HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2016.02.04 - 22197/) kk MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #16028
BY Commissioner Janet Jackson, District #21 /-1 67-ito'-/e Ortec e IM Ricc i /1- c
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - OPPOSITION TO HOUSE BILL 5126 AND HOUSE BILL
5127
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS if enacted, House Bills 5126 and 5127 would eliminate the rule requiring parents seeking non-
medical waivers to receive balanced education about the benefits of immunizations and risk of disease
from their local public health department; and
WHEREAS if enacted, House Bills 5126 and 5127 would prohibit a local public health department's ability
to exclude children exposed to a communicable disease and who lack vaccine protection, from attending
school during an outbreak; and
WHEREAS in December, 2014, the Michigan Department of Community Health passed an Administrative
Rule with the intent to allow parents to make an educated, informed choice for their child(ren) and with
the ability for the parent/guardian to maintain the right to obtain a non-medical waiver; and
WHEREAS Michigan has one of the highest waiver rates in the country, prompting the enactment of the
new education requirement for Michigan parents regarding immunizations; and
WHEREAS Michigan's recent immunization waiver reforms have made a real difference for thousands of
children but House Bills 5126 and 5127 threaten that progress" stated Marcus Cheatham, president of the
Michigan Association of Local Public Health; and
WHEREAS according to the state Department of Health and Human Services, immunization waivers
given to by Michigan parents plummeted by approximately more than 39%, with nearly 8,000 fewer
waivers submitted than the previous year; and
WHEREAS in Oakland County waiver rates dropped by 51% as reported by the Michigan State Medical
Society; and
WHEREAS Oakland County Health Division has provided this educational program to Oakland County
residents at no cost, with the opportunity to immunize their child(ren) after the session and/or receive the
certified waiver; and
WHEREAS Oakland County's Health Department opposes House Bills 5126 and 5127 and advocates
keeping the current process, as revised in 2015, for any parent wanting to opt out due to non-medical
reasons, citing the success of the program across the state and in Oakland County in reducing waiver
rates; and
WHEREAS Michigan physicians, nurses, educators and health care provider with the Parent Information
Network (PIN) are urging lawmakers to reject dangerous legislation that would repeal the state reform
heralded for significantly decreasing the state's childhood immunization waiver; and
WHEREAS this proactive approach of informing parents regarding the benefits of vaccinations and the
risks of disease has been successful in protecting the health and safety of Michigan's children.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby declare
their opposition to House Bills 5126 and 5127 as harmful legislation that may endanger the health and
safety of Michigan's children and call for the continuation of parent educational sessions regarding the
importance of immunizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is directed to submit a
copy of this resolution to the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, Senate Majority
Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader and the Oakland County
delegation to the Michigan Legislatusste.
Chairperson c l MOV-e-th", adoption of he foregoing Res lution.
Co rAissioner
District #
idak./G L
Commissioner
District # .
(
Corn miss i Oriel-r
District # 1
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Resolution #16028 February 4, 2016
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Finance Committee. There were no objections.