Posted on 02/06/2007 8:45:52 AM PST by Froufrou
Gov. Rick Perry stood firm Monday against a political firestorm ignited by his order that sixth-grade girls be inoculated against a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer.
Social conservatives from Austin to Washington joined some state lawmakers in calling for Perry to reverse his executive order making Texas the first state to mandate the human papillomavirus vaccine for girls entering sixth grade in September 2008.
Several legislators expressed outrage that Perry circumvented the legislative process. Several bills had been filed to make the HPV shots mandatory for school enrollment.
"This needs closer examination. How much will it cost the state?" Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, said at a news conference.
"Most importantly, as a mother of four daughters I want to make sure our daughters' health is protected and parental rights are preserved."
Another senator, Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, said he'd file legislation to reverse Perry's order, which he said was not in the best interest of the state.
Parents will be able to opt their 11- and 12-year-old daughters out of the program, as they can for other required vaccines.
As speculation swirled about why Perry risked angering his conservative base, political observers said the governor is showing newfound independence and may be trying to raise his national profile as a potential vice presidential candidate.
The governor's spokesman also indicated that first lady Anita Perry's strong support for the vaccine might have played a role in the decision. A former nurse and the daughter of a doctor, Anita Perry works for an organization dealing with sexual assaults.
"I know they have discussed it, and it's something they both feel very strongly about," the spokesman, Robert Black, said.
In a statement, Perry addressed criticism that the vaccine could send a message that teenage sex is permissible.
"Providing the HPV vaccine doesn't promote sexual promiscuity any more than providing the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use," he said.
"If the medical community developed a vaccine for lung cancer, would the same critics oppose it claiming it would encourage smoking?"
Perry's office said it would cost the state $29 million for its share of inoculating students who are uninsured or on government health programs. Federal funds also will be available for children on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Federal health authorities last year recommended girls and young women get the vaccine, which prevents infection by four common strains of the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer years after infection.
Cervical cancer accounts for 3,700 deaths a year in the United States, including nearly 400 in Texas.
House Ways and Means Chairman Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, said he supports the vaccine but noted that other state legislatures have decided not to make it mandatory.
"What kind of deal was made?" asked Keffer, referring to comments by Cathie Adams, president of Texas Eagle Forum, that Perry's political ties with drug company Merck may have influenced the decision.
Perry's office has denied he was influenced by anything other than health concerns. His ex-chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is a lobbyist for Merck and Perry got $6,000 in contributions from the drug manufacturer's political action committee.
Black said Perry and Toomey never discussed the issue, and noted the Merck campaign contributions were relatively small.
"The governor is very pro-life, and he views this as protecting life," Black said. "The human race has never had an opportunity to prevent cancer. Not to pursue that opportunity, the governor believes that would be morally reprehensible."
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick both said Perry did not consult them. Craddick said he didn't have a position on the issue. Dewhurst said he would prefer a voluntary vaccination program.
GOP consultant Royal Masset said he thinks Perry wants to be considered as a national leader. Perry talked about international terrorism and immigration reform in his inaugural address.
"Health care is one of the most powerful issues we're going to be dealing with nationally," Masset said.
Meanwhile, a Christian group knocked the Texas governor in a Washington update mailed to supporters Monday.
Tony Perkins with Family Research Council said, "By commandeering this issue, Gov. Perry, who has championed family values, has only succeeded in arousing more mistrust."
I'm sorry, I do not trust any vaccine/pharm. company these days as I am very suspicous. You never know what it will do to a person later on in their life.
They are pro cancer?
It depends on the research, but that's not the only point.
This HPV vaccine has only had a trial of 22,000 over five years. They don't even know for sure when and/or if boosters are required and how often.
And, at $360 per series per female, it's not something that should have been forced on the populace by executive order, bypassing the legislature or a vote.
Perry is an idiot.
I think Rick Perry is getting a little too big for his britches.
First the Trans Texas Corridor, which is going to displace millions and cost more money than we can imagine. Then when they build that, they will steamroller north into other states that cannot afford nor want the Stupendopus Highway thought process implemented.
Now he is mandating that kids get vaccines the parents are upset about.
Why not make it voluntary, with the state paying for the shots?
Telling me or my kid that this is mandatory will have any kid of mine home schooling in a heartbeat.
I hope this vaccine is all they say that it is. That is a good thing, but no one knows what the long term effects are on it. Cramming it down my throat isn't going to fly.
No different than NAIS for all our animals.
I'd do almost anything to get him impeached. He's had three strikes.
Interesting article on HPV and the myth being played up about the cancer link:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/78/95584.htm
Time to begin the recall election process, Perry is not getting the message.
If an HIV vaccine appeared on the market today I would be very leary of embracing it. It would take many years of testing to ensure that it is (1) effective, (2) safe, (3) not likely to cause mutation of more virulent and resistant superstrains of the virus.
It appears to me that Gardisil has been rushed to the market and Merck is running some very heavy promotion and marketing of this drug and now lobbying government to mandate its use.
The best way to avoid either HPV or HIV is to abstain from sex until marriage and then to remain faithful to one marriage partner. The fact that many people choose instead to engage in risky behavior should not mandate that everybody take a vaccination to protect against others' behavior.
I get really tired of the press on medicaid and people without healthcare. All they have to do is go to the welfare office and sign up. Like any gubmint program, when the $$$ aren't used, they get reduced.
This thing belongs in a clinic where it can be had on a sliding scale based on ability to pay.
Tell me how and sign me up!
Abstinence doesn't prevent this unless you are referring to permanent virginity. An unrealistic assumption IMO.
No, they are pro-choice. Isn't it interesting that organizations that talk about choice and freedom when it comes to abortion (aka "women's health" organizations), think that the government should mandate that 11 y/o girls be forced to get this vaccination regardless of what the parents and the girl's doctor consider the best course of action?
IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I disagree. If a form of cancer can be prevented/eradicated then I am for it.
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