The Highwire with Del Bigtree - UPDATE: CA HPV VACCINE MANDATE FOR SCHOOLS

Episode Date: April 9, 2023

President and Co-founder of PERK Advocacy (Protection of the Educational Rights of Kids), Amy Bohn, discusses teaming up with ICAN Legislate using an offensive strategy against the California Assembly Bill requiring incoming 8th graders to be vaccinated against HPV. Hear more about the recent amendments to the bill and what it means for those attending school in California.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-highwire-with-del-bigtree--3620606/support.

We've got some real breaking news coming out of California. As many of you know, they were trying to mandate an HPV-Guardicil vaccine on eighth graders in California. I can legislate, which is our C4, the side of it. There's nonprofits. I don't know if you get into all these things, but we teamed up with Perk and Amy Bond. But this is what this looked like in the news when we were talking about just a few weeks ago. Should middle schoolers be required to get the HPV vaccine and, order to go to school. A California bill has been introduced in Sacramento to require students

entering eighth grade to get the HPV vaccine. This proposed legislation would require all incoming eighth graders in California's public and private schools to get the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine has been on the market since 2006 when the FDA approved it as a way to prevent cervical cancer in women. But it also benefits men in the prevention of penile cancer. Assembly member Cecilia Aguilar Curry, who proposed this new bill, points out because this vaccine would be administered years after kids get their MMR shots, they can determine if they have any adverse reactions. Parents and vaccine vulnerable children have plenty of time to take advantage of the medical exemption that is in the bill.

Well, you know, there are ways to deal with things, and we are getting better and better at what we do here at the highway, but also across the nation to all of you warriors out there, I want to thank you for your continued efforts, your abilities. As I've said this before, when I started out with Vaxed, it was Warrior Moms that taught me how to go in and talk to a senator. It was Warrior Moms that had me talking to Assembly members. And then I watched Warrior Moms writing legislation.

Well, one of the great Warrior Moms I know in California is Amy Bond. She's the head of Perk. And she joins me now to talk about some really interesting developments. Amy, thanks for joining me. Thanks for having me on the show today, Dale. Excited to be here. All right. Awesome. So, Amy, you reached out to me and said, look, we want to take a different approach at this.

We don't want to wait until it's hit the floor. We don't want to stand outside of the Capitol, you know, waving banners, although that's great. We'd really like to start getting in and being a part of this legislative process early. We want to hire a lobbyist. And you asked, you know, about RC4, which is, you know, the I Can't Legislate side of this, which works a little bit differently. And so we teamed up on this, and you talked me into it. So we came together with our two advocacy groups.

And tell me how that went. Like, how is that different, you know, and what has been the experience and what are we announcing here today? Well, first of all, I think us coming together as a team in our C4s, it's probably the best decision we could make prior to even this bill, this new HPV bill coming out. And I mean, really what we did is we came together and said, this is what needs to happen. We need to go on the offensive. Sometimes we wait till these bills go to the committee or to the floor before we do something about it and rally the troops.

But instead, you and I both know that we needed to start with an offensive strategy and start to change the culture at the Capitol and have a presence there. And so we did. We got together. We hired a lobbyist together. And we built a team in our C4, our C4s together, so that we could start making a difference before any of these bills get to us and go on the offensive. And so, I mean, just because, you know, I hear the word lobbyist and it freest. I mean, I think we all get sort of like a weird feeling about that. But really, we had someone that has already developed relationships. We didn't just, I mean, there's good lives about. but we really went for a top lobbyist that had really great, you know, connections and relationships. So you got to actually go in and have meetings, you know, with the bill author and others around her. How do you feel like, you know, that approach worked? Did it change the energy in the room having that sort of representation there?

Yeah, absolutely. So having, so us hiring a lobbyist together at the campus. actually changes the perspective of the legislators themselves. So when we come into those meetings, these key meetings with the bill author, the chairs of these committees, they now understand that we're very serious about the vaccine policy issues. We're so serious we've hired a lobbyist and put funds and resources into having that type of professionalism and impact at the capital. So absolutely, it made such a difference.

And the lobbyist is so well respected among all Democrats, Republicans. You know, that's why, of course, we would want that bipartisan respect and effort here. And so what happened is he was able to lay the groundwork so that we could walk into these really key meetings with the bill author herself and with the Health Committee chair and almost all the health committee members and have really serious conversations about the problems with the HPV, vaccine mandate bill. We were able to address her concerns. We were able to talk about why is she even bringing forward this bill? What is her intent and her reason to bring it forward in the first place? And these conversations are very respectful. They're

very professional and we're pulling in angles that these legislators have not heard. So having this just really solid team with great respect in the conversations where we're disagreeing. I mean obviously we disagree very seriously. about her stance and why she's bringing this bill and how bad, you know, we know the policy will impact the children in California. And however, you know, in those meetings, our teams were amazing.

