Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://newsandtribune.com/local/x703143860/State-reverses-records-refusal-over-fatal-West-Nile-case
October 21, 2013
State reverses records refusal over fatal West Nile case
Public health concerns prompts release
By ARTHUR FOULKES [Terre Haute] Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE ? The fatal case of West Nile Virus in Vigo County comes amid a larger state debate about public access to death certificates...
...?Access to public records are vitally important to our republican form of government ? and this split authority regarding the [public records law] should be resolved? by the Supreme Court, Zoeller?s brief concludes.
Steve Key, general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation, agrees with Zoeller, noting that the recent appeals court ruling has confused the issue of whether death certificates are public documents or not.
?There are now two conflicting appellate court arguments,? Key said. ?We believe that the first court decision [finding death certificates were public documents] was correct based on the state statutes ? and from a public policy standpoint.?
Access to information concerning causes of death can alert authorities or the public to clusters of diseases or health problems that might require public policy action, he said...
October 21, 2013
State reverses records refusal over fatal West Nile case
Public health concerns prompts release
By ARTHUR FOULKES [Terre Haute] Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE ? The fatal case of West Nile Virus in Vigo County comes amid a larger state debate about public access to death certificates...
...?Access to public records are vitally important to our republican form of government ? and this split authority regarding the [public records law] should be resolved? by the Supreme Court, Zoeller?s brief concludes.
Steve Key, general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation, agrees with Zoeller, noting that the recent appeals court ruling has confused the issue of whether death certificates are public documents or not.
?There are now two conflicting appellate court arguments,? Key said. ?We believe that the first court decision [finding death certificates were public documents] was correct based on the state statutes ? and from a public policy standpoint.?
Access to information concerning causes of death can alert authorities or the public to clusters of diseases or health problems that might require public policy action, he said...