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HPV vaccine bill proposed in Pennsylvania
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Science and Tech
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PITTSBURGH (U-WIRE) - Several states have launched legislation regarding the vaccine touted to prevent a sexually transmitted disease and cervical cancer, and Pennsylvania is one of them.
Unlike the mandate issued by executive order in Texas, requiring that school-aged children receive the newly approved human papillomavirus vaccine, the Pennsylvania bill would require insurance companies to cover the cost of the vaccine.
"Similar to many other vaccines, this vaccine is (an) important healthcare issue and should be covered by insurance policies," said Rep. Tony DeLuca, the Democrat who initiated the bill.
"Thirty-two states and D.C., including Pennsylvania, have introduced bills regarding the vaccine or its education to the public," Sen. Jim Ferlo said.
Ferlo said the vaccination is a "common-sense preventative procedure" and that vaccines in general "are a cost-effective way of managing our health care dollar."
Not all Pennsylvania lawmakers agree. Rep. Jerry Stern believes the proposed bill would drive up insurance costs and that the newly approved vaccine needs further review.
The bill must be passed by both the Pennsylvania House and Senate and then signed by the governor to become law, DeLuca confirmed.
The University of Pittsburgh Student Health Services stocks the HPV vaccine, which is available at the university's student health center for $136 per dose, Dr. Elizabeth Wettick, the center's senior physician, said.
The vaccine is given as three injections over a six-month period, according to Gardasil's Web site.
Currently, the Allegheny (Pa.) County Health Department does not have the vaccine. Upon availability, it will cost $130 per dose, Guillermo Cole, spokesperson for the department, said.
Pennsylvania Rep. Thomas Petrone does not support the Texan decision to make the vaccine mandatory for school-age girls.
"It should be a parent's decision," he said.
However, Dr. Martha Terry, senior research associate at Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health, disagrees.
Unlike the mandate issued by executive order in Texas, requiring that school-aged children receive the newly approved human papillomavirus vaccine, the Pennsylvania bill would require insurance companies to cover the cost of the vaccine.
"Similar to many other vaccines, this vaccine is (an) important healthcare issue and should be covered by insurance policies," said Rep. Tony DeLuca, the Democrat who initiated the bill.
"Thirty-two states and D.C., including Pennsylvania, have introduced bills regarding the vaccine or its education to the public," Sen. Jim Ferlo said.
Ferlo said the vaccination is a "common-sense preventative procedure" and that vaccines in general "are a cost-effective way of managing our health care dollar."
Not all Pennsylvania lawmakers agree. Rep. Jerry Stern believes the proposed bill would drive up insurance costs and that the newly approved vaccine needs further review.
The bill must be passed by both the Pennsylvania House and Senate and then signed by the governor to become law, DeLuca confirmed.
The University of Pittsburgh Student Health Services stocks the HPV vaccine, which is available at the university's student health center for $136 per dose, Dr. Elizabeth Wettick, the center's senior physician, said.
The vaccine is given as three injections over a six-month period, according to Gardasil's Web site.
Currently, the Allegheny (Pa.) County Health Department does not have the vaccine. Upon availability, it will cost $130 per dose, Guillermo Cole, spokesperson for the department, said.
Pennsylvania Rep. Thomas Petrone does not support the Texan decision to make the vaccine mandatory for school-age girls.
"It should be a parent's decision," he said.
However, Dr. Martha Terry, senior research associate at Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health, disagrees.
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