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."
Or at least his hair! Bwahahahaha, Gov. Goodhair.
I agree about the link between autism and vaccines. I haven't read anything either.
My daughter has brain damage, and I'm in online groups with parents of kids with autism. They make some valid points that some vaccines have not been thoroughly tested.
I'm more cautious about reading the side effects of vaccines and figuring out the risks. For example, my daughters and I all have asthma and are in a high risk group for flu problems. We get the flu vaccine every year. My son and husband don't have asthma, so they don't get it (I've also told my husband he is on his own if he gets flu, and he's taking care of my son if he gets it.)
Currently, my daughters are not sexually active, so there is more risk from taking this vaccine. At some point in time, that will change. I just want to make the decision myself.
Chickenpox can lead to encephalitis and death. It ain't just a cute little rash.
Varicella that causes chickenpox is also suspected to be the cause of a number of neurological diseases that affect people later in life. Diseases that you might rather choose to die to escape living with.
Bye all.
Bad net manners not to ping someone when you're talking about them.
You're new here, ain't ya hun ;)
(GRIN!)
Good! Now what's the deal with the pagent-thingy?
:-)
In how many people, and in what risk group.
I'm well aware of the complications with chicken pox. My daughter was on steroids, and if she was exposed to chicken pox while on steroids, it could have been very serious for her.
Therefore, all 3 of my kids have gotten the chicken pox vaccine. It was worth the risks.
We also did this voluntarily, and even though my daughter is high risk for complications I don't think it should be mandatory.
I think little miss pageants are for pedophiles to get off.
(I hate them).
I agree.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,191167,00.html
This is a piece about autism and vaccines. Just FYI, not saying it's the end-all be-all.
I know it's an old saying, but what if it's true that sometimes the cure is worse than the illness?
Who makes the decision for those high risks groups?
It makes you feel very sorry for some kids.
This is really a vaccine that should be saved for adults. It's a shame that we even have to talk about kids getting it.
I understand,
but maybe because I remember polio (SERIOUSLY) and how parents were nearly weeping with joy when the vaccine came out.
We are currently several generations removed from epidemics that took our children in high numbers. So maybe we're a teensy bit spoiled?
Later taters!
I'm so sorry.
I don't like government interference in anything.
Anyone who gets CP is at risk for encephalitis. Vaccination significantly decreases that risk. No vaccine is 100 percent effective as you know.
I am on high doses of steroids on a regular regimine. It's no walk in the park.
Ewww.
The really sick thing is....you're probably right.
(I can't stand them either)
Please document your allegations that Merck did that with this drug or any drug for that matter....are you off your meds to make such an allegation or just trying to make a feeble attempt to bash the Governor??
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