WA: ESB 5005 goes into effect 7/22/11 - get your appointments with your doctors now!

[DahliaRW]

Gregoire signed this into law.  Goes into effecct 7/22/2011

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Please see post #65 for an update: http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1298487/wa-please-contact-your-state-reps-senators-re-vaccine-exemptions/60#post_16389617

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Yes, this is true and it's passing through committee!  Please write to your reps and senator letting them know this should not be law!

http://www.nvic.org/NVIC-Vaccine-News/February-2011/WA-State-Vaccine-Law-Threatens-Exemptions---Violat.aspx

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1015&year=2011%23documents

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5005&year=2011

Find your legislator here:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

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A friend pointed me to this.  I hadn't heard a thing.  Anyone else in WA know anything?  Definitely would like to get local people together to fight this if it does end up going for vote.

http://vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2011/02/wa-state-vaccine-law-threatens.html

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Edited by DahliaRW - 5/13/11 at 8:18am

[Graceie]

wow I hope this doesnt pass it just seems crazy

[DahliaRW]

Bumping.  This is happening and it's happening fast!

[Graceie]

Maybe also post in the vaccine forums

[LiLStar]

I wrote.haven't heard anything back

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by LiLStar 

I wrote.haven't heard anything back

 I sent my emails last night.  I'll post if I hear as well.  Usually I just get the standard form letter back.  But I did let them know that they'd loose my vote if they continue to support this bill (all 3 of mine voted yay and my senator is a supporter).  My 2 reps are republicans (but doing a wonderful job, so I still voted for them), in a very democrat area, this seems like a very unwise move!

[jrose_lee]

Did this pass?  When I looked at the history of the bill it seemed that it did, but I wasn't quite sure how it all works.  If it did pass, that is a bummer.

[DahliaRW]

It has passed through committee and now is being introduced in the house and senate.  If they pass it and Gregoire signs it it will become law.  That's why it's important to write to your legislators and let them know you want them to vote NO on this.

ETA - it passed the house and is in the Senate.

Edited by DahliaRW - 3/1/11 at 4:18pm

[CookAMH]

I emailed them. It's sad how easily and quietly this is being passed.

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by CookAMH 

I emailed them. It's sad how easily and quietly this is being passed.

 Agreed.  And the lack of response to this issue even here has me frightened.  If people on mothering don't care, well, it's gonna  pass...

[mwright]

I heard about this on Facebook from a Vaccine Group and found my local representative and called and told them I DO not approve. This is scary and once this passes, it sets the stage for the rest of the country. ugh. Its more frigging hoops you have to jump through in order for our no-vaxxed kids to be in the system. Al tho, its making it more likely I wont be signing my kids up for any of their government ran programs with this being put into law. So I say whatever to them. Just more reason to educate at home.

[DahliaRW]

It effects more than school, however.  Want to send your kid to day or overnight camp, need to have the form.  Want to use a child care facility (even drop in), you need the form.  Want your child to go to college (private or public)?  You'll need the form, etc.

[CookAMH]

I got an email back from my rep, Jamie Peterson, who is a co-sponser of the bill and believes that parent should have to consult a doctor about the risks of not vaccinating.  Wants to protect public health. It's unfortunate that we have people in office who believe they have a right to police our religious beliefs and infringe on those rights.

[LiLStar]

I'd respond back that there already IS a law requiring pediatricians to go over the benefits/risks of vaccinating. 

[Graceie]

and they do this at the same time they are cutting funding for children to see a doc inthe first place sigh  what about churchs  who dont belive in seeing a doc ?  how would they get the form signed ?  I no my doc would sign it but how many paretns have accsess to a doc that would ? 

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by Graceie 

and they do this at the same time they are cutting funding for children to see a doc inthe first place sigh  what about churchs  who dont belive in seeing a doc ?  how would they get the form signed ?  I no my doc would sign it but how many paretns have accsess to a doc that would ? 

 That's exactly the angle I took.  It would be an unfair financial burden on those without healthcare or those with insurance with copays.  Since the law does not stipulate the doctors HAS to sign, people may have to go to multiple doctors to find one who will sign.  And at what cost?

[Karin J]

I also heard back from my rep, Deb Eddy, who believes it is a public health issue and in the best interest of the state to move forward.  She cannot see how it is a violation of religious freedom or a slippery slope.

[DahliaRW]

It's going before the Health Care & Wellness Committee on March 9th.  Here are the list of members to write to prior to then: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/HCW/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx

FWIW, everyone on the committee voted yay for the bill in the house, except for representative Harris.

[jrose_lee]

I wrote and recieved this back:

Thank you for your message.  I heard this bill in committee and on the Floor of the House.  I am sure there are many bills in which we can agree, but I don't think we'll agree on this one.  This bill asks parents to sign a form saying that they understand the information that was presented to them about immunization.  It does not force you to have immunizations, only that the Doctors or other medical staff have informed you of them.  I believe this bill allows for more access for the patients.

I did vote yes on this bill and it passed out of Committee and on the floor of the House.  It has now moved in the House as version HB 1015; and in the Senate as SB 5005.  Both versions have passed their respective houses and are being further considered. 

[applecider]

I had written my reps and they said they would vote no...it was Val Stevens.