State Lawmakers Seek to Remove WHO References from State Law

NASHVILLE — Tennessee legislators have introduced companion bills to remove all references to the World Health Organization (WHO) from state law, designating the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the primary authority for public health emergencies.

The House version of the legislation, filed as House Bill 1226 (HB1226) in the 114th General Assembly, is sponsored by Representative Justin Lafferty of Knoxville. HB1226 proposes replacing WHO references with the CDC in state statutes. Under the bill, a pandemic would need to be declared by the CDC before the Tennessee governor could issue a state of emergency. This would give the governor exclusive jurisdiction to implement executive orders and directives related to the crisis.

In the Senate, the companion bill—SB0669—is sponsored by Senator Kerry Roberts. SB0669 mirrors the House version by amending Titles 7 and 68 to remove references to the WHO, directing that any pandemic declaration be made by the CDC.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee recommended SB0669 for passage on February 19, 2025, with a vote of 8–1. The bill was placed on the Senate Regular Calendar for February 24, 2025. HB1226 was assigned to the House Health Subcommittee for discussion on February 26, 2025.

This move follows President Donald Trump’s decision on January 20, 2025, to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the WHO. This marks the second time Trump has sought to leave the organization, following an attempt during his first term in 2020 that was later reversed by the Biden administration. The 2025 withdrawal, requiring a one-year notice, will take effect on January 20, 2026.

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee argue that the CDC is a more reliable source for public health guidance than the WHO, which they claim has been influenced by international political pressures. Supporters of these bills assert that aligning state law with the CDC ensures that Tennessee’s public health policies are guided by a national agency focused on American interests. They argue that the WHO, as an international body, may not always prioritize the specific needs of the United States.

One lawmaker stated, “It’s imperative that our state’s health directives are based on guidance from our own experts at the CDC, who are directly accountable to the American people.”

Critics warn that severing ties with WHO recommendations could limit Tennessee’s access to global health data and hinder response coordination in future pandemics. Public health officials emphasize that the WHO plays a key role in monitoring disease outbreaks worldwide and facilitating international collaboration.

Dr. Michael Caldwell, former Commissioner of Health for Tennessee, noted, “The WHO provides critical insights into emerging health threats globally. Disconnecting from this resource may leave us less prepared to handle diseases that know no borders.”

Legislative and Financial Implications
In the House, HB1226 remains under review, with floor and committee votes not yet available. In the Senate, SB0669 has advanced through committee and awaits further consideration on the Senate floor. A fiscal note attached to HB1226 indicates that designating the CDC as the sole authority for pandemic declarations may have financial implications, particularly regarding presumptive disability benefits for certain infectious diseases.

The United States is a significant financial contributor to the WHO. While estimates vary, historical contributions have ranged between 15% and 25% of the organization’s core budget. With the planned withdrawal, concerns remain about the potential impact on global health initiatives and funding.

As of February 23, 2025, HB1226 has been referred to the House Health Subcommittee for further deliberation, while SB0669 has passed committee votes and is expected to face debate on the Senate floor in the coming weeks. If passed, Tennessee would become one of the first states to formally remove WHO references from its public health framework.

(Official Source: Tennessee General Assembly, House Bill 1226, www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB1226.pdf)