They held their own. They talked about the issues and they made a difference in I think really influencing the bill author's mind about the mandate itself. You know, our team said, hey, this is going to really hurt disadvantaged communities. The bill, the mandate. it's not needed. I mean, you could go on and on about the problems with the bill. She was very

receptive to it. And here is, Assembly Bill, you know, this is where it is the Legislative Council Digest, and we've had an effect. I mean, we haven't, this is the amendment that has just come up on this, and essentially they've scratched out, you know, parts of this bill. The number one big change at the moment, more work to be done is this leaves the insurance expansion covers intact. It removes the middle school HPV vaccine mandate to advance to eighth grade. All of you Californians in there that were really, really worried about this. We've achieved, at least for those of you in this eighth grade middle school area, creates a mandatory middle school notice we sound out to all sixth graders that HPV vaccination is expected. And so this is what we want to

talk about, right? And it creates a new higher education HPV vaccine mandate for first time really. So right now, we still have a problem with the universities. They're going to push forward with a mandated HPV vaccine for the universities. But as far as the for all of you in California that were really worried they were going to mandate this on your kids going into eighth grade and trying to go after the school, that has been removed. But it's not totally, I mean, what I really want you to talk about is the language it's shifted from. So it's not a mandate, but it sure sounds like one, which is where our audience needs to get involved. involved here and get out and make sure we educate everyone in California going on here. Yeah, I think two parts to what you shared related to the amendment. So one, there is, I mean,

this is a huge celebration and it is a very big victory for the mandate to be dropped for the middle school age children. I mean, we're talking millions of children no longer have a mandate for the HPB vaccine. So that is just tremendous. And all those who put effort into this, the organizations, the members, the letter write, everybody writing letters to taking action, going to the Capitol. Of course, our teams, our lobbyists, all that at the Capitol has made such a difference. And so that mandate being dropped is just incredible. That we need to celebrate that.

Because anything good that happens in California, we know, is, you got to celebrate it. Absolutely. Right? Yeah. But having I said that, they have shifted the language in the bill. So we still have concerns and there's still more to go and we have to still fight back with what is amended. So the amended language changed the mandate for the children to a mandated notice.

So what's going to happen is that they're going to send a letter to parents and students, sixth graders specifically, that they should be advised, this is the language, advised and to get the HBV shot. So instead of it being mandated, they're now basically, the wording is really kind of tricky to be honest with you, because it makes it sound like they still have to get it. Well, is it something like they're mandated and expected to get the vaccine or something like that, like using words that make it sound like it is made, but it's not? Yes, correct. So expected and advised.

So they're going to be sending these letters out to parents, notifying them that they have to get it. So we're really concerned that there's going to be, I guess, just a confusion for parents where they think they have to still get it. They think it's required. They think it's a mandate, but it's really not. So it's going to take all of us making sure that we're telling our neighbors, telling our friends, you know, talking to the schools themselves, that this is not a mandate anymore.

So they shifted the language there to mandate the notice instead of the actual shot. So that is good. That is really good progress. But then the other thing that we still have to fight back on related to the bill is they also created a new mandate. So now there's a mandate on college age students. So kids going into college, 18 to 26 year olds, are now going to be required to get the HPV vaccine. So what's really interesting and concerning about this is that the UC schools, so the state, the public university systems throughout California just recently, like we're, you know, just the past few weeks have dropped all of their mandates for all other vaccines, including COVID.

the COVID vaccine, so all of them, D-TAP, chickenpox, you name it. They're all no longer required for the university students. And so for them, except for the hepatitis B vaccine, that's the only one that's required at the college level right now. And that has a personal belief exemption so people can get, you know, religious exemption or personal belief exemption and opt out of it. So that being said, all of those other vaccines are being dropped. But it was just a policy change. So there was never a law that required college students to get all, you know, detap all those other vaccines.

And so now what's shifting is this bill, this HBV bill that was mandating children to get the shot. Now is mandating college age kids to get the HB vaccine with no exemptions except for medical. So you and I both know how difficult it is to get a medical exemption in California anyways. Yeah. But I mean, Tim, it's a problem. Any doctor that does after SB 276 is now under threat and investigation. I mean, there's so much work to do here in California is a very, very difficult and complicated space.

