South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley talks to Diana Watson during an interview with FOX Carolina. (File/FOX Carolina)COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -
Gov. Nikki Haley has vetoed a bill allowing the state's public health agency to provide information on and access to a free vaccine that prevents a sexually transmitted, cancer-causing virus.
The bill calls for informational brochures on the vaccine for human papillomavirus, known as HPV, to be provided to parents of sixth-graders. Parents could choose to have their seventh-graders receive the vaccine. The bill specifies that the brochures and free vaccines depend on funding.
Haley argues the funding caveat means the bill does nothing. She also argues it's a suspended unfunded mandate.
She said she doesn't want the government putting out information on a vaccine parents should discuss with their family doctors.
Sponsoring Rep. Bakari Sellers said Haley's using political jargon to put politics ahead of women's health.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
