Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2009-02-06

Duration: 00:07:26

Subjects: Health | Human papillomavirus | HPV | Cervical cancer | Vaccines | Preventive medicine | Sexually transmitted diseases | HEALTH INSURANCE | Women | Health Care

Contributors:

• Sanford, Shauna Producer
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Photographer
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Editor
• Williams, Katherine Interviewee
• LaFonta, Juan Interviewee
• Mills, Gene Interviewee
• Mickleberry, Julie Interviewee
• Whinham, Charlie Host
• Sanford, Shauna Host

This segment from the February 6, 2009, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Shauna Sanford’s report on the debate over State Representative Juan LaFonta’s bill forcing insurance companies to cover the vaccine to prevent the Human papillomavirus, or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer in women. Sanford talks to State Representative LaFonta and two supporters of the bill, Dr. Katherine Williams, an OB/GYN, and Julie Mickleberry of Planned Parenthood. They argue that the vaccine is important for women’s health because cervical cancer can affect women as young as eighteen, that the vaccine is safe, and should be administered as early as possible before young women become sexually active. Sanford also interviews Gene Mills of the Louisiana Family Forum, an opponent of the bill, about his concerns over mandating insurance coverage to girls as young as eleven instead of targeting college students, who are more likely to contract HPV. Hosts: Charlie Whinham and Shauna Sanford