Bill Clinton: “Legislation April 1, 1993 To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit for your immediate…”

“Legislation April 1, 1993 To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit for your immediate consideration and enactment the ``Comprehensive Child Immunization Act of 1993''. Also transmitted is a section-by-section analysis. This legislation launches a new partnership among parents and guardians; health care providers; vaccine manufacturers; and Federal, State, and local governments to protect our Nation's children from the deadly onslaught of infectious diseases. The legislation is a comprehensive initiative to remove existing barriers to immunization. It will ensure that all children in the United States are immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases by their second birthday. Because of the importance of this initiative to the health of our children, I am transmitting this legislation in advance of my proposal for comprehensive reform of the Nation's health care system, which I expect to submit to the Congress in May. Beginning in fiscal year 1995, the bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to purchase and provide childhood vaccines in quantities sufficient to meet the immunization needs of children in the United States. It would also institute a national immunization tracking system through grants to the States to establish State immunization registries.…”