Mammograms

» Posted by Rick Creasy on Nov 18, 2009 in Healthcare Reform, Pharmaceutical Industry, Politics | 1 comment

The USPSTF, (United States Preventive Services Task Force) a panel of independent medical experts but part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, said it was recommending against annual mammograms for women between the ages of 40 and 49, saying the risks outweighed the benefits from earlier screening. That …announcement, which goes against a trend of recommending increased screening by cancer agencies, has left many confused. This is especially true since the American Cancer Society and the ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) disagree with the recommendation.

Now honestly, If you are a woman reading this, how do you feel about the recent recommendation by the government panel of “medical experts?” Guys, how do you feel about your wife, mother, or other significant female in your life not getting mammograms early? And by the way dudes, your PSA (blood test for prostate cancer screening) will be next to undergo scrutiny. If you feel ok about it, or good about it, then you’ll love the new government run healthcare plan about to be passed by the senate (already passed by Pelosi’s house.) This is exactly a preview of what is going to happen. A panel of “medical experts” will come up with some type of health or medical related recommendation to disallow this test, or that procedure, or decrease this diagnostic work-up, can’t prescribe this medication because it’s too expensive, not on the government run drug formulary, can’t have this treatment because, because, because…..And if you’re a doctor right now you must be shaking in your boots. The first time you abide by one of these “panel’s” decisions to cut corners with a diagnostic test and the patient develops a malignant tumor, in march the trial lawyers (sorry Clint and Lewis and Scott) to pluck the rewards of negligence and medical malpractice. How’s that hope and change working for ya?