LINCOLN- Public health versus personal freedom was the central debate during a discussion Wednesday of a bill that would eliminate a requirement that Nebraska communities fluoridate their water supplies. LB147 from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair was up for a public hearing before the Nebraska Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. In all, eight testifiers supported the measure compared to 10 opponents, with an additional 53 submitted comments in support and 105 in opposition.

A 2008 state law required certain Nebraska cities add fluoride to their water supplies, offering a window until 2010 for local governments to opt out of the mandate. Hansen noted that out of the 61 communities that put the issue on the ballot during that window, 49 chose to opt out. "People don't want to be forced to take medications in their water," Hansen said.

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