California State Assemblyperson Richard Pan
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0005
Tel: (916) 319-2005
Fax: (916) 319-2105
District Office:
Sacramento State University
Modoc Hall, Suite 1009
3020 State University Drive East
Sacramento, CA 95819
Tel: (916) 452-0505
Fax: (916) 452-5525
Dear Assemblyperson Pan,
I represent the California members of the Canary Party, a political action committee dedicated to health freedom and choice in medicine.
Our members vehemently oppose AB2109.
AB2109 would require parents who wish to exercise their philosophical exemption rights to first consult with a medical practitioner. This is an unnecessary intrusion into the rights of parents.
Parents currently have the option of the Philosophical Exemption Law (also referred to as the Personal Belief Exemption), which ensures they do not have to vaccinate their children if it is against “their personally held beliefs”. Personally held beliefs include religious and spiritual beliefs, as well as conscientious and moral beliefs.
The state does not have the right to interfere with, question, add obstacles to, or regulate a closely held belief that is protected by law.
Furthermore, requiring parents to seek out and pay for a consultation with a medical practitioner is an unfair and unnecessary burden to families. Many families see alternative practitioners such as Naturopaths, Homeopaths, Chiropractors and Acupuncturists, who are not permitted to sign these forms under the rules of AB2109. Thus, these parents would be required to pay to see medical practitioners that they have already chosen not to use. This is an offensive and costly intrusion into their lives, and a violation of their right to make their own medical and healthcare decisions.
This law will create an unfair financial burden to families at a time when few can afford any additional expenses. Numerous resources exist regarding the risks and benefits of vaccines, and about infectious diseases, and are readably available in libraries and on the internet at no cost. Parents should not be forced to seek out additional and unnecessary medical coercion forced upon them by the state.
In closing, we believe this bill is a tactic being initiated by pharmaceutical and medical lobbyists, who have made substantial contributions to CA state legislators, to increase their profits without regard for the law, parental rights, parental beliefs, or the health and welfare of California’s children.
We respectfully request that you immediately withdraw AB2109.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Pimentel
California State Coordinator – Canary Party
canaryparty.org