Illinois: Lawmaker Champions Cancer Vaccine, Reveals Her Story

State Sen. Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete), who recently revealed she was treated for precancerous cells on her cervix, is writing legislation that would require all Illinois girls to be inoculated against human papillomavirus (HPV) at age 11 or 12, as recommended by CDC. The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against the four HPV types that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. Halvorson wants the state to pay for the shots for girls not covered by insurance. She plans to introduce the bill early next year.

"It is our responsibility as policy people to make sure we raise awareness and do whatever we can to eliminate cancer," Halvorson said.

Halvorson, the state's first female Senate majority leader, said she would make it her mission to increase the budget so the money will be there should the vaccine become mandatory.

Michigan recently proposed a law requiring Gardasil vaccinations -- administered in three shots over six months -- with exceptions allowed for medical, moral or philosophical reasons. Halvorson said her bill will probably include similar language. Michigan legislators could soon vote on the measure; Illinois lawmakers cannot vote on Halvorson's bill until January at the earliest.

Halvorson and her staff are gathering data on how many 11- and 12-year-old girls would not be covered by insurance and how much funding Illinois can expect from the federal Vaccines for Children program. Census data show the state had about 90,000 11-year-old girls and 90,000 12-year-old girls in 2005. The Census estimated about 10 percent of Illinois children are uninsured. Vaccinating 9,000 uninsured girls each year could cost more than $3 million.

"I really believe if we bite the bullet and do this, we could do it in one generation," Halvorson said. "This isn't about sex. This is about cancer."

Back to other news for September 27, 2006