Rep. Dianne White Delisi Looks Forward To HPV Public Hearing

[Press Release from State Rep. Dianne Delisi (R-Temple)]

Austin – State Rep. Dianne White Delisi stated today that she looks forward to hearing from the public on two pieces of important legislation on the topic of state policy regarding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Delisi was one of the participants in a press conference held at the Texas Capitol to discuss both bills and the upcoming public hearing.

“I have been consistent in my support for having this topic discussed in-depth by all of the 181 members of the Texas Legislature,” Delisi stated. “We were elected to take the views and voices of our constituents across the entire state to Austin. The Texas Legislature has a membership that is wide-ranging in its life experiences and philosophies. That is its strength, as all points of view are considered when setting state policy.”

Delisi said that she will review the two proposed bills now in her committee using the same evaluation standards she uses for all other public health legislation.

“First, I believe parents have absolute authority when it comes to health care decisions involving their children. Next, I consider carefully the costs, benefits, and potential risks of all proposed health care legislation,” Delisi said. “I also think that one of the greatest weapons we have against a disease is education.”

Delisi, in her role as the Chairman of the House Committee of Public Health, has posted two pieces of legislation on HPV for a public hearing in her committee on Monday, February 19, upon adjournment of the House. The bills, HB 1098 by Rep. Dennis Bonnen and HB 1379 by Rep. Joe Deshotel cover HPV vaccination policy and education, respectively.

“This is an issue where Texans deserve a chance to be heard, regardless of which side of the issue they may come down on,” Delisi said. “That is the way policy is established is our state. A bill is filed, the public comments on it in a public hearing and follows up with communications to their own representatives, there is a floor debate, and then a public vote.”

Delisi believes that the public HPV discussions are already having a positive impact, in that the public is learning about a serious health risk.

“HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in our nation – and it can lead to fatal cervical cancer – and yet many people have never heard of it,” Delisi concluded. “This tells me that we will need to do a much better job in our education efforts.”

Delisi will hear the following two bills:

HB 1098 by Rep. Dennis Bonnen: Relating to prohibiting immunization against human papilloma virus as a condition for admission to public school.

HB 1379 by Rep. Joe Deshotel: Relating to human papilloma virus education programs.