| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/23/2004 5:01:38 PM Home School Legal Defense Association West Virginia--Calls Needed to Stop Bill Undermining Parent Authority on Immunization |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== February 23, 2004 West Virginia--Calls Needed to Stop Bill Undermining Parent Authority on Immunization Dear HSLDA members and friends: We need your help immediately to defeat a bill that would strip parents of their right to not immunize their children. Currently, if a family is prosecuted for failure to immunize their children, they may assert that they have a "sufficient reason". Some families might believe their religious convictions are a sufficient reason; others might think danger to their children's health is a sufficient reason. Senate Bill 439 abolishes "sufficient reason" as a defense. It thus erodes the right of parents to do what is best for their children. The full Senate could vote on the bill soon-possibly as early as Wednesday, February 25. Action Requested Please call your state senator immediately and give him a message such as: "Please vote against Senate Bill 439. It would force immunization despite good reason to not immunize. 48 other states have laws that recognize that some parents have compelling reasons to not want their children immunized. This bill violates a parent's right to make reasonable health care choices for their children." This bill affects all parents, regardless of how they choose to educate their children. It is not necessary, therefore, for you to identify yourself as a homeschool family when you call. Contact Information Call the Senate Clerk's Office at (304) 357-7800 and ask to be transferred to your senator. To learn the name of your senator, use HSLDA's Legislative Toolbox at: http://capwiz.com/hslda/home/ . Background The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has paid out over $1.3 billion in damages to families for injuries and deaths following vaccine reactions. Every year the Food and Drug Administration receives 12,000-14,000 reports to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System of hospitalizations, injuries and deaths following vaccination. This figure does not include the estimated one to ten percent of vaccine injuries that are not reported. Some parents have strong religious convictions against vaccinating their children. According to Centers for Disease Control surveys, states allowing for conscientious choice exemptions do not have higher rates of vaccine- preventable illnesses. Courts have not yet had the opportunity to rule on what reasons for not immunizing would be "sufficient." In 48 other states, religious or philosophical reasons are sufficient. For more information on immunizations, see our memorandum at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=1343 Thank you for standing with us to protect freedom! Sincerely, Scott Woodruff HSLDA Staff Attorney {{JoinAd}} ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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