's authority to pass laws goes through, his organization and all others like it in the state would suffer.

"This really opens Pandora's box and essentially makes the county commission the board of health," Dr. Tweel said.

Cabell County Commissioner Bob Bailey says the bill is a good thing, and will help citizens decide which health laws are best for the community.

"What Delegate [Doug] Reynolds is trying to do is to pass that bill that says there is an appeal process from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department or any health department in any county," Bailey said. "In other words, when [the health department] make a decision, if the people want to appeal it, they can come before the county commission."

Bailey says it all comes down to giving the power back to the people, but other commissioners in the county are not so sure they are the right entity to make health decisions.

"I don't believe the county commission is the place to appeal decisions made by the health department," Commissioner Nancy Cartmill said. "Those are the folks with expertise to do it, and to send it to a group that doesn't have that expertise doesn't make any sense to me."

Cabell County Commissioner Scott Bias agrees with Cartmill, but says he does feel there is a need for an approval process.

"I don't know if we are the right agency to do the appeals," Bias said. "But, I do believe there should be some appeal process. I don't think a board should be able to pass a law when they don't stand before the people for elections."

Dr. Tweel says if the bill is passed, health departments would no longer be able to protect the public.

"Well, why would you want a health dept then?," Tweel said. "They would be powerless to enforce any regulation."

Latest Comments

Posted by: Confushous on Feb 19, 2010 at 08:05 PM

Man who sews hole in other mans shorts should be careful with needle. Should a man go to work and find his shoes are too big he should consider the fellow whose feet are hurting. Tis it not enough to have worn out shoes yet other men should have you walk in gravel. A cow walking backwards will soon have sticky hoofs. Many a bird will sing song only to sing unto deaf men. And finally... Rulers of men are the likes of ticks on a dogs butt...the dog has no choice but to endure one tick or the other.
Posted by: fred on Feb 19, 2010 at 01:23 PM

Thank God for Doug Reynolds. At last, someone with some common sense. I have been a non-smoker for 15 years; however, I believe that people must have choices. I choose whether or not I want to enter a non-smoking building or not. Recent studies have shown that second-hand smoke is not the problem it was once believed to be. What angers me is that little by little our politicians are removing our free will from us. Nancy Cartmill talks about the "expertise" of the health departments. Check out the members of your health departments. Most are not physicians and have no health care expertise. Most are politicians appointed by their county commissions to pay back a favor. It is time people stood up for their rights and defied these politicians.
Posted by: deloris on Feb 19, 2010 at 12:57 PM

by;dee if dr.tweel is so concern about the public health why doesn't he speak out about all the people who doesn't have health insurance and can'see a dr.because they can't afford it,and if they go to the emergency room oh they won't turn you away but they will only do the necessities so they can have in writing that you were treated.it is know wonder we are voted to be the most unhappy people,where is the compassion of the people that are in control.land of the free.right
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