(date) (Congress person’s name, address) RE: Model State Emergency Health Powers Act Dear Congressman/woman________________________ All 50 governors were sent a copy of the "Model State Emergency Health Powers Act" in November 2001. This Act was drafted by the Center for Law and Public Health at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities specifically for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This legislation has been developed in collaboration with the National Governors Association in addition to several other state organizations. A draft of this proposal can be found at http://www.publichealthlaw.net/MSEHPA/MSEHPA.pdf. Please take the time to read ALL 40 pages of this extremely dangerous proposed legislation. Being a state legislator and taking an oath to uphold the state and federal constitutions, we know that you will understand the ramifications of such legislation and vote “no” when it is presented to you for a vote. Among its most egregious aspects are provisions to require forced vaccinations and mandatory medical exams in the event of a declared "state emergency." Those who refuse either of these state-ordered procedures may be charged with a misdemeanor. Those same people can be quarantined in buildings designated by the non-elected "public health authority." Very little legal recourse may be available to those whose lives and health could be shattered by such draconian measures. Among the many reasons to oppose this proposed "model" act are the following: The government’s top bioterrorism expert, Dr. D.A.Henderson, the former head of the global smallpox program, does not think vaccination should be forced on people (http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/November%202001/FedSmallPlanAgressive.htm ). Passage of this legislation would give public health officials and states’ governors the power to arrest, transport, quarantine, drug and vaccinate anyone suspected of carrying a potentially infectious disease. The Act’s definition of infectious disease is that it may or may NOT be transmissible from human to human, animal to human or insect to human. The MSEHPA also gives the state and its officers and agencies almost total immunity from death and injury that may result from state-ordered medical interventions and provides the authority for real and personal property to be commandeered, seized or destroyed without compensation. There are no alternative health options. Persons will accept medical interventions ordered by the state or be charged with a misdemeanor. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 9, 1999, Vol. 281, No. 22, pg. 2132), "It has been estimated that if 1 million people were vaccinated, as many as 250 (1 in 4,000) could die from an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Plans are underway to purchase 300 million doses of smallpox vaccine—each one with "the name of every man, woman and child on it," said HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. This "one-size fits all" approach to public health could cause severe reactions and death in 75,000 people. Other diseases, such as anthrax, are not contagious between humans, and can be treated with antibiotics. The onset of a non-communicable disease is a personal health issue and not a public health concern. It is illogical to force vaccinations on people to prevent the spread of non- communicable diseases. At this time, there are currently no approved vaccinations for most of the some 65 known bio- terror germs/viruses/toxins availableto those who would use them against populations of innocent people. This means that vaccines developed for them would be experimental. Forcing people to be injected with an experimental vaccine is a violation of the Nuremburg Code that states it is an international crime to use human subjects for medical experimentation without their consent. The proposed MSEHPA is built upon the premise that the government should be given the authority to force herd immunity on Americans with dangerous and/or experimental medical procedures. We, as a nation, do not even subject enemy populations to such medically illogical policies. I implore you to PLEASE become aware of this foreboding legislation and VOTE AGAINST IT. Our most basic human and civil rights are at stake. Sincerely, (your name)