SB6095 grants the secretary of health and his designees the authority to issue standing orders or prescriptions for medications, vaccines, and medical devices to address public-health threats, such as diseases or emergencies. These orders allow individuals to access certain treatments without a personal prescription. The authority includes safeguards like consulting local health officers and compliance with licensing requirements.
The Washington State House of Representatives passed SB6095 on February 27, 2024 by a vote of 59 to 37. We have assigned pluses to the nays because granting broad authority to the unelected secretary of health violates a republican form of government as required under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution. Concentrating health-related decision-making in a bureaucrat undermines accountability, bypasses constitutional checks, and risks government overreach. Personal healthcare decisions should remain free from government control, as forcing medical procedures or vaccinations infringes on God-given rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment.