50-State "Government Health Powers" website unveiled by Citizens' Council on Health Care

(St. Paul/Minneapolis) - With public health officials scheduled to begin distribution of H1N1 vaccine, the Citizens’ Council on Health Care (CCHC) today releases a new informative website resource for the American people.

"It's critical that all Americans know their individual rights and the government's health powers when it comes to swine flu vaccination, quarantine, pandemics, and public health emergencies," said Twila Brase, president of CCHC.

At www.GovernmentHealthPowers.us, citizens around the country will be able to locate and read their own state laws on vaccination, detention in quarantine, imposed isolation, confiscation of property and use of police officers. The website also contains information on proposed government health care rationing provisions and BioSense, the ongoing 24/7 federal government health surveillance and tracking program.

Brase says, "Government officials and others may claim that individuals have no choice but to be vaccinated. That may or may not be true, depending on what state they live in. The American people need to be well informed and individually empowered as the vaccination program begins. They need to know what their state law actually says and what the consequences, if any, for refusing the vaccine are."

Besides URLs of all 50 state laws, the website includes links to a few key news reports, several pertinent sections of the U.S. Code, illustrative graphics, and links to certain relevant state and federal documents.