But I think the important thing to point out here is that, you know, getting in politicians' faces, and I've had some, you know, of my own understanding. at one moment, you know, I'm chasing Senator Pan down a hallway, but I've learned since then that there's actually something to diplomacy and getting in and having a voice and starting to communicate. And you had shared with me, not to get, I don't want to get into the personal details, but when people say, why would someone, you know, mandate this vaccine, you were saying that there's a, there's a, there's cancer, you know, issues that this, that this, uh, bill author has been involved. Watch people die around her. She believes.

this can stop that. So it's not, you can't really fault her if you listen to mainstream science. They truly believe this makes a difference. All science shows us otherwise. We know they never proved it in the trials that it could actually stop cervical cancer. Cervical cancer has only been on the rise since everybody started getting the HPV Gardasil vaccine. You have the added issue we know from scientists inside of the making of the Gardasil vaccine,

that they realize that if you get this vaccine after you've already had. or been infected with HBV, it increases your risk of cervical cancer, something, but there's no pre-screening tests being done. So much work to be done. But let's do celebrate that we are moving. I think we're moving to a different time. I think COVID has forced everyone to say, well, hold on a second. Everything may not be exactly as it appears.

We're moving into bringing in lobbyists. We're really starting to have an effect. And we are having people that are listening. I mean, I said when I moved to Texas, our health department here really did start listening. And I was amazed, which is, you know, when I went in that they're listening, what I have to say, you're actually starting to have people listen on both sides of the aisle in California, which is the start of something wonderful. You're right.

That's exactly what's happening. And that's how change happens. That's how we actually have an impact is talking with people who disagree with us, who don't see this from the same perspective or same lens. And how can we expect them to change the? these horrible policies that have been around for decades now without actually going in and having these conversations with the people who are making these policies.

And I mean, this is something where it transcends party lines. Like sometimes people are really, you know, really rude and really put down that we want to talk to Democrats. Like don't talk to the Democrats because they're the ones that are bringing forward these mandates. Well, that may be true. That is true. However, we have to talk to those Democrats.

they're the ones who are making these bad policies. And if we don't go into their offices in these hour plus meetings, I mean, that's what, I mean, there's an hour meeting with the, with the bill author herself. And you know, we have to do that. You have to talk with the people who disagree with you. Otherwise, we can't impact change. But that's why we are making such a big impact.

And I think us coming together with you guys, it just, we're forced to be reckoned with. And we are, we have a presence now at the capital. They know who we are. They're listening to us. It's opening doors and opportunities that maybe we've never had before with this strong presence on these issues. And so I think that the future is so bright, including California, especially in California.

And so when people say, hey, you can't do this in California or, you know, leave the state because it's never going to change. I'm here to tell you it is changing. We can do this. We are seeing victories. like when did you ever see this happen? No, that's amazing. Amended a bill in our favor.

We used to just get steamrolled on every single event. We've had so many great reports coming out of California. You did a brilliant job stopping many of those mandates that were trying to be pushed through in the last legislative season. Now we're getting in even a deeper. Amy, you're a force to be reckoned with. If people want to see the work that Perks doing and get a better understanding, go to their website,

www. perk-group-gook-com. Just an amazing group of interviews. And there's lots of great groups in California that we all fight alongside with. But Amy, I've said it before. I like teaming up with you because you're a winner. You know how to get it done. And so next time I see you, we'll raise a glass. But cheers.

Keep up the good work. We've got to go after. Got to try and protect those college students. But I will say all those college students out there. If they end up going through with this, then here's what you do. You vote with your dollars. You go and choose another school. Leave the California school system.

Go to school systems that are allowing you to celebrate your freedom and your liberty, adowed to you by God, not to be taken away from bureaucrats and authoritarian. We've got to start showing them. We will starve you out if you try to take away our freedom. That'll be the next answer. And of course, Amy, we will team up also legally if we have to, Once these things, you know, the ones that things we can't nip in the bud, we will bring other actions. And so it's great to be working with you.

And I'm really psyched that we have someone as positive as you are. I think that is communicating. And this is what I try to get across the show, folks. I don't get in people's faces. I don't yell at them. When I go, I will talk to any politician any time. And if you want to get good at this, start. Listen to where they're coming from.

Listen to what their fears and concerns are. They're human beings that believe they're doing the right thing. So we've got to show them that we're human beings. We believe we're doing the right thing. Let's find some common ground here and see if we can't make a difference. Amy, brilliant work. Congratulations. Thank you so much, Dell. Really appreciate you.

All right. Great. Well, we'll talk to you soon. I'm sure we'll have great news report in the future. Take care.