HHS Sec.Sebelius statement helpful

onell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Contact: HHS Press Office

(202) 690-6343

SEBELIUS STATEMENT ON NEW BREAST CANCER RECOMMENDATIONS

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued the following statement today on new breast cancer screening recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:

"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.

"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."

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

AnnNYC

I'm glad to read that -- thanks for posting it, onell.

Reneepals

This entire task force recommendation is immoral.

stephanie1

guess I am a cynic. So what I read is the government doesn't listen to the task force but private insurance does, however she would be surprised if they changed their policy. Not that they WON'T or CAN'T.  

Sounds like a marketing tool for the public option.

Here they come to save the day

everyminute

I must be an idiot - I went on the hhs.gov site and couldnt find the statement.

Reneepals

Stephanie that is exactly the way I read it.

HelloFromCT

Stephanie and Reneepals...I totally agree.  They will swoop in and 'save the day'....for now.  But I have no doubt that this will become the standard with the new 'health' plan.