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A6 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 5 sepTember 2019

California lawmakers OK vaccine limits; Newsom seeks changes

By DON THOMPSON and Pan said. He said lower
KATHLEEN RONAYNE vaccination rates erode
Associated Press the “community immu-
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) nity” that limits measles
— California lawmakers outbreaks like those that
sent Gov. Gavin Newsom reached their highest level
a measure designed to in decades this year.
crack down on doctors Newsom’s newly proposed
who sell fraudulent medi- amendments would make
cal exemptions for vac- clear that enforcement
cinations on Wednesday, will start next year, mean-
even as Newsom sought ing doctors who previously
last-minute changes to one granted a high number
of the year’s most conten- of medical exemptions
tious bills. won’t face extra scrutiny.
Democratic Sen. Richard They would also remove
Pan of Sacramento said a requirement that doc-
that Newsom didn’t speak tors swear under penalty
to him before announcing of perjury that they are
he wanted changes late not charging fees to fill out
Tuesday, though he said medical exemption forms
there had been preliminary or conducting related
discussions in recent weeks. medical examinations.
Newsom previously prom- They would insure that an
ised to sign the bill that sen- expert panel reviewing ap- Denise Aguilar, right, joins others in a march through the Capitol to protest the state Legislature’s
ators approved on a 28-11 peals of exemption denials passage of a measure to crack down on doctors who sell fraudulent medical exemptions for
vote, Pan noted pointedly. could consider additional vaccinations, in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019.
But Pan said he’s willing information from the doc- Associated Press
to talk to Newsom about tor beyond the exemption said. said Newsom had not ap- ponents are so emotional
other changes before law- form. And they would ex- This is the second time proached her about his lat- because “they feel from
makers adjourn next week, empt the individual medi- Newsom has expressed est proposed changes. the depths of their soul that
though he didn’t commit cal forms from being made concerns with the bill, Protesters yelled from the they are fighting for their
to supporting what New- public. and it wasn’t clear what Senate gallery during and children’s life and their exis-
som has laid out. Newsom spokesman Na- prompted his most recent after the lengthy debate, tence to be happy, healthy
The measure headed to than Click said Wednesday concerns. forcing the Senate to re- kids.”
Newsom’s desk would al- that the additional chang- California Medical Associa- cess while order was re- The protesters gathered
low state public health offi- es are needed to clarify tion President David Aizuss stored. Several lawmakers, outside Newsom’s office af-
cials to investigate doctors the rules and had been said in a statement that his including Republicans who ter the vote, and Newsom
who grant more than five relayed to lawmakers be- organization looks forward strongly opposed the bill, adviser Daniel Zingale was
medical exemptions in a fore this week’s votes. Law- to Newsom signing the bill. nonetheless criticized some seen taking some aside for
year and schools with vac- makers could still consider But he did not address the opponents for going too a private meeting.
cination rates of less than the governor’s proposed governor’s latest proposed far to disrupt the legislative “The most important Dem-
95%. amendments in a separate changes, and spokesman process. One vaccination ocrat, the only one left
“The intent of the bill is bill before they adjourn for Anthony York did not im- opponent faces a misde- now, is Gavin Newsom,”
to keep children safe,” the year on Sept. 13, Click mediately comment. meanor assault charge af- Heidi Munoz Gleisner, who
“We’re every excited and ter forcefully shoving Pan stood in front of Newsom’s
happy that it has passed earlier this month, a con- office door, told a crowd
through the Legislature,” frontation that the activist that had gathered. She
American Academy of filmed and shared on social urged people to post on
Pediatrics, California, chief media. social media that the bill
executive Kris Calvin said. “Please respect the deco- is not creating a “#Califor-
Weekly special on Cars $169.00 “We assume he will stand rum of the house,” warned niaForAll,” the slogan New-
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Ask for our Daily specials by what he said and sign Senate Republican Leader som’s office has used to
www.yessrentalcar.com that bill.” Shannon Grove of Bakers- promote his policies, and
Both organizations have field as protesters tried to to send similar messages
been among the bill’s shout Pan down. Nonethe- to Newsom’s wife, Jennifer
major backers, but Calvin less, Grove said most op- Siebel Newsom.q