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."
My kids all had the Hepatitis B vaccine because they were babies when the doctors started talking about it. I didn't think about questioning the doctors about it. After I found out about it, I was just shocked that it would be mandated. I was a little naive.
I don't think the Hepatitis B or Gardisol or Chicken Pox should be in the same category as polio, measles or whooping cough.
Because I don't make the rules, but should I become queen I'll get right on it. ;-)
That's better.
I like your style!
Most likely the latter. Look how Parvo came about.
I could go along with that.
You probably have enough to worry about that hammas don't ruin your day before spouting your thoughts about a Texas Governor.
You would feel differently if you were subjected to a stealth mandate.
But these drug companies & CDC working together, plus the authority of the AMA combine to put pressure on our pediatricians, especially, to promote these vaccines.
My children were early teens and the pressure was just 'suggested'.....
..but as in any vaccine, what is first 'suggested' becomes mandatory....it's only a matter of time.
Plus, I had very good pediatricians ....but this is the scenario one of them presented to me to pressure my child in complying with the HepB....
"What if two men were cross country running and one has HepB and he brushes against a thorn on a bush, and the next runner brushes against the same thorn....well, he will get the HepB too"
I'm still shaking my head over that one.
Perhaps you could enlighten me what it is I would feel differently about.....in regard to a stealth mandate......
The Star-Telegram published this early this morning:
Perry needs to listen to will of folks
The Houston Chronicle reported that Merck has donated $6,000 to Perry since 2005 and $38,000 to other legislators and lawmakers.
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This from Medical News Today is pretty interesting too:
Doctors say Perry's vaccine mandate for girls is premature
Among the statement's points is that mandating a vaccine for a disease not spread by casual or occupational contact — and currently only available to one gender — represents a departure from past practice. Such school immunization requirements came into existence, it says, to protect schoolchildren from outbreaks of contagious disease in that setting, not to compel vaccination. (The quickest a vaccine has gone from approval to mandatory in Texas was the chickenpox vaccine, which took 5 1/2 years.)
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Looks like Perry's gambit to join the 'big leagues' in Washington D.C. is STILL blowing up in his face.
If there is any justice in the world he'll be toast before spring.
"(The quickest a vaccine has gone from approval to mandatory in Texas was the chickenpox vaccine, which took 5 1/2 years.)
Looks like Perry's gambit to join the 'big leagues' in Washington D.C. is STILL blowing up in his face.
If there is any justice in the world he'll be toast before spring."
And [happily] spring is just around the corner. I can't believe he'd do this. It's just so flagrant.
Morning Mama - another day, another round. Variation on Willie Nelson's tune:
"Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be lab rats..."
Yep. And here I told myself I would peek at FR until I managed to get some stuff done around the house....(yeah, right)
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Variation on Willie Nelson's tune: "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be lab rats..."
ROFL!
Maybe we should change the lawyer joke to a politician joke-
You know why scientists started using politicians instead of rats in their experiments?
The scientists won't sympathize with them like they do the rats,
and there are some things even a RAT won't do.
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Good Morning to you, too, Lady!
:-)
mark
Thanks MT..... good articles, I hope they keep the pressure on.
Of course not. I think the vaccine is a good idea, provided it's safe. What I oppose is the nanny-state dictating this. This isn't a public health issue in the same way the other discussed diseases are.
You could make the same argument while trying to ban firearms. It's for the chill-drun. This is about parents' freedom to make medical decisions for their children.
Overlooked it the fact that once the vaccine becomes state-mandated, Merck has no liability if the vaccine harms someone.
There are numerous vaccinations required to attend public schools. You think this one is poisoned?
The fact that a vaccine has been developed that can prevent cervical cancer is a gateway development to the study of other virus related/caused cancers. Yes, even HIV.
Wonder what the reaction might be when the virus that causes prostate cancer is isolated and a vaccine is developed for men?
Better yet, lets pretend that male impotence is found to be caused 50% of the time by a virus and a vaccine is developed. Now that would be interesting.
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