November 18, 2009
Secy Sebelius & Ann Curry (video)
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius put out a statement today to counteract the nuts at the Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), who decided less screening is better preventative medicine for women age 40-49.
Cost-benefit analysis. How many lives saved vs how many dollars wasted on the statistically non-sick.
And why are women being told to stop examining their breasts?
Because if they find a lump they’re just gonna get all hysterical and cost the insurance companies money.
barry’s looking for a way to not have to pay for healthcare and $100 x women age 40-49 x 10 years is worth funding studies and putting together a task force.
Secy Sebelius:
There is no question that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country. I want to address that confusion head on.
The U.S. Preventive Task Force is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don’t determine what services are covered by the federal government.
Truth: USPSTD is under the Dept of Health and Human Services. The task force’s recommendations are considered the “gold standard”. Who are they? Academics, insurance companies, HMO and of course the CDC, who seems to be everywhere lately. Not a single cancer specialist – breast or otherwise.
Secy Sebelius:
There has been debate in this country for years about the age at which routine screening mammograms should begin, and how often they should be given.
The Task Force has presented some new evidence for consideration but our policies remain unchanged.
Indeed, I would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed its mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action.
What is clear is that there is a great need for more evidence, more research and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect, and fight breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important life-saving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years — talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you.
Don’t need a task force for that. Just a co-pay.
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