‘Health cards’ going away for many

Having determined that Nevadans working in food service, massage therapy, hair care and tattoo parlors aren't any more or less likely than the public at large to acquire or pass along hepatitis or tuberculosis, the Southern Nevada Health District as of today will eliminate the requirement that local residents landing a food service job show proof of a hepatitis A vaccination, while dropping their "health card" requirement for several other professions altogether.

"There is really no need now (nor any) public health benefit for mandating people who want to work in the food industry have to be vaccinated for hepatitis A," explains Dr. John Middaugh, interim chief health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. "We have almost eradicated hepatitis, and TB is not being detected among the people coming to the district to get health cards. What we are planning and developing is a comprehensive adult immunization program."

Which is fine, so long as no one suggests making it a government requirement for landing a job.

In addition to reducing card requirements for food service workers, the district will drop health card requirements altogether for massage therapists, reflexologists, aestheticians, health club attendants, child care employees, adult group care staff, barbers, and tattoo, body art and permanent makeup artists. Dr. Middaugh explains that employers already require screening for workers in many of those occupations - as is the case with many health care workers - rendering the health district requirement redundant.

"People who go get a tattoo are the ones who should get a hepatitis vaccine before they go get an invasive procedure like that," Dr. Middaugh recommends.

The health district has also implemented an online food safety course applicants can take from home, replacing the need to journey to the health district offices to watch the video - though applicants will still have to pay $20 to watch the show and another $20 for the card.

George Harris, owner of Mundo restaurant in downtown Las Vegas, welcomed the lifting of requirements that had cost each new employee $100 in fees. But restaurant owners do their own training, he says. "The fact of the matter is they are just extracting money out of poor people's hands on the premise the government is allowing you to work," he said. "This isn't about health and safety."

Mr. Harris makes a good point. You can't sue the government if you're injured by someone they've licensed. Those most likely to maintain high standards are those with a direct financial stake in the outcome.

But the health district has taken some sizable steps in the right direction. Now, about those "sheriff's cards" ...