Henry Waxman: “The administration has asked people to take this immunization in the health care area and first responders have not been…”

“The administration has asked people to take this immunization in the health care area and first responders have not been doing it. One of the reasons, according to the Institute of Medicine, is because they do not feel that they are going to be backed up by the government when they take the risk of some adverse event. Now, I want to point out to my good friend, the gentleman from Louisiana, the chairman of the committee, that he should not personalize this whole matter and have it on his conscience that we cannot pass this bill today. Of course, this could have come under the rules and we could have had opportunity for amendments to consider. But I want to point out that we asked for smallpox compensation as part of the bioterrorism bill in 2001, we asked for smallpox compensation as part of the homeland security bill in 2002, we formally requested an administration proposal in December 2002, and we proposed our own bill in February of this year. Only in March, 2 weeks ago, did the majority respond. And now, of course, it is take it or leave it. Take it or leave it. That is what we are being told. This is a bad policy and a bad process by which to protect the public health.”