Final answer:
A state government's ability to regulate health and safety is referred to as police powers, based on the 10th Amendment. States use this power to create and enforce a wide array of public welfare laws. The balance of power between state and federal governments can create tension, as seen in healthcare policy discussions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A state government's ability to regulate the health and safety of its citizens is referred to as police powers. These powers are based on the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which grants states all powers not specifically delegated to the federal government. States use their police powers to enforce laws and regulations that protect the public's well-being, such as those concerning marriage, public schools, professional licensing, and public safety.
One vivid example of the exercise of state police powers is the regulation of highway safety, including laws against cellphone use while driving. Moreover, the states play a key role in licensing various professionals—doctors, attorneys, plumbers, teachers—that operate within their jurisdictions. This is a crucial aspect of maintaining standards for health and safety within the state.
In some matters, there is a dynamic tension between state powers and federal powers, as seen in debates over healthcare policies like the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Supreme Court often plays a central role in determining how power is distributed within the federalist system, ensuring that state sovereignty is balanced against the powers of the national government.