IN HR0063

Urges the legislative council to assign a study committee to examine ways to improve Indiana's HPV vaccination rates for girls and boys across all races and ethnicities

Notes Indiana's 2013 three-dose HPV vaccination rate of 34.6 percent for girls and 8.1 percent for boys, both below the national averages of 37.6 percent and 13.9 percent respectively

Cites that approximately 250 Indiana women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually with 85 deaths per year, and Medicaid treated 5,975 cervical cancer cases from 2008-2014 at a cost of $4,285,127.38

Identifies that HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer and other deadly cancers including head and throat cancer, with HPV-related throat cancers in men expected to surpass cervical cancer cases within five years

Requires the study committee to issue a final report to the legislative council containing findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation on improving HPV vaccination rates