{"id":272,"date":"2025-05-28T21:25:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T21:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calib.pw\/?p=272"},"modified":"2025-05-30T11:53:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T11:53:21","slug":"louisiana-republicans-help-kill-anti-fluoride-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calib.pw\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/louisiana-republicans-help-kill-anti-fluoride-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Republicans help kill anti-fluoride bill"},"content":{"rendered":"
Republicans in the Louisiana House stifled a proposal<\/a> Wednesday that would have banned the addition of fluoride in public water systems \u2014 rejecting a burgeoning movement backed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/p>\n The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee shot down the measure in a 4-11 vote<\/a>, with six Republicans joining five Democrats to defeat the measure. All four members who voted in favor are Republicans.<\/p>\n The proposal would have allowed public fluoridation only if residents petitioned for a vote in their jurisdiction and a majority of registered voters cast ballots in favor \u2014 a notably steep hurdle, particularly in areas with low voter turnout.<\/p>\n The GOP-controlled state Senate advanced Senate Bill 2 in a 24-10 vote last month. The Louisiana Legislature’s regular session runs through June 12<\/a>, so the anti-fluoride measure could be revived.<\/p>\n Florida adopted a law<\/a> this month to ban fluoride in public drinking water, becoming the second state to do so after Utah<\/a>.<\/p>\n The U.S. has supported community water fluoridation programs since the 1940s, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deeming it a safe, cost-effective way to improve oral health.<\/p>\n But Kennedy, whom President Trump appointed to lead the nation’s health care programs earlier this year, has loudly voiced skepticism<\/a> of water fluoridation despite objections from dentists and other health care providers who argue it helps prevent tooth decay.<\/p>\n