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C iYmnunization Program - Draft Legi!slation The i,mmunization of chiPAren agaiinsx dliisease has been an iimportant factor in the improved health status of Americans. Recent news articles i,ndicate that ` the rate ofimmunizationi may be.dropp.in'g, with.a concommittent, increase. ih infectious diseases, particularly among, children, Provusiions for federal assistance for state i'mmunizati',on programs already exist under the P'ublic Heallth Service Act, but appropriations levels have tradiitionallly been low. HIEW has recently announced an expand'ed.effort in the area of immuniization, but any such move is limited:to the present provisions of llao-n The AMA, is al'soo invollvedl in a pubtic campaiign to encourage immunizatiions for chilldren. The attached draft bill' would provide Federal' funding to states having ay mandatory immun7zation law meeting the standards set forth in the bill'. The funding woulld take the form of a Federail share of'tha costs of such a state program. This share coulld be anywhere from 25-100 percent. It is fel't that this mechanism would'' funnel additional money into these programs and would al'so encourage states not having mand'atory laws to enact them.. 4F