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House approves bill directing state to run cervical cancer public-awareness campaign
Summary
Second-substitute H.B. 358 passed the House to establish and fund a Department of Health public-awareness campaign on cervical cancer, citing national and Utah incidence and highlighting detection and prevention advances including HPV testing and vaccines; the bill moves to the Senate after a 56–25 vote.
The Utah House on Friday approved second-substitute House Bill 358 to direct the Department of Health to establish and fund a public-awareness campaign on cervical cancer, emphasizing prevention, early detection and new medical technologies.
Representative Karen Morgan, sponsor of the measure, told lawmakers that advances such as liquid Pap tests, the HPV test and the cervical cancer vaccine make elimination of the disease within reach if the public is properly informed. "This bill will establish and fund a public awareness campaign," Morgan said, noting national and state case counts and arguing education can save lives.
Representatives voiced support across the floor. A technical question about vaccine coverage prompted Morgan to clarify that the vaccine targets two HPV strains that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers. Lawmakers described the appropriation as a small investment with potentially significant public-health benefits.
The House adopted the bill; the Clerk recorded 56 yes votes and 25 no. H.B. 358 will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: the bill goes to the Senate; supporters emphasized education and outreach to parents, health-care providers and women as the key mechanism to reduce cervical cancer incidence.
