Posted on 11/20/2009 4:23:24 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
ABC’s Robin Roberts on Thursday pressed a government official on rationing and a new recommendation that women under the age of 50 shouldn’t get regular mammograms.
Talking to one of report's authors, she chided, "Dr. [Thomas] Wilt, you know many are feeling that this is trying to save money, that this is a political move."
Roberts challenged Wilt, who is with the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force.
Although she didn’t specifically use the word rationing, the implication was clear: "You are an independent panel, but federally funded independent panel.
How do you respond to those who feel that this is nothing more than a cost-saving measure?"
On Wednesday’s GMA, the program featured a clip of Dr. Peter Jokich, of Rush University Medical Center. Making a similar point, he derided the report: "I think it’s totally ridiculous.
I may not be politically correct, but I think this is really about money and politics. It’s about the beginning of rationing care and I don’t think it’s really about the health of individual women."
In a follow-up question on Thursday, Roberts, who is a survivor of breast cancer, pointed out the organization’s own numbers don’t seem to support the change in screening recommendation.
She explained that mammographies for women between 40 and 49 prevented one death per 1904 person and one death per 1339 for females 50 to 59.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...
Every decision, large and small, will now be viewed with skepticism.
"Is this for medical reasons, or economic/political ones?"
Economic.....IMO
Frankly this is why people should pay for their own health care. If you feel something is worth while you can do it as you desire on your dime. All the problems come about when people want to spend their neighbors dime for their health care.
Whether your opinion is right or wrong, you now have to question your doctor, and your medical "experts".
WHAT business does the federal gov have telling people WHEN they can have medical care.
I thought Roe was about choice and personal control of our bodies.
This is about recommendations, not rules.
U.S. population estimates:
Females 40-49 22.5 million
Females 50-59 20.0 million
” This is about recommendations, not rules.”
Recommendations coming out shortly before the Senate votes on BO care?
Govt panels comprised of beancounters will use these recommendations to establish care levels.
When it’s personal then it’s a different story, eh Robin!!!
Much like Chris Wallace is outraged by the thought of rationing health care for the elderly.
If a woman performs a self breast exam (against new recommendations) and finds a lump, will she be denied coverage for diagnostic testing to determine pathology of the mass?
Thats 11,817 women between 40-49 and 14,937 women between 50-59 who will probably die under this recommendation.
So 26,754 women as a minimum.
The uninsured cost of a mammogram is about $120. Over a period of 10 years (40-49) that's $1,200. So the cost per prevented death is a bit over $2 million, by those figures.
The government has decided that it's cheaper to let the women die.
This is going to turn out to be the biggest goof the Obama Administration has made regarding people's atitudes towards government-run healthcare.
“will she be denied coverage for diagnostic testing to determine pathology of the mass? “
Look to Canada and England for that answer.
Yes, but she may eventually be able to get it. In about months if she doesn’t have any other risk factors that the govt can use to delay care.
The problem is insurance companies will take the recommendations and deny payment for the services that the “committee” says aren’t necessary. It’s a slippery slope.
Sorry that should read
Yes, but she may eventually be able to get it. In about 18 months if she doesn’t have any other risk factors that the govt can use to delay care.
And that recommendation has caused mammograms for women 40-49 to get a C rating. Which means it would not be covered.
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