HPV vaccine for girls promoted in Maine

[mhatrw]

http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=146316&zoneid=500

A deadly virus that is the most common cause of cervical cancer in women is the target of proposed legislation in Maine. Sen. Lisa Marrache, D-Waterville, has sponsored a measure, LD 137, that would raise public awareness of cervical cancer and promote access to a new vaccine that combats the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Other states that have proposed requiring HPV vaccination for young girls have met with stiff opposition from parents groups and religious conservatives. Marrache’s proposal sidesteps the controversy by focusing on education and funding, leaving it up to families to decide whether their daughters should be vaccinated. ...

Marrache’s proposal would require the state Department of Health and Human Services to provide coverage for the HPV vaccine under the Medicaid program, which is known as MaineCare in Maine, as well as through the Maine Immunization Program. In addition, it would require the state to report vaccination rates, funding status and updated information on the vaccine itself to the Health and Human Services Committee in 2008 and 2010. ...

A second proposal, sponsored by Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, would have made HPV vaccination a requirement for all girls entering sixth grade unless their parents refused. Faircloth said in an interview last week that he supports Marrache’s less thorny bill and has withdrawn his proposal.

[Caoimhe]

1. Ahh here we go again!

:popcorn:

[Justitia]

3. Good Morning! Welcome to Groundhog Day! Can you believe it? -eom

[mhatrw]

5. Here we go, what? I like this model. Why is it controversial for anyone?

I was just reporting some good news for everyone. What is wrong with that?

[mainegreen]

2. I love my state. n/t

[noonwitch]

4. I like the idea of promoting the vaccine, not forcing it on people

Most parents, when presented with the facts, will choose to have their daughters vaccinated. I have a coworker who is a fundamentalist who plans to have her daughter vaccinated, because she understands that her daughter should not have to pay for a mistake by getting cervical cancer.

I just don't like the government forcing parents to get their daughters vaccinated.

[Dirtman 1]

10. Noonwitch

I totally agree and couldn't have said it any better.
When I saw something on this in the news (believe it was in Texas) they had an option for parents to opt-out of the program. I would suggest it should be taken one step further and have it so you could opt-in if you wished.

[theaudacity]

6. WI is doing this too. eom

[Maine-ah]

7. as long as they're not forcing us

but I want more studies/long term effects ect, before I stick my kid with another vaccine.

[mainer]

8. Yay, Maine! There's a reason I live here.

And this is a good demonstration of why.

[Deep Thinker]

9. The Fox Guys wife was on 13

talking about getting her daughters vaccinated. Her name was Dee Dee I think. I thought conservatives were against this idea. Maybe he hasn't completely pulled her over to the dark side yet.

I think getting this vaccination makes common sense and does not encourage young girls to have sex.