Frist is pushing his bill again

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"Alarming Shortage of Eight Vaccines"
Wall Street Journal Online (www.wsj.com) (08/30/02); Frist, Bill
In a letter to the editor, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) responds to an August 19 commentary in the Wall Street Journal, titled "An Indefensible Epidemic," which detailed the many issues surrounding vaccine availability in the United States. Frist notes that with high risks and low profits, there are now only four major vaccine producers, and as a result, there was a shortage of eight of the recommended childhood vaccines this year. He writes, "Before Congress adjourns this year, we must take steps to stabilize our vaccine supply, improve market incentives by reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, and restore balance to the vaccine injury compensation program intended to compensate patients harmed by vaccines; and we must curb unnecessary lawsuits." Approving the "Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act" will be a step towards achieving these goals, Frist concludes.>>