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."
Merck is funding the groups who are aggressively lobbying for this. It seems public health may be a camouflage for the feminists and Merck pushing not very public spirited agendas while no one is looking out for taxpayers and premium payers.
Oh, plus the vaccine is only 70% effective. So, it's not a lot of bang for big bucks.
I have no beef with you. You have an opinion that differs from mine. I've not been rude nor accusatory. I've tried to explain that I have reservations that could be nothing more than "my gut."
If you have no respect for intuition, that's your problem, but I've found mine to be highly reliable.
Posting off.
I quite appreciate your input. It appears some are unable to view all components of this issue objectively. Thankfully, you are not one of them.
"Not one person has thought to mention this is medically unethical."
Actually, if you search by poster, look for mama texan.
As was pointed out, the illness is not communicable in the public sense unless kids are fornicating in school nowadays.
And, it's not epidemic.
This is a disaster, ethically and financially and morally.
You know, some ppl forget the old adage,
"If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."
This doesn't come close to passing the smell test. Anyone who thinks it does has stock in Merck.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
All types of HPV can cause mild Pap test abnormalities which do not have serious consequences. Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. Research has shown that for most women (90 percent), cervical HPV infection becomes undetectable within two years. Although only a small proportion of women have persistent infection, persistent infection with "high-risk" types of HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer.
A Pap test can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix. Regular Pap testing and careful medical follow-up, with treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life threatening cervical cancer.
The Pap test used in U.S. cervical cancer screening programs is responsible for greatly reducing deaths from cervical cancer. For 2004, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 10,520 women will develop invasive cervical cancer and about 3,900 women will die from this disease. Most women who develop invasive cervical cancer have not had regular cervical cancer screening.
There are links at the bottom of the page for those wanting to look up more information to dispell the gardisol myths.
I can only speak for myself but I oppose any politicain or state actor telling what must be done or not done for my kids. I know that parental rights and resonsibilities are hard to wrap your arms around in this day and age but there you have it.
I greatly appreciate your input. That some ppl here would just swallow, hook line and sinker, what these creatures are spoon-feeding is beyond me.
The trials are inconclusive and not nearly extensive enough. Up to 80% of the test groups had pain from the injection and the other side effects weren't nice, either. And, keep in mind that the test group women were 16-26, not at all like 11 and 12 year old girls.
This is a collective mindrape.
Over half of sexually active men in the United States (U.S.) will have HPV at some time in their lives.
About 1% of sexually active men in the U.S. have genital warts at any one time.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 1,530 men will be diagnosed with penile cancer in the U.S. in 2006. In this country, penile cancer accounts for about 0.2% of all cancers in men. It is especially rare in circumcised men.
ACS estimates that about 1,910 men will be diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. The risk for anal cancer is 17 times higher among gay and bisexual men than among heterosexual men. The risk is also higher among men with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV.
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And yet, no vaccine for boys. Striking.
Um..not to pick nits, but you forgot LEGALLY.
(grin)
I sure did! Thanks for fixing it!!!!
Over half of sexually active men in the United States (U.S.) will have HPV at some time in their lives.
About 1% of sexually active men in the U.S. have genital warts at any one time.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 1,530 men will be diagnosed with penile cancer in the U.S. in 2006. In this country, penile cancer accounts for about 0.2% of all cancers in men. It is especially rare in circumcised men.
ACS estimates that about 1,910 men will be diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. The risk for anal cancer is 17 times higher among gay and bisexual men than among heterosexual men. The risk is also higher among men with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV.
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So good I'm posting it again. If this were about containing disease, why are the boys not included??????????
Well the women aren't getting it from toilet seats. If they eliminated it in men then women wouldn't get HPV, nor would "they suffer the debilitating, life altering, even life ending effects".
In any case, I do not think a vaccine for a STD should be mandatory for anyone.
Then why is Hepatitis B vaccine required?
Maybe some of us don't think it should be required either.
Count me in that group.
Me to.
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