Governor Kelly last week signed Senate Bill 40. Part of the changes to the bill include limiting powers of local health officers related to public health orders while allowing elected officials to intervene. 

Dr. Lee Norman says he thinks the legislature is trying to change what has been successful, century-long public health practices by interfering with case investigation and contact tracing.

“Taking away the authorities of the state health officials such as myself and the county health officials and leaving it to untrained medical people to make those decisions I think is very short sided and ill-advised." Dr. Norman said.

Dr. Norman says it’s important to remember COVID-19 isn’t the only health emergency in Kansas. Right now we’re seeing a syphilis outbreak along with other major wellness issues.

“We have over 400 Hepatitis A cases in less than a 12-month period and we normally have 10. All of these take the same public health measures of case investigation and contract tracing and it’s not a time to throw a bunch of obstacles in front of public health officials," Dr. Norman warned. 

Dr. Norman says with the changes made in SB 40, it will be harder to recruit and retain public health representatives for communities all across the state.

“I think the legislature should stay involved and have conversations, but not do what it can do to derail long-standing, very successful public health interventions," Dr. Norman said.

People we talked to in Wichita today say they hope medically trained professionals have more authority over our health than elected officials.

“Let’s say you elect me, would you trust me or would you trust a doctor? It’s common sense really,” says Henry Vo, Wichita resident.