FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2009

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House Passes Cancer Prevention Bill

HB 2794 would require health insurers to cover HPV vaccine

SALEM – The House yesterday passed HB 2794, which would require health insurers to cover the HPV vaccine for female beneficiaries 11 years of age or older.  HPV has been shown to cause cervical cancer.

“While this is a significant step forward in care for future generations of Oregon women, it is important to remember that this is only one more weapon in our arsenal.  As women we need to continue to be vigilant and proactive with our health care.”  

According to the American Cancer Society 20 million people are currently infected with HPV and there are 6 million new infections each year; and approximately 25,000 people are diagnosed with HPV related cancers annually.  The HPV vaccine protects females from the four types of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts.

HB 2794 now moves to the Senate.

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