On Sept. 25, the Louisiana State House Select Committee on Homeland Security will meet in Baton Rouge to review the Louisiana state government’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The committee set an agenda that includes a “review of state government actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” The committee will also hear testimonies from select speakers, members of the public and representatives from various state boards, departments and associations. 

The real controversy of the state’s actions surrounding the pandemic comes from the claims that the state government allegedly threatened doctors who disagreed with their actions with losing their licenses. The committee will explore allegations that the state took steps to suppress dissent within the medical community. Some medical professionals reportedly feared retaliation, including the potential loss of their licenses, for challenging state-mandated protocols. 

Republican Rep. Chuck Owen said, “There are physicians who, to this day, are fearful of coming because they are afraid their hospital or the State of Louisiana will come after them.”  

The investigation centers on whether the state’s actions violated constitutional rights, particularly free speech. While governments have broad powers to manage public health emergencies, those powers must be balanced against individual rights. 

In these meetings, the committee will place particular emphasis on any violations of civil liberties during the pandemic. Key areas of focus will include healthcare and hospitals, education at both K-12 and higher levels, actions taken by the executive branch and the impact on the economy. The hearings will focus on balancing the state’s duty to protect public health with the necessity of safeguarding civil liberties. 

The controversy extends beyond the treatment of doctors and violations of civil liberties; the hearings will also include an examination of topics such as quarantine measures, vaccine mandates and masking requirements and other health-related issues. 

As the committee delves into these matters, it will aim to assess not only what went wrong during the height of the pandemic but also how to improve Louisiana’s response to future public health crises. The committee scheduled the hearings to continue on Thursday, Sept. 26, with follow-up sessions planned for October, November and potentially December. These follow-up sessions will focus on correcting past errors and proposing more effective strategies moving forward.