California Gov. Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bill That Would Have Required Some Health Care Plans To Cover HPV Vaccination

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Sunday vetoed a bill (AB 1429) that would have required every individual or group health care plan that covers cervical cancer treatment also to provide coverage for human papillomavirus vaccination, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports (Young, AP/Contra Costa Times, 10/15). The California Legislature passed the bill last month.

The bill had stated that every health care plan that is issued, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and that includes coverage for treatment or surgery of cervical cancer also must cover HPV vaccination in compliance with the recommendations of CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Health plans also would have been required to cover a Pap test, an FDA-approved HPV screening test and an FDA-approved cervical cancer screening test. The measure would have exempted specialized health care service plans from the requirement (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 9/18).

Schwarzenegger in his veto message said, "While I support increased access to preventive services, I cannot support this bill as it may contribute to rising premiums. Further, a mandate is not necessary as [HPV vaccines are] already routinely provided by health plans and insurers" (Schwarzenegger release, 10/14).


The veto message is available online (.pdf).

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