Monday, February 05, 2007

Gov. Rick Perry’s Texas HPV Vaccine Order

My wife commented on Gov. Perry’s Executive Order that Texas require the HPV vaccine for all school girls. As she watched the news report she said “that’s unusual for Republicans who prefer voluntary measures. Is he really trying to help people?”

Cynically I responded with “unless there's a pharmaceutical lobbying or campaign donations connection”. By the end of the day another news report cited a Perry ex-staffer working as Merck’s lobbyist in Texas. Merck charges $120 a pop for the vaccine.

Later research found Merck donated $6,000 to the Governor’s campaign. Very interesting! As people quickly look for the corporate profit connection on major governmental moves, it seems all the more reason to take big money out of politics.

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