State / Federal rights versus Individual Rights: Which Right is the Supreme Right? This comes up time and time again in health care. Think: woman’s right to choose as one example) and here we go again with pediatric vaccines. At least eight states, including some that have experienced measles outbreaks this year, want to remove personal exemptions for the measles vaccine. And some states would remove the exemption for all vaccines. Like all personal choice issues, the broad question of ‘How far should the state reach to over-ride personal choice?’ is a thorny one. Vaccines, indoor smoking, women’s right to choose, are just a few examples of how State or Federal agencies reach into personal health policy. And at times—depending on the issue—you might want the government to stay away from having any influence on type of personal choice and one another medical topic you might want the government to have a heavy hand. We are a complex and inconsistent society. Selected Excerpt: ‘courts have repeatedly held that when a public health intervention is necessary to safeguard the public, individuals generally can be required to give up some personal liberty, particularly if that liberty is tied to a government benefit like school.’ …see more